Don Giovanni is considered one of the world’s finest operas.
Adam B. Levowitz has taken Mozart’s story and fused opera and rock to create a new version of the famous opera. He has replaced the orchestra with a rock orchestra. The libretto is in English. Supertitles are provided. The clarity of the voices of the cast makes these supertitles optional. The band is positioned at the rear of the stage. Thus, the stage itself is a narrow platform. There are no sets. The acting and voices of the characters work alone to move the opera forward.
Ryan Silverman plays Don Giovanni. His clear tenor uses songs such as “Let us have women, wine and laughter” to develop his character. It becomes clear that Don Giovanni lives to seduce women. Leporello is played by Richard Coleman. This is his off-Broadway debut. Coleman’s impeccable comedic timing almost steals the show. Dona Anna is played by Anchal Dhir. This is her off-Broadway debut. Dhir’s unhinged energy makes it clear that Dona Anna is consumed by revenge. Don Ottavio is played by Felipe Barbosa Bombonato. His superb acting portrays a man struggling between Anna’s demand for vengeance and his own humanity. Rachel Zatcoff is Dona Elvira. She portrays a woman whose emotions swing between a desire to maim and kill Don Giovanni and a simple desire for him. The Commander is portrayed by Edwin Jhamaal Davis. He has easily transitioned from standard opera to rock opera. His acting is reinforced by his rich voice.
Mozart’s Don Giovanni – A Rock Opera has modifications that bring the opera into the modern world. Unlike the original, there are no hints that Don Giovanni raped women. The libretto has been cut from three hours to ninety minutes. Adam B. Levowitz enjoys mocking the tropes of conventional opera. For example, when Don Giovanni is avoiding Elvira, he and Leporello switch cloaks. Leporello points out that this is “Another great idea. In an opera, what could go wrong?” When Elvira recognizes Leporello, he addresses the audience, saying, “This isn’t her first opera.”
This production offers a refreshing take on Mozart’s opera. Mozart’s Don Giovanni – A Rock Opera is a fascinating, fun, different view of Don Giovanni. Go, see it – and enjoy!
Warning – The Cutting Room is presenting this production as dinner theater. There is a $25.00 minimum food and drink charge.
