Gondoliers holds no surprises, set to disappoint

A lack-luster show set to leave audiences cold

The Oberlin Gilbert and Sullivan Players' commencement production of The Gondoliers opens today for a run of five sold out performances. Troubled with the loss and subsequent replacement of several chorus members and a few leads, and at times crippled by orchestral problems, Gondoliers is issue-laden at absolute best.

The leads are certainly competent. Save for the Duke, played to the ultra-macho hilt by Professor Hugh Ferguson Floyd, the major roles are filled by voice majors in the conservatory. After playing Tybalt in last Fall's Romeo et Juliette and Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte last March, Conservatory junior John Roger finds dynamic new heights of character nuance in a performance so sublime, it is difficult not to weep. His counterpart, Jon Stinson, also a junior, lends a fine performance. He seemed at times to have difficulty grasping the full breadth of his character's inner struggle. His voice is robust and vibrant, blending well with those around him.

Their female counterparts, the brides of the gondoliers/kings are played by conservatory freshmen Maggie Heffner and Andie Robb. They are as bouncy and screechy as you'd ever want a pair of eighteenth-century (sort of) wenches to be, to say the least. Andie Robb is certainly a performer to be watched, she has an uncommon maturity on stage, and a voice well tempered by control and warmth with only occasional problems with shrillness. It seems Robb is poised for a bright future on the Oberlin Gilbert and Sullivan stage.

The ducal couple is comprised of Tiffany Tucker, conservatory sophomore, and Hugh Ferguson Floyd, Professor of Choral Music. Their extensive familiar banter and, quite literally, spanking, grows tiresome, especially because the audience often feels they're missing something. One of the things they may be missing, is a large part of Tucker's singing, which is at several points, inaudible. Also suffering from issues of volume is Conservatory freshman Charlene Wass in the role of the Inquisitor. In a small role, Inez, junior Lydia Steier presents a delightful old bag, characterized by a faltering step and similar center of pitch.

Conservatory Junior Kevin Moreno gives a wonderfully over-the-top performance as Luiz, much appreciated in a show that usually falls far short of any sort of top. This is especially notable for the fact that Moreno has only recently stepped into this role. He is coupled with Sara Holliday, double degree senior, whose performance is impressive, if only by the fact that she is the one member of the cast that never actually exhibits a single facial expression.

College sophomore Jennifer Spitulnik has some admirable ideas for staging, though her performers often appear ungrounded and seem to chronically form lines- a common stage taboo. Furthermore, Spitulnik's chorus work is sorely lacking. It should be noted, however, that the rehearsal process was incredibly rapid, and the chorus, for the most part, is new.

It is unfortunate that such a list of excuses and explanations are required for a commencement show. Each seat for The Gondoliers is setting some poor alumnus, or perhaps even your mom, back $14. There have been several productions this year of infinitely greater content, production value, and overall polish. Perhaps the Commencement Committee should investigate more comprehensive methods of selecting theater for this highly lucrative week, and perhaps the anticipated embarrassment of The Gondoliers will serve as impetus to do so.