Singer-actor Isaac Mancillas performs the role of “the defendant” April 14 during the UTRGV Opera Theatre’s performance of “Trial by Jury,” a comedic one-act opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W.S. Gilbert. Natalie Lapsley/THE RIDER PHOTOS
The smooth sound of college students singing vibrato filled the stage April 14 at the Texas Southmost College Performing Arts Center as the UTRGV School of Music’s Opera Theater presented “Intimate Entanglements: A Night of One-Acts.”
Most every seat was taken, but if you prefer to watch a performance from afar, I would not recommend interactive theater. Some members of the audience sat in a semicircle on stage, surrounding the performers.
With an eerie, almost haunting start, the instrumental ensemble made up of clarinet, violin and piano players worked together to start the performance with a thrill.
In comes the lead character in “April,” played by Xitlaly Garcia, bicycle in hands and gliding slowly across the stage.
In “April,” a woman named Lucy meets Peter, played by Ramon Curzio, repeatedly in a series of dreams set in different seasons. She must decide whether to tell him she loves him.
Even with the limited space the cast had onstage, their performance was nothing short of successful.
Pianist Kenneth Saxon, along with conductor Sean Taylor, clarinetist Jonathan Guist and violinist Maria Ochoa deserve a spectacle of their own to showcase their abilities after their remarkable performance.
Between each act and scene change, the crew came in and out, swiftly giving the whole production a sense of unity and cohesiveness.
“Thirst” was a tremendous metaphor, exploring the romantic partnership between “Jaqueline” and “Jill”and the unspoken tensions of a relationship in the “most realistic, magic and all,” way, according to the program.
Singer-actors Victoria Zamora and Xitlaly Garcia conveyed each emotion with their facial expressions, all while standing near the audience in the two-person, one-act play.
Singer-actors Angel Leal (from left), Isaac Mancillas, Victoria Zamora and Hector Duran perform “A Hand of Bridge,” a one-act opera by Samuel Barber. The UTRGV Opera Theatre presented “Intimate Entanglements” April 14 in the Texas Southmost College Performing Arts Center in Brownsville. The performance consisted of four one-act shows. Natalie Lapsley/THE RIDER PHOTOS
This performance had more dialogue than others, which helped guide the audience through its message.
The rich sound of the male cast in “A Hand of Bridge” was refreshing.
This act provides insight on the characters’ thoughts, whether it be the annoying and loud desire for a new peacock feather hat, or a deeper subject, such as love.
Despite the stationary scene, dynamics between the cast and plot was nothing of the sort. The subtle movements between the actors were noticeable and showed a full attention to detail.
Each character delivered. Whether that feeling was annoyance, compassion or sympathy, the cast transmitted it.
Both entertaining to watch and experience, this one-act play was not one to miss.
“Trial by Jury” was most energetic. The cast was lively and delivered each line with enthusiasm.
The show tells the story of a betrayal, when a man did not keep his word in a promise of marriage.
Defendant “Edwin,” played by Isaac Mancillas, disputes the union with plaintiff “Angelina,” played by Madelyn Cardoza, all while enduring the jury and its indisputable bias toward him.
The plot was clear and with each new voice that emerged enhanced the vocal ensemble.
Although the act could have gone without breaking the fourth wall, the audience enjoyed quippy comments and gestures from the cast.
Stagecraft was just right. The simple set and costume design for easy access and movement after each act proved most effective. Lighting and music was highly animated, elevating the performance and changing according to each of their emotions and moods.
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