On Thursday, the SHSU School of Music presented its first showing of “Grand Theft Opera,” a presentation of two renowned operatic works centered around schemes, tension and debauchery. The production was written and directed by Sam Houston State’s director of opera, Rebecca Renfro.
The two-hour performance features scenes from both Joseph Haydn’s “La Canterina” and Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief,” highlighting the comedic, dramatic and musical talents of two distinct casts. Despite opera’s daunting reputation as a sophisticated and unrelatable art form, “Grand Theft Opera” strikes gold as a fun, well-crafted and heartfelt experience.
In the production’s first half, “La Canterina,” Gasparina (played on Thursday by Jennifer Jude Lopez) entertains the affections of two men: her singing instructor and benefactor, Don Pelagio (portrayed by Matthew Fulford), and a wealthy young man, Don Ettore (portrayed by Izabella Rojas, maintaining the long-standing tradition of casting a woman in the role). The two competitors fight over Gasparina’s hand as she extorts both of them for money and riches.
Apollonia, Gasparina’s mother and a driving force behind Gasparina’s actions, is typically portrayed by a male actor, but on Thursday, Emma Castello took the helm. Friday’s performance will see the role taken on by Devyn Santamaria, honoring tradition.
The second selection, “The Old Maid and the Thief,” centers around Miss Todd (portrayed on Thursday by Paula Swanson) and her maid, Laeticia (played by Alexandra Pierce), as a handsome stranger (Ryan Patterson) arrives at their doorstep. Hijinks ensue as the town gossip, Miss Pinkerton (Saniya Menzies), spreads word of an escaped thief.
The performers moved and emoted as if they had truly lived the scenes playing out, all with a thrilling musical flourish. This attention to physical performance allowed even the hardest-of-hearing audience members to take in the story and the characters’ personalities.
The production was also well-curated. Between the more traditional “La Canterina” and the pluckier, more modern “The Old Maid and the Thief,” there were many lies and scandals that supported some thrilling narratives. The language and format may feel out of time, but the human drama at the center of it was timeless.
What “Grand Theft Opera” proves is that the medium is more powerful than ever. The beauty and clarity of the performers’ singing only make the jokes funnier, the emotions stronger and the entire performance more captivating. Pianist Saule Garcia’s accompaniment, the only orchestration present, serves to underscore and support these voices, to incredible effect.
“The show was pretty interesting, SHSU freshman Eliana Santiago said. “I was locked in for all parts. I didn’t get bored once.” Sophomore Aylessa Wilkinson added, “They were very amazing. I loved how passionate they were on-stage.”
Fresh off a successful opening performance, director Rebecca Renfro shared her thoughts with The Houstonian.
“Projects like these are a labor of love and completely fulfilling for me and the students,” Renfro said. “We’re ready to do it again tomorrow night!”
“Grand Theft Opera” will run for two more showings: Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th, at 7:30 in the James & Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center’s Recital Hall. Find more information and tickets at https://events.shsu.edu/event/grand-theft-opera.
