THE SKYLIGHT PRESENTS

LA TRAVIATA
FEBRUARY 1 – 17, 2008

review by Ed Vincent

LA TRAVIATA
FEBRUARY 1 – 17, 2008

Milwaukee, WI (January 23, 2008)…The Skylight presents a Giuseppe Verdi masterpiece,

LA TRAVIATA, February 1 – 17, 2008 in the Cabot Theatre of the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 North Broadway located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.  This romantic opera comes just in time for Valentine’s Day and features an irresistible score and deeply human characters.  Tickets are on sale now.  Single ticket prices range from $15 - $54 and discounts are available for groups, seniors and students. 

LA TRAVIATA is a timeless tale of love, loss and reconciliation.  It has
been reinvented for the Cabot stage in a contemporary setting.  Violetta is a successful star who has reached the top of her career in the music scene.  World tours, top-of-the-chart singles and sold-out concerts do not make up for the years of compromise that she has put herself through.  Despite her success, she finds herself feeling lost and empty, that is, until she meets Alfred Germont.  Alfred is a handsome, young political hopeful following in the footsteps of his father on the path to the White House.  Alfred’s father convinces Violetta to break off this relationship in fear that her reputation will ruin them all.  Violetta agrees leaving Alfred feeling hurt and betrayed, so he seeks his revenge.  Romance, tragedy and broken hearts, it’s all here in LA TRAVIATA.

Skylight favorite David Gagnon (THE MIDNIGHT ANGEL) returns to play the lovesick Alfred, and Julianne Borg will make her Skylight debut as the beautiful Violetta.  Librettist of this new production, Dimitri Toscas, will also provide stage direction.  The Skylight’s resident Music Director Jamie Johns will serve as conductor.  The production team includes Scenic Designer Takeshi Kata, Lighting Designer Kurt Schnabel and Costume Designer Carol J. Blanchard.

The Cast for LA TRAVITA includes:

Artists:

Violetta (“V”)                                                 Julianne Borg

Alfred Germont                                               David Gagnon

Barin                                                               Matthew Hanscom

Anna                                                                Kristin Piefer

Nina                                                                Brianne Sura

Flora                                                               Nathan Wesselowski

Senator George Germont                               Andrew Wilkowske

 
David Gagnon as Alfred Germont, Julianne Borg as V and
Andrew Wilkowske as Senator George Germont
Photo Credit: Katherine Biehl

Production Team:

Librettist & Stage Director                             Dimitri Toscas

Conductor                                                       Jamie Johns

Costume Designer                                           Carol J. Blanchard

Scenic Designer                                              Takeshi Kata

Lighting Designer                                           Kurt Schnabel

Production Stage Manager                             Jennifer Soderblom

LA TRAVIATA is the perfect idea for a Valentine’s date.  Tickets, $15 - $54, are available noon – 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office, 158 North Broadway in Milwaukee, by phone at (414) 291-7800 or online at  www.skylightopera.com.
 LA TRAVIATA is proudly presented by Assurant Health.

WHO’S WHO:

JULIANNE BORG – Violetta “V”                                                                           

(Astoria, NY)

Julianne Borg makes her Skylight debut in LA TRAVIATA.  She has frequently appeared at the New York City Opera in such roles as Pamina in THE MAGIC FLUTE, Musetta in LA BOHEME, Michaela in CARMEN, Beth in LITTLE WOMEN and Gretel in HANSEL AND GRETEL.  Internationally she has sung in Nice, France, as Flaminia in Haydn’s IL MONDO DELLA LUNA, Tokyo, Japan, as Mimi in LA BOHEME and in Toulouse, France, as First Niece in PETER GRIMES.  Julianne appeared as Die Magt in Hindemith’s SANCTA SUSANNA with the New York Philharmonic with Ricardo Muti.  She holds degrees from Western Michigan University, the Peabody Conservatory and Yale University.

DAVID GAGNON – Alfred Germont                                                                  

(New York, NY)

David Gagnon returns to The Skylight after performing as John Lorimond in THE MIDNIGHT ANGEL and Belmonte in THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO.  Theatrical credits include Grendel Shadow in the world premier of Elliot Goldenthal’s opera GRENDEL directed

by Julie Taymor with Los Angeles Opera and Lincoln Center Festival, Nemoino in L’ELISIR D’AMORE at Cedar Rapids Opera, Camille in THE MERRY WIDOW and the Prince in THE STUDENT PRINCE both with Opera Columbus, Frederic in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Michigan Opera Theatre, Ferrando in the Gerogio Strehler production of COSI FAN TUTTE,  Enjolras in the Broadway production of LES MISERABLES, Jinx in FOREVER PLAID, Berlioz’s L’ENFANCE DU CHRIST and Lysander in John de Lancie’s MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM both with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

MATTHEW HANSCOM – Barin                                                                             

(Evanston, IL)

Matthew Hanscom holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University.  He has covered and performed roles at the Merola Opera Program, Central City Opera, Chicago Opera Theater and OperaModa. Roles include Alidoro in LA CENERENTOLA, Claudio in BÉATRICE ET BÉNÉDICT, FALSTAFF, GIANNI SCHICCHI, EUGENE ONEGIN, Gideon March/Dashwood in LITTLE WOMEN, Second Armored Man in DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE, Ben in THE TELEPHONE, Danilo in DIE LUSTIGE WITWE, and Scrooge in THE PASSION OF SCROOGE.  Awards include international finalist in the NeueStimmen International Singing Competition, semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and semi-finalist in Houston Grand Opera’s Eleanor McCollum Competition.

KRISTIN PIEFER – Anna                                                                                       

(Franklin, WI)

Kristin Piefer returns to The Skylight after performing as Antonia in MAN OF LA MANCHA, and as ensemble member in THE MIKADO and THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO.  Most recently she played the role of Olga in the Florentine Opera’s production of THE MERRY WIDOW.  Other roles performed include Maddalena in RIGOLETTO, Hansel in HANSEL AND GRETEL, 2nd Lady in THE MAGIC FLUTE and Marthe in FAUST.  Kristin received her master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Southern California and her undergraduate degree in vocal performance from Northwestern University.

BRIANNE SURA – Nina                                                                                         

 (Elkhorn, WI)

Brianne Sura returns to The Skylight after appearing as Lady Vera in PATIENCE.  She holds a master’s degree that she earned from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Other recent performances include Mother in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS with Milwaukee Opera Theatre and Dorabella in COSI FAN TUTTE with BASOTI in San Francisco.  Brianne was seen in three principal roles as a young artist with Nashville Opera in 2006.  She is a member of the Florentine Opera chorus and has also performed roles with Music By the Lake, St. Petersburg Opera, Madison Opera and La Musica Lirica.

NATHAN WESSELOWSKI – Flora                                                                    

(Milwaukee, WI)

Nathan Wesselowski returns to The Skylight after performing as Major Murgatroyd in PATIENCE.  He also recently composed the music for THE HAIRY MOTHERS, an original cabaret co-written with Jonathan West.  Other Skylight credits include ANIMAL CRACKERS, THE MIKADO, GIANNI SCHICCHI, MADAME BUTTERFLY, VIVA LA MAMMA and THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER.  Nathan has performed locally with First Stage Children’s Theater, Florentine Opera, The Fireside, Combat Theatre, and most recently as Pee Wee in In

Tandem’s holiday hit A CUDAHY CAROLER.  Nathan has also been seen with The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, Lyric Opera Cleveland and The National Opera Company.

ANDREW WILKOWSKE – Senator George Germont                                                                   

(St. Paul, MN)

Andrew Wilkowske returns to The Skylight after performing as Father in HANSEL AND GRETEL, the title character in DON PASQUALE, Bartolo in THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, Leporello in DON GIOVANNI and Strephon in IOLANTHE.  Other recent operatic credits include Papageno in THE MAGIC FLUTE with Eugene Opera and Indianapolis Opera, and the role of Noah in the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s THE GRAPES OF WRATH.

DIMITRI TOSCAS - 

Librettist and Stage Director                                     

(Valley Village, CA)

Dimitri Toscas returns to The Skylight where he assistant directed and performed the role of the Padre in MAN OF LA MANCHA.  Recent directing credits include SEUSSICAL, two productions of SWEENEY TODD, a critically-acclaimed LA BOHEME for Piedmont Opera, two productions of H.M.S. PINAFORE and a new production of

THE KING & I.  Toscas garnered recognition for writing, directing and designing productions at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank, CA, including original musical adaptations of “CINDERELLA!,” THE MAGIC FLUTE and an original musical version of THE LITTLE MERMAID, all commissioned and produced by celebrated film director Garry Marshall (“Pretty Woman,” “Princess Diaries”).  Toscas was an assistant director to Robin Jensen for the Education and Touring Department at Orlando Opera where he was also a resident artist for over five years.  He served on an Entertainment Task Force that developed new and innovative shows for Walt Disney World’s EPCOT.  Recent writing credits include “Playboy,” the Hugh Hefner bio-pic written by screen-writer John Robert Hoffman to be directed by Brett Ratner for Universal Pictures, “American Envy,” a television pilot for Showtime, and additional screenplay credit for the Animated Film “Igor” with director Tony Leondis for the Weinstein Company.

JAMIE JOHNS – Conductor                                                                                

(Milwaukee, WI)

Pianist/conductor Jamie Johns is currently the resident music director at The Skylight and a coach/accompanist with Florentine Opera.  Conducting highlights include THE MARRIAGE OF

FIGARO, CARMEN, ROMEO AND JULIET, THE CORONATION OF POPPEA and THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO.  Favorite shows in which Jamie has served as music director are THE LAST FIVE YEARS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, CABARET, ARCHY AND MEHITABEL, JACQUES BRIEL and THE WORLD GOES ROUND.  Accompanying Gary Briggle as Noel Coward, Jamie has performed in A TALENT TO AMUSE: AN EVENING WITH NOEL COWARD in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Sarasota and Sacramento.  Other companies that Jamie has worked for include Lyric Opera Cleveland, Orlando Opera and Milwaukee Opera Theatre.

CAROL J. BLANCHARD – Costume Designer                                                       (Chicago, IL)

Carol J. Blanchard’s costume designs were last seen in Milwaukee at First Stage Children’s Theatre in SEUSSICAL.  She has designed over 200 productions for companies such as Cleveland Symphony’s Blossom Opera, Champlain Shakespeare Festival, Victory Gardens Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre and The Silk Road Theatre.  Carol has been honored with both a Jeff and an After Dark Award.  

TAKESHI KATA - Scenic Designer                                                         

(New York, NY)

Takeshi Kata returns to The Skylight after designing CARMEN, THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO and MADAME BUTTERFLY.  His New York credits include THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW at Atlantic Theatre Co., ORSON’S SHADOW at Barrow St. Theatre, BFE at Playwrights Horizons, THE LAST SUNDAY IN JUNE for Rattlestick and Century Center, GONE MISSING at The Civilians, HAPPY JOURNEY/PULLMAN CAR HIAWATHA for Keen Company, ROULETTE at John Houseman Theatre, THE PAVILION and WHERE WE’RE BORN at Rattlestick and WOYZECK at Active Eye.  He holds a Masters of Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama and a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Ithaca College.

KURT SCHNABEL – Lighting Designer                                                              

(Milwaukee, WI)

Kurt Schnabel returns to The Skylight after lighting THE MIDNIGHT ANGEL, SOUTH PACIFIC, MAN OF LA MANCHA, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ROMEO AND JULIET and THE FANTASTICKS.  Favorite local credits include First Stage Children’s Theatre’s SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, Milwaukee Shakespeare’s THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and Bialystock & Bloom’s BAT BOY.

JENNIFER SODERBLOM – Production Stage Manager                                         

(Bayside, WI)

Jennifer Soderblom joined The Skylight 13 years ago excited by the opportunity to produce imaginative and innovative works.  With 64 productions complete, she has not been disappointed.  Favorites include SWEENEY TODD, TURN OF THE SCREW, BALLYMORE and CHICAGO.  Other theatre credits include a memorable season as a stage crew member with Santa Fe Opera, a stint as a stage movement teacher with Milwaukee’s First Stage Theatre Academy, and stage management with Opera Carolina, Kentucky Opera, New Orleans Opera and the Des Moines Metro Opera.  Jennifer received her Bachelors of Arts in Communications from Iowa State University and her Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

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