Live Drama

We have seen some terrible movies in the last month. From the second Pirates of the Caribbean, Madagascar, Dukes of Hazzard, Elf, and most recently Open Season, it is has been a little slow on the movie scene. Now I hate going to the movie theaters so we watch a lot of movies at home. But the most recent ones seem to be terrible. And the one thing I've seen in the theaters, Iron Man, was fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone. So other than a couple movies we have really been lacking for visual entertainment. 

But this month I have been fortunate so see some fantastic live drama. I have been to the opera twice now and an outdoor community theater once. In the beginning of June we were in St. Louis to visit Jeff's family. His dad took us out to see Shakespeare in the Park. Now if you have never seen Shakespeare done outdoors you need to. There is something about a park setting that makes the experience so much more magical. I felt bad for his dad though. He had never seen Shakespeare done before, much less read much of the work. So which play do we get? Not Romeo and Juliet, not Macbeth, not even Hamlet. No, we saw Richard 3. Not a beginners play. Richard the third is so complicated that you really need an org chart to follow the family structure. It was a well done performance but I felt bad for Dad. 

Last weekend Jeff and I went to see Regina done by the Des Moines Metro Opera. My parents get season tickets and weren't able to use them. This is a modern operetta and is a lot of fun. I thought it was a very enjoyable show. But apparently that is because I have no idea how enjoyable they can be. Now I like Carmen and the Magic Flute, but the Elixir of Love is now my very favorite opera. This was an amazing show. I got to go last night with my mother. Beautiful voices, stunning set and costumes, and memorable music made for one of the best shows I have ever been to. I honestly hoped it didn't end. 

Elixir of Love is Donezzetti's work and is sung in italian. The Des Moines opera does supertitles so you can follow all the words. It is a fun story of man pining for a beautiful woman who isn't interested in him. He buys a magic love potion from a charlatan. (actually just wine) When the village girls find out that the young man has recently inherited a fortune they flock to him and he thinks the potion is working. The young woman becomes jealous and vows to win him. The show, of course, ends happily with the two of them together. I clapped so hard my arms gave out. Breathtaking. 

So I have been to the theater three times in one month. And I've enjoyed all of them. I have one more option for a show within the next month too. I have two friends in Minneapolis doing Oklahoma at an outdoor stage. Now I just need to talk Jeff into making the trek up to the cities again. I've already promised him golf and a casino up there. It might be incentive enough. But even if I can't go I'll have seen some amazing theater and found a new favorite opera. Ah the stage!!!