Reviewed by James Karas
Toronto Operetta Theatre offers its third production of Sigmund Romberg’s The Student Prince after a nine-year absence since its last showing. It is a creditworthy effort on the 100th anniversary of the operetta’s opening. The 2015 production was performed five times but this year’s staging will get a paltry three showings. What is happening to operetta productions in Toronto these days? More below.
The current production has some fine spots but also some hiccups that affect the overall enjoyment of the bright piece. The operetta is lively, often funny, and full of romantic, boisterous, melodious and wonderful songs. It is operetta as it should be.
We are in the country of Karsberg where the young and handsome heir to the throne Prince Karl Franz (Xavier Flory) is preparing to go to the University of Heidelberg to finish his studies. His future is laid out for him. He will become king upon the death of his elderly grandfather and will marry Princess Margaret (Minerva Lobato) to whom he is already betrothed.
He is accompanied by his bossy valet Lutz (Karen Bojti), his humane tutor Dr. Engel (Ryan Hofman) and will be visited by the Prime Minister von Mark (Sebastien Belcourt) when necessary. The Prince feels that he is under surveillance all the time.
But life as a student in Heidelberg proves to be a riot. At The Inn of the Three Golden Apples he meets other students including members of The Saxon Corps who drink, sing and lead a riotous life. The colorful Ruder (Sebastien Belcourt again) is the keeper of the inn and he has a toothsome and fetching niece called Kathie (Brooke Mitchell) who catches the Price’s heart. Between the members of the Corps and the staff of the Inn there are opportunities for student shenanigans and a serious bout of inebriation and entertainment for us.
The Prince’s betrothed shows up at the inn with her snooty mother, Duchess Anastasia (Carrie Parks) but our hero is in love with Kathie and plans to elope with her. But the king dies and he is summoned to Karlsberg and the reality of having to become king. He does and his plans to elope with Kathie are unraveled. Princess Margaret is not too bad, he decides and it is time for him to settle down and the audience to go home.
The original tenor became ill and had to be replaced on five days’ notice by Xavier Flory. Aside from some missteps, he does a fine job in the role especially considering the short time he had to learn the role.
There were several cast members who unfortunately did not enunciate to the point where we could not follow what they were saying. Director Guillermo Silva-Marin had some difficulty getting out all the humour of the operetta. Lutz, the students and some of the servants could have been used for more laughs which simply did not materialize. Silva-Marin usually interlopes jokes about current politics but this time there was only one about Justin Trudeau.
Kudos to conductor Kate Carver who conducted the tiny orchestra and the action on the stage meticulously and enthusiastically.
What is happening to the production of operetta in Toronto? In the program, TOT describes itself as Canada’s lyric leader bringing classic operettas and related musicals to us. It is in its 40th year and that is a major achievement. Credit is due to the tireless Silva-Marin who almost single-handedly manages to continue entertaining us despite some obvious financial issues.
The first operetta I saw was The Mikado in 1974 with the
inimitable John Reed at Sadler’s Wells in London. I was hooked. Most European
countries have productions of operettas as part of their cultural life. Why is it
not catching on in Canada?
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The Student Prince by Sigmund Romberg is being performed on November 1 ,2 and 3, 2024 at the Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario. Tel: (416) 366-7723. www.stlc.com or www.torontooperetta.com
James Karas is the Senior Editor, Culture of The Greek Press
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