A Play: Master Class

Master Class

Timeline Theatre Chicago, Stage 773, Chicago, Nov 11, 2018,

by Maja Rios

“Master Class’, a play about Maria Callas teaching singing/life lessons, directed by Nick Bowling, and music directed by Doug Peck, with a great script by playwright, Terrence McNally, was a great embodiment by actress, Janet Ulrich Brooks, who totally became the opera diva character and real-life opera star. The play was mostly a monologue, directed to the audience, that felt totally spontaneous, sad, funny, and began by giving the attentive audience her philosophy of singing; what it takes to be a great opera singer. However, her principles would apply to singers in general of any genre.

“Projection” and “listening,” says Maria is most important; a singer must “serve “the audience and also have “guts” to do it well. “One hundred percent” concentration too. A singer must only focus on the music at hand.” Says Maria Callas to the audience and to the several actor/opera singers who one by one take her “masterclass’.

The three student characters Sophy, Tony, and Sharon all have vastly different personalities that she feels get in the way of being a great singer. First comes, Sophy, a prissy, meek, though sincere student in a white dress that is quickly put through the paces by Maria who stops her, after only a few bars of singing. She tells her that she is not “feeling” the music. The second student, Tony is overconfident and too aggressive, but he is also shown how he can improve. Finally, the character of Sharon, an African-American opera singer, has diva attitude but holds her own and turns the tables on Maria for her critical comments, all three though succumb to Maria’s advice, as they know they are in the presence of greatness. Finally, the wonderful live opera singer and pianist, Manny, back up all the

Master Class

singers with great beauty of playing. All singers appear to be real life great opera singers that sing texts from Tosca, Lady Macbeth, and other opera passages. For 2hours we are transported to Maria’s Masterclass in a large but intimate theater at Stage 773.

The Maria Callas character goes on to give her life philosophies, that people are mostly plotting a singer’s downfall and consider an artist a “freak” Audiences are filled with envy, malice…she states. –while the singer has to “show our heart” to the world.

The “students” are but minor characters compared to the mostly monologue dominated role of Maria, but this makes for a never boring drama, which attests to the great script by Terrence McNally. We hang on every word of advice she gives. After all, it is all about “Passion” she teaches her students and audience as well.
Even the character of the prop and “water boy” who waits on Maria’s every need during her class is well-acted.

A Must-see! The play runs on weekends through Nov 23rd.