BWW Reviews: DAS BARBECU Concert Rocky But Still Golden

Wagner's "Ring" is back in town at Seattle Opera. Some say for the last time (at least as it is now) as Speight Jenkins is stepping down from the organization. So it's only fitting that the abridged twangy retelling the cycle, "Das Barbecu" make it's way back again. But unlike the productions in the past (like the most recent at ACT) this one is a bit trimmed down into a concert version (music in hand). But not to worry as the three night only run is still filled with hilarity and heart as the performers shine like some magic gold.

If you're unfamiliar with the story of "The Ring" well this show will take care of that ... kinda. It specifically deals with the fourth opera Gotterdammerung and takes some license with that as well as we're now at the Valhalla Ranch in Texas and the music has much more of a country bent. But the high points are still there. There's a magic ring of gold that keeps bouncing around back and forth between Wotan (John Patrick Lowrie), a one eyed philandering rancher and Alberich (Joshua Carter), a dwarf wanted by the law, much to the chagrin of Wotan's wife Fricka (Jayne Muirhead). But Wotan gives the ring to his Grandson Siegried (also Carter) who falls for the lovely Brunnhilde (Billie Wildrick), who's also Wotan's daughter, and gives the ring to her to show his love for her. But Gutrune Gibich and her brother Gunther (Leslie Law and Lowrie) also fancy the dashing pair for their own and devise their own schemes to get them to abandon each other and marry them. Got it? And there's so much more as these 5 performers also play river maidens, giants, and even the occasional psychic. It may sound confusing but they manage to get you through it without your head exploding.

Most of them vets from previous productions of the show, these five know how to entertain and keep the fun going. Yes, there were a few bumps in the road (I mean this is a staged reading so one can assume a short rehearsal process) but even the few hiccups are handled with grace and humor and only added to the fun of the night. Carter is perfect as the dashing rodeo Romeo Siegfried and his simple presentation of "Wanderin' Man" with Muirhead was absolutely beautiful. The same could be said for the touching rendition of "County Fair" from Wildrick and the powerful "River of Fire" from Lowrie. And as lovely as these were they each managed to switch on a dime onto the ridiculous comedy of it all along with Law and her hilariously sweet "A Little House for Me".

If you can't tell by now I'm a big fan of this show and this concert production doesn't lessen that affection in the slightest. Yes, it's a smaller scale than I'm used to but the cast along with director Richard Ziman and music director Mark Rabe does honor to the gem and keep the laughs big and boisterous and the charm of the piece in tact. If you've never seen it or even if you're a true fan like myself, you'll want to catch this one if you're lucky enough to get a ticket for the last two performances.

"Das Barbecu in Concert" performs at West of Lenin through August 14th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.westoflenin.com.

UPDATE: Due to popular demand, 2 performances added, Monday August 19th and Thursday August 22 at 7:30.

Photo credit: John Ulman

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