Review: LA BOHEME at Des Moines Metro Opera: A Breathtaking, Beautiful and Tragic Production

In 2002, I was indirectly introduced to La Bohéme. My introduction came when I was introduced to a musical that had come out and became a phenomenon on Broadway just 6 years earlier. The show quickly became a favorite musical of mine and showed me the impact that theatre can have on people. Since then I've seen Rent multiple times, but did not get the opportunity to see a production of La Bohéme until Des Moines Metro Opera's production, which opened on June 28. While it would be easy to talk about all the influences La Bohéme had on Rent, I'm going to do my best not to, and to focus on this breathtaking production.

Before we get too far, I want to thank and commend Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) for the pre-show talk they gave before the evening's performance of La Bohéme. I found this to be very informative in explaining the time period the show was written in as well as the different musical influences Puccini had as he wrote his operas. It also explains why La Bohéme has become, for many people, one of the first operas they see due to its accessibility. When you go to see La Bohéme make sure you arrive early enough to attend this pre show talk.

The story of La Bohéme starts with Marcello and Rodolfo discussing how cold it is. Rodolfo decides to use the script he wrote to start a fire in their stove. Soon their friends Colline and Schaunard arrive with some food and money. Schaunard explains he made this money by playing his violin to a parrot until it died. He then tells the other men that they should save the food and go out to celebrate at Café Momus. After tricking their landlord Benoit, who shows up to collect the past due money he is owed, Colline, Schaunard and Marcello leave Rodolfo to finish the piece he is writing. As he begins to write, he is interrupted by a knock at the door. Mimi enters asking Rodolfo to light her candle. They quickly fall in love and Rodolfo asks Mimi to join him at Café Momus. While at the café, Marcello's former girlfriend Musetta shows up with a wealthy gentleman. Seeing Marcello, Musetta decides to trick the older gentleman to leaving so she can be with Marcello. When the bill arrives, and they can't pay, Musetta gets the waiter to put both the bills together and give them to the wealthy gentleman when he returns. Then Musetta and the others leave the café before the gentleman returns. As the opera continues we see how the character's deal with love and loss, and eventually to a tragic ending.

While the story of La Bohéme is beautiful by itself, you still want to have a production that reflects this beautiful story. DMMO has done that through the breathtaking set, the beautiful costumes, and amazing performances that help the audience relate to each character. Each of these elements woven together is a treat the audience and makes this one of my favorite DMMO productions to date.

Robert Little's scenic design does a tremendous job of weaving each of the locations in the show together to tell a cohesive story. The first place we are taken to is the garret that Marcello and Rodolfo share. The massive, yet intimate garret draws the audience into the show. After a short break between act 1 and 2, we see Little's breathtaking Parisian street. Each store or restaurant on the street is so intrinsically detailed. When combined with the costumes from Malabar, LTD, was one of the most breathtaking moments of the evening. The audience in attendance gave a round of applause at the top of Act 2 when these elements appeared together. The third and final location Little takes the audience to is an inn on the outskirts of Paris. The minimal set used in this scene, while detailed, lets the audience focus on the relationships between Rodolfo and Mimi as well as Musetta and Marcello. Each of these sets is weaved together by a beautiful cobblestone floor on the stage.

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