Master Class

Master Class - a play set in real time. A play based around music. Most of which I don't know. I wished I knew opera to know this. The passion that the characters feel towards music is touching.

The master teacher is a famous opera singer, tutoring students in how to sing. When they sing, she hears herself, her former glory. She's fallen out of favor in the opera world, and the reason why is both inspiring and heart wrenching. She is sweetly detached and batty with her students, the fluttering bird, the diva you always imagine a soprano to be.

Her students are intimated, flustered, and trying to do their best. The accompanyist is struggling, and always, she urges more passion! More passion!

Seen onstage, this play would have entranced you. On paper, it's flatter, harder, not as much fun.

I've decided that Terrence McNally needs to be done onstage to be truly effective. Not quite as good on paper, alas.