A lively young cast has helped bring new life to the Los Angeles Opera’s latest production of “La Boheme.” The wonderful Puccini music and the tearful story of starving Bohemians will always be a crowd pleaser. The four artistic friends who live in an attic above the rooftops of Paris manage to convey a sense of cheery optimism despite their impoverishment.
This production by Herbert Ross was introduced back in 1993 and, unfortunately, it has not aged well. There is a claustrophobic feeling about the set. The rooftop of the opening scene was quite Parisian but the action takes place in a small room off to the side. In the second act, there is little space allowed for the boisterous high jinks at the Momus Cafe as dozens of extras are crammed together. The festive air of Paris on Christmas Eve is lost.
The two lovers are portrayed by Stephen Castello and Ailyn Perez. Married in real life, they are wonderfully believable. Castello shows great promise with a strong, mellow tenor voice while Perez, who started off slowly, improved as the evening went on.
The secondary couple of Musetta and Marcello is played by newcomers Janai Brugger and Artur Rocinski. They were a treat to watch and hear. Other important roles were handled neatly by Museop Kim as Schaunard, Robert Pomakov as Colline, Philip Cokorinas as Benoit and Ben Bliss as Parpignol.
The costumes by Peter J. Hall were heavily turn-of-the-century while the set was credited to Gerard Howland.
The Los Angeles Orchestra, under Patrick Summer, did not have its usual verve. It was unforgiveable for the music to drown out Rodolfo’s final, heart-breaking cry of “Mimi.”ores their confidence, gives them hope and brings them joy.”
Demers’ devotion to her students is evident through her willingness to take in those who need help. In 2005, she began caring for a young girl as a foster child who was in need of a home.
“That made me proud to see that I have a mother who was willing to give everything she had to make this young girl have a better life, and today I can say I have a great sister,” Karsten wrote to The Malibu Times.
Demers has also taught many special needs children over the years. In one nomination letter, the writer explains that Demers had one student with severe Asperger’s syndrome who found something reliable to be passionate about and became an accomplished rider thanks to Demers’ patience and guidance.
As for Demers, being named Mother of the Year has her feeling grateful.
“I am really very happy. I’m thrilled that people kind of acknowledged that I have done a lot for the community, even though I don’t have 10 children of my own,” Demers said. “I am just very honored that people recognized me.”
The Mother of The Year, Rosie Award is named after publisher Arnold York’s late mother, Rosie York. As Mother of The Year, Susan Demers will receive the following gifts, donated by sponsors of the Rosie Award: two bottles of wine from Trancas Vineyards, two tickets to “Viva Las Vegas,” dinner for two at BeauRivage Restaurant, movie tickets, a family portrait, a complete scrapbook kit, complimentary wine tastings and a deluxe car wash.
Additionally, Mother of the Year Rosie Award honorable mentions go to Ellen Shane and Dianna Ficklin. Shane is a mother of three daughters, one of whom is Emily Shane, the 13-year-old girl who was struck and killed by a car on Pacific Coast Highway in 2010. Shane has started the Emily Shane Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps children in need, in her daughter’s honor. Ficklin is a mother of nine. In a letter from her children, they describe her as “an amazing, talented and generous woman, who spends her life sacrificing herself, and finds her happiness in the joy she brings to others.”