"I hope you don't mind — I hope you don't mind, that I put down in words... how wonderful." Well said, Ewan. Although this particular vocal medley and, well, actually any vocal medley, were absent from last night's RWB performance, rhythm and beauty were aplenty.
Just the symphony, set and costumes were enough to make even the coldest heart melt and start believing in a love that begins to stew after one meeting and probably less than 3 minutes. The RWB literally kicked off their 70th anniversary season with an unforgettable, and likely record-setting performance. Advance ticket sales were sky-high, allowing the ballet company to pas de bourree on another two matinees, and the first night was a full house. Although I can't speak for everyone in my age group (though I will) I think it's fair to say that this is one of the most trendy and anticipated shows for our age group ever to grace the Centennial Concert Hall in our lifetimes.
I really can't, however, use my relationship with the movie Moulin Rouge as a baseline, because I know it is far from the norm. (I know each vocal sequence by heart and can harmonize from either side of the male/female duets...) But I will also say that European culture and especially bohemian Paris as a theme is generally a oui, oui! for most of us, too. (Even if you didn't cry for Satine or know the history of "The Red Mill.")
Which brings me to my only complaint for this post: Student-priced tickets (priced at about $30) were taken up so quick most of us missed them like you would miss the little green fairy if you tried to look for her the day after you drank absinthe. Gone were the tickets in a quick dissolve, and when the other two shows were added, I assume they were taken up just as quick.
I am grateful that my maja felt the desire to treat me to the eye candy, but I had originally had plans to go with two of my peers who had to back out because of the costliness. Because we young'ns are the future RWB spectators, and since it is an anniversary year, I question if they could have maybe done something out-of-the-box and philanthropic like adding a student night for only student-priced tickets. I venture the concert hall would've filled up, and I don't know if this would've made them money or lost them money, but in the grand scheme I think it would've been a great way to 'hook 'em while they're young' and keep the RWB going another 3/4ish-century. (Side note: How fun would that have been!? And potentially less classy.. though most young people in the crowd on the first night were the ones who seized the opportunity to dress up.)
Anyway, that's my one suggestion box-type toss-it or keep-it. Now to the goods: Notable dances were the first can-can when you finally see the girls do the infamous dance the Moulin Rouge is credited for developing to the classic tune, and a well-choreographed dance-off/paint-off between two of the male leads, Toulouse and Matthew. These and the I-can't-overemphasize-how-awesome set and costumes almost made me forget to expect Nicole Kidman to swing out and break into a reworked vintage Madonna track, or expect Harold Zidler's bellowing creepiness. Shout-out: A friend I met in the summer working at a downtown restaurant was IN THE SHOW! She totally held her own and I confidently suggest we'll all be seeing a bunch more of her. Go Beth! Until next time,
"Come what may, Come what may. I love you, until my dying day," faithful reader. x's/o's
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