Word: caste
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Kathleen Battle, renowned for leaving a trail of ill will in her wake wherever she goes. Opposing her were the forces of decorum and rectitude, represented by Met general manager Joseph Volpe. The denouement was catastrophe. Volpe, citing "unprofessional actions . . . profoundly detrimental to the artistic collaboration among all the cast members," summarily fired Battle from this week's production of Donizetti's The Daughter of the Regiment and withdrew all future offers. In so doing, he set off grand international choruses of "It's about time...
Japan, with growth rates far out-stripping our own, and endowed with a huge trade surpuls, was cast as a country with a future, while America was depicted sinking amidst the decrepit wreckage of a glorious past...
Stage Directors Victor Chiu and Adam Hertzman deftly coordinated the large cast, balancing cute episodes such as Martin Lebwohl's (Frank) passionate dance with a coatrack with the ensemble scenes...
Essence McGill also extended the choreographical refinement of the production with drunken flamenco dancing, a matador pantomime, and Russian dancing which featured cartwheels and somersaults. Especially fun was the Finale of Act II, in which the entire cast pranced around a colorful maypole...
...cast is highly efficient in their portrayals, relying heavily on caricature and improvisation. Ouellette's Whitcomb is particularly hilarious, although the P.C. police might not be too happy with his characterization of the gay hairdresser. The roles are one-dimensional enough for the actor to concentrate on adlibbing and reacting to the audience's demands: so question goes unanswered, no remark unchallenged, no provocation dismissed...