Word: tennessen
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Written in 1983, A Quiet Place has only been performed twice in the United States. One explanation might be that this unremarkable work is so difficult to stage effectively that it is hardly worth the effort. Music Director Jeff Tennessen admits in his program notes, rather suspiciously, that this particular production has "not been necessarily easy...
...major blame for this tedious production lies with Tennessen, who did an admirable job organizing a 60-piece orchestra, but does a less admirable job coordinating the actual performance. Short bursts of orchestral music which punctuate the vocals are invariably marred by sloppy entrances and exits. The players are tentative on softer passages and overpowering on louder ones. The off-stage chorus, microphoned in, is almost always off-balance and off-sync, and the vocal "jazz trio" is dull and lifeless...
Accompanying the imaginative text is the score by Jeff Tennessen, which succeeds admirably in conveying and supporting the moods of given scenes. Tennessen's vocal numbers are considerably less effective, and the motivation for song is not always clear. But Alison Weller playing Macha, the play's protagonist, does a fine job with her several songs...
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