Belmont
High School PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY
Presents Amadeus by Peter SHAFFER
What happens when mediocrity
recognizes itself in the face of genius–especially when genius comes in the
form of a potty-mouthed former child prodigy? The Belmont High School Performing Arts Company, under the direction of
Liz Smith, presents AMADEUS by Peter Shaffer on Thursday,
November 13, Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 15 at 7 pm in the
Belmont High School Auditorium, 221 Concord Avenue.
One of the most acclaimed and
popular plays of the 20th Century, AMADEUS has been honored with five Tony
Awards, eight Academy Awards, extended London and Broadway runs, and sold-out
performances when it was revived in the late 90s. Set in Vienna in 1823, court
composer Antonio Salieri tells his story through a series of flashbacks to
Vienna 1781-1791. The play digs deeply into the psyche of Salieri as he
struggles with the growing genius of a younger Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. As
Salieri’s jealousy builds, his relationship with Mozart becomes the
battleground of the envious composer’s strife with God. This contemporary
classic looks at this tortured relationship and the notion that divine
greatness doesn't always fall to those whom society would consider worthy.
In portraying 18th
century Vienna, the PAC is thrilled to be able to present a play that is rich
in visual and musical style. “The
music,” says Smith, “Is a central
character in the play and a crucial element in the storytelling.”
“One of the challenges,” adds Smith, “is intertwining the dialogue and
action onstage with Mozart’s music.” AMADEUS incorporates some of Mozart’s most
admired music including the Serenade for
Thirteen Wind Instruments, the operas The
Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni, and the Requiem Mass. Sean Landers, Choral
Director at BHS, assisted with the sound design by providing recordings of all
26 pieces of music required by the script.
The historical costumes have
provided another challenge as the student actors are practicing to walk, talk
and dance with heavy and hot period costumes, including corsets, and rather
itchy wigs! “The students are learning fast,” says Smith, “and are using many
of the pieces during rehearsal to get used to them. No one wants a wig
slipping, or even worse, falling off in the middle of a dramatic scene!”
For the actors who performed in
Much Ado About Nothing last year “this is a complete contrast and many are
saying it’s much easier to memorize the dialogue. On the other hand they also
find that the character development is tougher since the actors are portraying
real people,” said Smith. Many of the characters in the play required extensive
historical research by the students.
