A Dangerous Beauty Invades Pasadena Playhouse

Dangerous Beauty
book & verse by Jeannine Dominy
music by Michele Brourman; lyrics by Amanda McBroom
directed by Sheryl Kaller
Pasadena Playhouse
through March 6

"Freedom is a fool's illusion" prove wise words for the life of a courtesan in 16th century Venice as it affects Veronica Franco (Jenny Powers) in the premiere of the new musical Dangerous Beauty at the Pasadena Playhouse. Lush sets and costumes, a lovely contemporary operatic score and fine performances catapult this scintillating venture into corruption to a captivating height.

At its zenith of power as the play opens, Venice manifested excess in lifestyle with money, power and sex on the minds of all citizens, prime among them senators and clergy. When young impoverished Veronica Franco is spurned by her lover Marco Venier (James Snyder), son of wealthy Senator Pietro Venier (John Antony) in favor of marriage to a wealthy Guilia de Lezze to preserve his family name, at her mother's (Laila Robins) suggestion, Veronica becomes a courtesan. Following in her family's footsteps, so to speak - with mother and grandmother also courtesans before her, Veronica sees a chance for a woman to be educated as well as to become rich and powerful, and quickly rises to the position of most sought after courtesan in Venice. Marco becomes jealous, wants to win back his true love, as his wife is a failure as a lover, and proceeds to woo Veronica once again.

 

War ensues between Venice and the Turks, Veronica betrays Marco by sleeping with a Frenchman to get ships for Venice, and Venice eventually falls to plague and destruction. The Inquisition seizes control of the city and Veronica is accused of witchcraft. Marco, back from the war, rushes to her defense and in time she is freed. At play's end, Venice lies in ruins but Veronica's uncompromising truth wins for her and for all women of her stature newfound adulation. She finds emancipation, but this judgment, as with any honor, has not arrived without paying a high price.

The cast and creative team of this production are astounding. Brourman's and McBroom's music is gorgeous, direction by Sheryl Kaller top notch and the acting divine. Jenny Powers as Veronica is amazing at every turn; she remains a tower of strength and sings beautifully. Her final scenes are exhilarating. Snyder as Marco Venier is at once seductive, honest, sincere and riveting and an equally magnificent singer. Megan McGinnis as Marco's disillusioned married sister Beatrice is sweet and lovely; Robins cunning yet forthright as Veronica's mother; Michael Rupert gentle as Marco's uncle/poet Domenico; Morgan Weed appropriately envious yet sympathetic as Marco's wife Guilia. Bryce Ryness as Marco's cousin Maffio, the bitterly unhappy bard offers a tour-de-force performance as the despiccable, pitiless soul, who out of emptiness joins the ranks of the Inquisition.

Some choreography (Benoit-Swan Pouffer) is overzealous, especially in the opening where less movement in the background would be more. Set by Tom Buderwitz, costumes by Soyon An and lighting design by Russell H. Champa are all lushly elegant with just the right amount of excess for the period.

Dangerous Beauty is a very rewarding, compelling and fulfilling evening of theatre. It reminded me of a female Man of La Mancha where a strong woman rises supremely above all obstacles in her struggle to find her rightful place in society. Brava!