After posting my comments earlier in the month about the lack of significant performing arts events at the Genesee Theatre, I certainly couldn’t ignore THIS article (published by Pioneer Local):
“That hope of creating a new holiday tradition for Lake County is one reason why the Waukegan Park District decided to hold its first Do It Yourself Messiah Saturday [12/22/07] at the Historic Genesee Theatre. Filling the stage will be the 65-member Waukegan Symphony Orchestra, the 80-voice Waukegan Concert Chorus and four soloists.”
Naturally, I had to attend! On that cold, drizzly Saturday evening, I drove to downtown Waukegan, parked at the recommend multi-story parking garage just a half-block from the theatre, and purchased my ticket at the Box Office. On my way through the Lobby, I passed the table where copies of the score for “Messiah” were being sold for those without their own; though there were copies in the hands of most of the attendees, business still appeared brisk at the table.
The interior of the Genesee Theatre was, as always, absolutely stunning. General seating allowed groups to sit together as desired. As expected for a “first time”, the theatre was not filled to its capacity of almost 2,400. After giving a quick perusal at the Intermission, I estimated approximately 600 in attendance. I later contacted the Waukegan Park District (organizer of this event) and found out that almost 700 tickets were scanned. The stage was filled with instrumentalists and singers, backed by a plain white screen, which picked-up some of the color from the various spot-lights. It remained that way during the entire performance. (Some thoughts on that below… )
Promptly at 7PM, Michael Kleinerman (concertmaster for the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra) entered the stage to tune-up the musicians. This was followed by the entrance of the four soloists, and Maestro Blackwelder, all to generous applause. The Maestro spoke briefly to the audience prior to beginning the first piece. Part of his comments addressed Joseph A. Favero, a former Wakegan Park District Commisioner, to whose memory this concert was dedicated.
Just to make sure the audience was ”ready to go”, Maestro Blackwelder led the orchestra, chorus, and audience through “And The Glory Of The Lord“, the first “sing-along” part. I had a flash-back to earlier performances I did of this piece, in the choruses of the Virginia Symphony and Charleston Symphony… the smile remained on my face for the rest of the evening. The Orchestra was in fine form for this performance, with only a few stray spots by the French Horns. The String section was exceptionally solid this evening. Likewise, the Chorus was also very secure in this piece. Given that the audience was instructed to rely on the Chorus… this was a good thing indeed!
Tenor William Watson was the first solist, doing a fine job with “Comfort Ye My People” and “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted“. There was a visible and audible reaction from the audience when Bass James Martin first sang; it appeared that he kept the audience’s favor for the entire piece. Soprano Kathryn Kemp, and Mezzo-Soprano Jessye Wright both sang expressively (and without straining, for which I thank the Genesee for an excellent job with the sound system… it really let the soloists’ talents come out).
From my seat, I could hear the amplified Chorus from the front, and the majority of the audience singing to my rear, so I had a constant picture of how the audience was doing. It was quickly obvious that the majority of the audience were “Messiah” veterans, so I was able to enjoy the added richness of hundreds of voices, making their entrances on key (as a rule) and on time (Sopranos were the best on this, Tenors seemed to have the least confidence here). Participants were significantly challenged by the coloratura Melismas throughout the work (i.e.: “And He Shall Purify“), but based on the obvious experience in the audience… I’m sure a couple of run-throughs for practice could have tightened things up considerably.
Other than that, it was a pretty straight-forward (but enjoyable!) run through the sections, with an approx. 15-minute intermission. Like myself, many in the audience were “just getting warmed-up” by the end of the work, hoping that after the standing ovations and cheers that there’d be something of an Encore for desert. We weren’t disappointed, as Maestro Blackwelder and the soloists came back out on stage and led everyone through the “Hallelujah Chorus” one more time. I don’t know if enough tickets were sold to make it a profitable evening or not, but based on the reaction of those in the audience… I think Lake County has itself a new Christmas tradition!
Stray thoughts:
– Use the backdrop to project the seating layout: Suggested seating for singers was only indicated in the rear of the programs. Unless you spoke with an usher (not really needed due to “General Seating”), or really paid attention to the program booklet once you were seated, it could be quite possible to sit in a section designated for another voice part, or to be seated with the audience-singers (in front) vice sitting with the non-singers who just came to enjoy the performance. IF audience seating by voice type was really desired, there should have been more effort to communicate this prior to the start of the concert… especially since this was the first time many in the audience had been to such an event. Utilizing the plain white backdrop would have been PERFECT for this!
– It’s still a concert: Though very much a participative community event, at its heart it was still a concert. It was obvious (primarily in the first half) that some in attendance believed this to mean “informal” as well. Several of the audience were rigorously “shushed” for speaking on their cellphones during solos, or for chatting it up with their neighbors. The gentleman seated next to me had some obviously very-important (to him) business to conduct on his Blackberry, checking for incoming messages at least once per minute, and texting out several times. Each time he finished, he shut the case with a loud “SNAP!”… something about which he was apparently oblivious. I and the singers around me took to singing to/at him (including turning to face him) each time the immediate area lit-up with the glow from his gadget; for whatever reason, he did not re-appear for the second half. The entire issue might have been avoided had he, and his non-singing party of four, been seated per plan. Again, projected information about the evening on the back-drop prior to the start of the performance could have served as a gentle, non-intrusive reminder to all.
– Waukegan H.S. Choir: “Kudos” to the young men and women from the Waukegan H.S. Choir(s). Based on the number of H.S. jackets in the theatre, they were out in number. Being seated behind a large group and observing them throughout the performance, I have to say that they were among the best-behaved and most attentive in the audience. Well done!
– Family Piano Co.: As I recently wrote about HERE, Family Piano Company. (FPC) is a fairly-new business taking a gamble on downtown Waukegan. Well, they are “walking the walk”. In addition to paid ads in the Genesee program booklet, their cards were being handed out by ushers at the rear of the theatre after the performance. It turns out that FPC (and its new addition: Joplin’s Java and Ragtime Cafe), located just a few blocks from the theatre, are a perfect spot for an after-concert treat. I spent an hour there, along with several other audience members, enjoying delicious hot drinks, pastries, music and chatting with owners Alice Alviani (long-time Waukegan resident and member of the Waukegan Symphony Concert Chorus) and Mark MacLeod.
Lake County Performing Arts (LCPA) 
Weekend Arts
Posted by lakecountyperformingarts on May 19, 2009
What a gorgeous weekend to be out, sharing the arts with friends, family, and like-minded residents from throughout Lake County!
Sunday May 16 was “Customer Appreciation Day” at the Ravinia Festival Grounds in Highland Park. The day was filled with performances (including The Lincoln Trio), displays, food tasting, meet-and-greet opportunities, and an ongoing live broadcast from the scene by the wonderful folks at WFMT-FM.
A key draw for people attending was the ability to purchase tickets for the upcoming Ravinia season at a 20% discount; for the rest of the season, tickets purchased either on the day of the event or via phone, fax, mail or website will be subject to a surcharge.
The Ravinia season begins on Friday June 05 with a concert version of “Camelot”. The season continues with an outstanding lineup of national and international talent covering classical and chamber music, jazz, broadway, dance, and world music including long-time Ravinia favorites the Gypsy Kings.
Aiming for a slightly younger demographic, Sunday June 17 featured MYA’s 2nd Annual “Family Fun Fest” at Ft. Sheridan. This event also featured performances and display, but added auctions, instrument petting zoo, rides and more. Midwest Young Artists is the premiere youth music ensemble program in the midwest, a full-curriculum music school with a focus on chamber music.
MYA’s major summer offering is focused performing arts Summer Music Festival Workshops, allowing young musicians to establish a solid technical foundation with their instrument, explore important works written for their instrument, attend master classes and presentations by guest speakers, work in solo and chamber ensemble settings, and more.
We hope you were able to make it to either of the above, or to one of the many other performing arts events in Lake County last weekend!
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