teatrokimiko. pagmumuni-muni ng isang mang-aagham: Learning From a Diva [Master Class, POC]

“The theater isn’t made for trying. People don’t leave their homes to watch us try,” says Maria Callas in the play Master Class. And yet yesterday, a bunch of bloggers, myself included, braved Makati traffic to go to the RCBC theater to do just that: watch a full rehearsal of the aforementioned play staged by the Philippine Opera Company. What we saw, though, was as good as the real thing. It wasn’t Cherie Gil trying to be Maria Callas. She was La Divina.

Master Class is a Tony and Drama Desk-winning play by Terrence McNally about renowned dramatic soprano Maria Callas. It is set in the latter part of her career, where she teaches a series of master classes at the Juilliard School.

For me, the charm of the play is in the way it breaks the fourth wall: the audience becomes her students and the theater, the auditorium for her class. Callas refers to the crowd intermittently as she trains students who want to make it big in the world of opera. The play features some well-known arias, but the diva-antics of Callas are what are to look forward to.

Interestingly, the instructional nature of the material brings the play closer to the audience and makes it even more enjoyable. An expressive audience can, in a way, complete the show. The feel is indeed like a magisterial class with Professor Callas’s grip on us never slackening.

Although the material can be heavy towards the end, Cherie Gil handles the rich text exquisitely. Upon leaving the theater, my friend and I felt that we did learn a lot. More than the juicy details of the soprano’s life, it is her treatise on art and the discipline it entails that ultimately hits home. We couldn’t stop thinking of how commanding someone can be onstage.

Alongside her tips to the students (“You need to have a 'look'!” and “Always bring a pencil!”), Callas interjects past experiences. Gil’s deliveries of the asides are simply authentic and humorous. And then there are extended moments of sharing from the larger-than-life character, which feels like hearing showbiz gossip from an insider. We learn of her feelings towards other artists and, in finely written moments, her failed relationship with Aristotle Onassis. How her interactions with Onassis are played out are scenes one shouldn’t miss.

Fitting in perfectly with Callas’s exposition of art and drama, the play is filled with references to her history, particularly her romantic life. Going in with knowledge of her history with Onassis is a plus. The message of an aria sung, the characters Callas remembers, small comments on the plight of women and their strength— all echo a woman scorned. When she shares, “You will, in time, know how much suffering is in store for a woman,” we sense the pain masked by what she claims as German Mut- courage and audacity.

The play teems with quotes apt for the diva. Callas states an imeldific, “Art is beauty and you should be paid for it” and reminds us to “Never miss an opportunity to theatricalize.” That statement probably best summarizes Callas and the experience of seeing her brought to life by Gil.

“A performance is a struggle. You HAVE to win. The audience is the enemy- dominate them. Art is domination… For that moment in time… there’s only one voice— yours.”

Cherie Gil is something else in this production and definitely won this round.

Il Divina

Congratulations to the Philippine Opera Company and to director Michael Williams in advance for this staging. Thanks to Lorna (TheBachelorGirl) and Ms. Karla Gutierrez for the invite again.

Make sure you don’t miss Ms. Cherie Gil in what she deems as her most challenging role yet. Playing the students in her master class are Jack Salud as Anthony Candolino, Florence Aguilar as Sophie de Palma, Deeda Barreto as Sharon Graham, Ceejay Javier as the pianist Manny and Michael Williams in a cameo role as the stage manager.

MASTERCLASS will run at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza on October 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.

For block ticket sales please call Philippine Opera Company at 892-8786 and TicketWorld at 891-9999 or log on to www.philippineoperacompany.com