51.8 F
Wrightsville Beach
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Our thoughts

Must read

By Simon Gonzalez

The opening weekend of the new, opulent Cape Fear Community College Humanities and Fine Arts Center was a little uneven, to say the least.

On the plus side: the iconic Liza Minelli graced the stage at the grand opening gala, backed by a first-rate band that included superlative pianist and performer Billy Stritch, her longtime musical director; two performances by the talented, professional musicians of the North Carolina Symphony; and a touring production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” The organizers didn’t let the weather deter them and the show went on.

On the minus side: she might be iconic, but Minelli’s performance verged on the bizarre at times as she blamed the teleprompter operator for not being fast enough to put up the lyrics to songs she’s sung hundreds of times, told meandering stories that were difficult to understand, had to be reminded by Stritch to start one number with the first verse instead of the chorus, didn’t know whether to sit or stand, and departed the stage after singing her signature tune and show closer, “New York, New York,” without acknowledging the crowd. The threat of flooding might have kept home those who didn’t already have tickets. Add to this the facility had to be evacuated twice during the Monday evening performance of “Beauty and the Beast” when faulty popcorn machines set off the fire alarm.

Still, the opening night audience’s reaction to Minelli’s performance summed up how the local arts community feels about the sparkling new facility. They knew they were there for something special. It’s why they paid $225 per ticket, dressed in their finest, and were served champagne during the pre-event reception. Minelli might not have been at her best, but the patrons stood and applauded anyway as she exited the stage on the arms of two backup singers.

Was the ovation deserved? Based on the merits of the performance alone, maybe not. But for the potential and promise of the 1,559-seat theater, absolutely.

Minelli’s ovation was actually the second of the evening. The headliner departed the stage after singing a couple of numbers during the first set, and then the symphony took over. After principal conductor Grant Llewellyn, with the enthusiastic agreement of the orchestra members, gave a preliminary thumbs up to the acoustics of the nascent facility, he led the musicians in what he called a true test: a medley of selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera.”

It passed with top marks. A bright, clear note from a percussionist’s triangle tapped at the back of the stage could clearly be heard from the last few rows. Violins, violas and cellos were easily distinguishable. The playing was superb. Hence, the first ovation.

Growing pains are to be expected, especially in the first week. They can, and should, be overcome. What the first few days revealed, unarguably, is that we now have a state-of-the-art facility that can only enhance the arts in the Cape Fear region.

One man summed up the general feeling during intermission on opening night.

“Wilmington has needed this for a long time,” he said.

At least publicly, officials are downplaying competition between venues. Shane Fernando, director of the center, even gave a shout out to downtown neighbor Thalian Hall on opening night, referring to it as “our big sister.”

Before the gala opening, the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus has been the go-to venue for symphonic concerts, with the local symphony performing at Kenan Auditorium. Lest UNCW feel left out, Fernando pointed out that the university’s students were instrumental in getting the building ready, and the new facility will be a learning laboratory for both schools.

And while the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, under the able leadership of Steven Errante, will continue to perform most of its shows at Kenan, the ensemble is teaming up with Classical Mystery Tour for a special Beatles show at the fine arts center next March.

It seems to be more than lip service. The emphasis on complementing rather than competing is believable.

The Wilmington Symphony still will attract classical aficionados to Kenan. Thalian Hall will continue to do an excellent job of showcasing local and regional actors and musicians on its historic stage, while showing domestic, independent, and foreign films that aren’t available anywhere else in town.

And the glittering new showplace anchoring downtown Wilmington will bring in touring, national and statewide artists, acts and companies that previously — whether for logistic or monetary reasons — have given Wilmington a pass.

Opening-night and first-week glitches can and will be overcome. Can’t do anything about too much rain. Fire alarms won’t go off for every performance. Singers will know the words to their songs.

The standing ovation accorded Ms. Minelli as she left the stage indicates that most patrons feel they got their money’s worth. But anyone who didn’t can remember this:

Without the Cape Fear Community College Humanities and Fine Arts Center, an icon like Liza Minelli wouldn’t have been here to either delight or disappoint.

Previous article
Next article
- Advertisement -spot_img

More articles

- Advertisement -spot_img

Latest articles