The Marriage of Figaro
Reviewed by David Kashimba
Photo by Jeff Thomas

 Once again Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma delivers an entertaining evening of true grand old opera. Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the comic opera, The Marriage of Figaro, treats us to a night of laughter and beautiful music as we follow Figaro (Jason Sarten), valet to Count Almaviva, into a night of deceptions meant to teach the count a lesson. The amorous count has a reputation of having his way with his female servants, but Figaro wants to make sure it doesn’t happen with his bride to be Susanna (Shawnette Sulker) who is the Countess’ (Bharati Soman) chambermaid.

The result is a comic array of deceptions that get so out of control that we can’t help laughing even harder as the story spins off into the absurd. At times you’re not sure whether you’re watching an old Marx Brothers movie or a great opera. What’s really marvelous is that you realize that you’re actually watching and listening to both, and that is the genius of Mozart.

But when it was first written, this opera, like others by Mozart, was very controversial because of the way it made fun of the rich ruling class and asserted the rights of servants.

Directed by Elly Lichenstein with musical direction by Nina Shuman, The Marriage of Figaro will have you kicking up your heals to a real classic. For tickets or more information call (707) 763-8920 or visit www.cinnabartheater.org.

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