The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (TWO MORE NIGHTS ONLY!)

A+

I had no intention of ever reviewing an opera, but I’m going to make an exception for this new opera that opened the Metropolitan Opera season. Knowledgeable friends raved about it so enthusiastically that I was kicking myself for not getting a ticket before its run sold out. Fortunately, it was such a hit that the Met decided to bring it back for a four-night run this week. I was afraid my expectations might be too high after all the praise, but they were not. If anything, it was even better than I expected. It’s a brilliant example of gesamtkunstwerk, a unified, all-embracing artistic experience, combining music (Mason Bates), libretto (Gene Scheer), set, lighting and video design (59 Studio), costumes (Jennifer Moeller) and choreography (Mandy Moore) into a thoroughly satisfying whole. It is based upon Michael Chabon’s novel about two cousins—Joe (Andrzej FIlonczyk), an artist/magician/escape artist from Prague and his cousin Sam (Myles Mykkanen), a copy writer for a New York toy company. After escaping from Prague in 1939, Joe moves in with Sam’s family in Brooklyn. In order for Joe to earn enough money to rescue his parents and sister Sarah (Lauren Snouffer) from Prague, the two cousins create a comic strip about an evil-fighting hero called The Escapist. It is such a success that it becomes a radio show. Sam falls for Tracy (Edward Nelson), the actor who plays the title role. Joe falls for Rosa (Sun-Ly Pierce), founder of a charity that rescues Jewish children from Europe. Let’s just say that many adventures follow, even an appearance by Salvador Dali. The leading performers were excellent and the minor roles were also well-played. The chorus was very effective. The production was ably directed by Bartlett Sher. This week’s performances are conducted by Michael Christie. Even if you are not an opera lover but just a theater lover, I urge you strongly to catch this remarkable production which only plays for two more nights, 2/20 and 2/21. Running time: three hours, five minutes, including intermission.