MASTER CLASS by Carol Kaufman Segal

            Master Class, by Terrence McNally, opened the inaugural season of the Garry Marshal Theatre (formerly The Falcon Theatre), that focuses on the persona of celebrated opera singer, Maria Callas.

            Callas began taking singing lessons at the age of 14 and eventually became a renowned opera singer in the United States and Europe.  After her successes, she was called La Davina.  But it did not too long for this diva to become a prima donna resulting in her being let-go from many performances.  Eventually, she gave up the stage.  She later tried a comeback, but after suffering from vocal problems, she set up Master Classes at Julliard, which is the basis of this production.

            Emmy-award-winning actress, Carolyn Hennessy, performs the role of this fascinating and turbulent woman who spares no humility, no warmth, no tact, and no patience, as she works with three wanna-be opera stars.  Though she is “callous” with her students, her concern is for the art and she is extremely demanding.  Hennessy’s performance of Maria Callas is profound and so realistic as to feel as if one is actually seeing this marvel of a woman in person.

            The students who come to Callas’s Master Class are First Soprano, Sophie de Palma (Maegan McConnell), Tenor, Anthony Candolino (Landon Shaw II), and Second Soprano, Sharon Graham (Aubrey Truillo Scarr).  Despite the criticisms lashed out at them by Callas in this production, it is obvious these three performers are gifted with marvelous talent, as is Roy Abramsohn (the piano accompanist, Manny).  The Stagehand is performed by Jeff Campanella.   Astute direction is by Dimitri Toscas

            Master Class plays Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM, through Oct. 22.  Tickets are available by calling (818) 955-8101, or online at GarryMarshallTheatre.org.  The theatre is located at 4252 Riverside Drive in Burbank.              

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