 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MORGAN JAMESAEA
Reviewed by Paul Buhtanic "Morgan James is a very young and very pretty soprano whose vocal ability has a most impressive range/register, with nary an annoying trill or vibrato to upset the flow of her phrasings. Her voice is like liquid crystal, a tribute to her training at the Juilliard School. She can also act up a storm as the rather spoiled, romantic, petulant, and willful Nadina Popoff, the story's heroine who is engaged to a local hero."
Pirates of Penzance Tucson Weekly, Theater Ahoy, December 9, 2004
Reviewed by James Reel "The young heroine, Mabel, must be sung by a top-notch colortura soprano, and much of the music swirling around her would be perfectly appropriate for The Elixir of Love or Don Pasquale. And, yes, Mabel is sung here by a top-notch coloratura soprano, but first a word about the plot. The Pirates of Penzance are a minimally successful band of brigands; their sense of honor prevents them from attacking ships weaker than their own, and any prisoner can win immediate compassionate release by claiming to be an orphan. Young Frederic has been apprenticed to the pirates since childhood. (It was a mistake; he was supposed to have been sent to a pilot. ) Now he's 21 and about to be released to the wider world, where his sense of duty drives him to vow to eradicate the pirates from the English seas, however fond he has become of them. Furthermore, for the first time, he discovers the delights of pretty young women, and falls for Mabel, the daughter of the pompous Major General Stanley. How this all plays out is of absolutely no importance to one's enjoyment of the show; indeed, the conclusion of each act is incomprehensible, but who cares? Now, back to Mabel. She's portrayed by the marvelous Morgan James, whose voice is both light and athletic, like a gymnast, and who cuts a fine figure as an ardent yet proper young Victorian lady."
The Kansas City Star, 'Avast' Success, Saturday, October 2, 2004
Reviewed by Robert Trussell "As mabel, the maiden for whom Frederic falls, Morgan James turns in one of the most accomplished comic performances in the show; she gets laughs with economical gestures and facial expressions and possesses a stunning operatic voice."
Arizona Daily Star, ATC's 'Pirates' a silly, swashbuckling triumph, Sunday, December 5, 2004
Reviewed by Kathleen Allen "Morgan James, the young Mabel, opens her mouth to sing and awe takes over."
Tucson Citizen, Poor Enunciation sinks 'Pirates', October 12, 2003
Reviewed by Chuck Graham "Most beautiful of all was Morgan James as sweet Mabel, coyly falling in love with the reluctant young pirate Frederic. James has the kind of operatic voice that inspires poetry. But she is also blessed with a wonderful sense of humor. This frees her to use her remarkable human instrument for jaw-dropping vocal acrobatics that leave one smiling and awestruck at the same time."
The Tragedy Of Carmen, Two River Theatre Company New York Times, The Lovers Are Sizzling in Seville Again, Wednesday, December 8, 2004
Reviewed by Naomi Siegel "As Micaela, Morgan James sings with gentle lyricism."
New Jersey Star-Ledger, Taking risks has its rewards, Monday, October 06, 2003
Reviewed by Peter Filichia "Morgan James shows a shimmering soprano as Micaela."