In
Itamar Moses historic farce, we are at a sort of American Idol contest in 18th
century Germany where a group of illustrious classical organists have assembled to audition. Since
half of them are named Johann, and all are avowed enemies, there is a lot of
confusion and whispered intrigues. However, one needed a deep knowledge of history to
appreciate the drama and, personally, I was non-plussed.
Not
being a classical music aficionado I felt baffled by the in-jokes and historic
references that hopefully had meaning to other audience members. Where was the
Johann of the title? A chubby guy with white curly hair did prance through a
few times, but it was left for us to surmise this was the great musician
himself. 
Now
for the fun part. The actors were marvelous and having a great farcical time, led
by Chris Winfield and Larry Eisenberg, who smite and parry at each other with
delightful fury; Troy Whitaker and Mikel Parraga-Wills represent the embattled
younger generation; Todd Andrew Ball is poseur extraordinary, and Lloyd
Pedersen a befuddled darling. Steve Terrell, apparently as the great Bach
himself, has exuberant walk-bys.
Calvin
Remsberg expertly directs in the elegant Comédie Française style, the costumes
by A. Jeffrey Schoenberg and set by J. Kent Inasy are lavish enough to make
Moliere green with envy, while sword fights are scarily choreographed by Adam
Conn.
A
Group Rep production at the Lonny
Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., NOHO through May 1. Tickets: (818)
763-5990 or www.thegrouprep.com.
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