I Pagliacci

Performances:
March 3 (8:00PM), 4 (8:00PM), 10 (8:00PM), 12 (2:00PM), 15 (7:30PM), 18 (8:00PM), 19 (2:00PM), 22 (7:30PM), 24 (8:00PM), 25 (8:00PM)

Special Events:
March 3, 7:00 Gala Opening – Tickets: $42/$40
March 25, 7:00 Wine & Dessert tasting – (Proceeds benefit the award-winning Cinnabar Young Repertory Theater) – Tickets: $42/$40

“The tears of a clown…”
“Smile though your heart is breaking…”
“The show must go on...”

The theme of the broken-hearted clown, forced to hide his pain for the amusement of his audience, has been a favorite theme of composers, lyricists and playwrights for hundreds of years. Perhaps no where is the theme more compellingly explored than in Ruggero Leoncavallo’s passionate masterwork, “I Pagliacci” (The Clowns).

The play is set in Italy and follows the intertwining of the lives of a troupe of commedia players. Canio, the leader of the troupe and star clown, is married to the luscious and much younger Nedda, the company’s leading lady. After discovering that his young wife has taken a lover, Canio’s heart is crushed and yet he must play the clown. Finally, in scene of great passion and desperation, Canio’s pain breaks through the mask, leading to the tragic conclusion. This great work of Italian verismo is so exuberant, dramatic, poignant and lyrical that it has found its way into the hearts of generations of opera lovers.

Reviews:

Dan Taylor, Press Democrat, March 17, 2006

"Pagliacci' offers vocal power, acting skill"

"Petaluma's Cinnabar Theater production boasts top talent; costumes, lighting deserve praise"

"Cinnabar is neither big nor rich but still insists on recruiting top professional vocal talent for its operas, which are sung in English and staged simply."

"As Canio [Pagliaccio], experienced Bay Area tenor Kevin Courtemanche sings with exceptional power and clarity. He skillfully exploits every part of the role, as a brutish husband, offstage clown and jealous lover."

"Erina Newkirk, as Canio's unhappy and ultimately unfaithful wife, Nedda, holds the audience's attention every moment. Her expressive face moves convincingly from flirtation to derision to horror, while her soaring soprano makes her listeners feel what her character feels." Read more...

David Kashimba

"Once again Cinnabar Theater, in Petaluma, offers live opera in an intimate setting with its current productions of I Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo and the surprise curtain-raiser. No need to bring your opera glasses to these performances. Every seat in the house is a good one and even some cabaret seating is available which is close enough for you to feel like one of the performers....Both productions are excellent and performed in English. An added treat is a chorus of young singers and thespians from Cinnabar’s Young Rep program." Read more...

Charles Brousse, Marin Independent Journal, March 7, 2006

"Anchored by music director Nina Shuman's fine orchestral ensemble and a collection of strong voices, the production overcomes some relatively minor glitches while providing satisfying operatic entertainment at a fraction of the normal cost." Read more...

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Read a synopsis
Listen to excerpts

The Cinnabar production of I Pagliacci is brought to life by guest stage director Michael Mohammed and the exquisite score is conducted under the baton of Cinnabar’s resident Music Director, Nina Shuman. Presented in English, it features tenor George Arana, baritone Todd Donovan, baritone William Neely, soprano Erina Newkirk & tenor Kevin Courtemanche as Canio.

The show opens on March 3 with a gala pre-show party at 7:00PM, generously donated by Dempsey’s Restaurant and Brewery, which includes delicious hors d’oeuvres and wine. Closing night, March 25, enjoy a special pre-show Wine and Dessert tasting.

Tickets are $32.00 General Admission/ $30.00 Seniors & Students