A Few Good Bohèmes

Well, our New Year Post Scriptum to the fall season, the January runs of Barbiere and La Bohème, has come and gone in a whirlwind of activity.

No news on the Barber run (except that Thomas Hampson apparently favored a Remington over a Mach3), but my spy on the Bohème cast reports many mishaps: flying plates heading towards principals' heads; the same plates hitting maitre d's; irritated chorus ladies expressing displeasure about the prominence of Supers; a 48-hour delay in getting a Super home after the holidays; a mysterious facial rash caused by cinnamon-flavored Crest toothpaste in a Super's pie; Mimi's new pink bonnet being trampled underfoot by the children's chorus; sundry other items of clothing littering the stage; shaving foam everywhere. But the worst near-disaster had to be the Café Momus set unit, out of control and speeding towards the orchestra pit, inches away from taking out Supers, choristers and properties alike. Café pre-set passenger Stephanie Salter's screams echoed throughout the house. Did the brakes fail? Was it sabotage? Whatever the reason, Ulrica suspects that Hammy competition will be fierce on this show.

Disasters aside, it sounded like a fun show: wonderful direction from Mark Lamos and Sandra Bernhard, lots of camaraderie and drinks at Jardinière . It's great to have experienced Supers Renee DeJarnatt and husband Marc Huelsman back on board (Renee having done 26 consecutive performances of this show at the Orpheum in 1996), as well as returning SFO newcomers Michael Song (above, with Kimberly Thompson) and Andrew Poe. There are even reports of two Super waiters being asked for autographs at the Blue Muse during one post-performance drinks session. The signatures were, of course, graciously given. Everyone is already looking forward to the Bohème reprise in June.

During the run, AD Mark Streshinsky's son Evan celebrated his fifth birthday. Happy Birthday, Evan! Evan attended one evening rehearsal and was greatly entertained by the mishaps of the four waiters.

Super John Guglielmelli's cast photo collages were extremely popular and many of his candid rehearsal photos appear on this website. After attending his first opera, the last performance of Bohème, John's look-alike Dad -- and his friend Ingrid (below) -- made a downstairs cameo appearance.

During that last performance, a Sunday matinée, we held the Bohèmian bake sale (below). Although there were relatively few Supers in the show, others responded to the call for contributions and we had one of the largest spread of goodies ever. Thanks! A much-needed $550 was raised for the impoverished Super Fund.

The award-winning website team (below) was seen huddled over in conference, post Bake Sale. Look out for new and exciting Spearhead features in the months to come.

The bake sale also served as the unveiling of the Susan Mead Memorial Cart, purchased in memory of the long-term and much-loved Super who passed away last year. It should keep future bake sales literally running smoothly.

The stunning Bohème Musetta, Dina Kuznetsova (below, with Super waiters), looking like Maria Callas in Traviata, was a Super favorite, and flowers were delivered to her dressing room on opening nght, marking her role and house debuts. Waitperson Sergio Suhett was the lucky recipient of her kisses of gratitude. And many thanks to SFO's Bob Cable and photographer Larry Merkle for the two onstage shots.

Obviously our parents brought us up right . . .

Speaking of gratitude, we Supers are such an appreciative lot. Not only are we the most punctual people in the world, but are among the most grateful. It must come from having to be so thankful, so often, for so little when it comes to Super roles. Anyhow, Thank You's have been pouring in from various sources and for many different reasons;

From Traude Albert comes a Thank You to the Super Committee and all who worked on the Annual Party.

(click on image to enlarge)

From former Super Captain, Albert Goodwyn, recently hospitalized but apparently recovering nicely, came a sweet note of thanks for the Get Well Soon gift that Susan Anderson sent to him, on behalf of us all:

Dear Supers, Thank you all for the lovely and thoughtful gift basket. It's nice to be remembered. I miss you all, Albert

And from incapacitated Katherine Brazaitis, recovering from foot surgery, came this email:

You were so sweet to do a card for me! Thanks to you all. How nice. Everybody says I'll be up dancing soon. I just want to stand on 2 feet. Crutches for 8 weeks is a real drag. You can't do anything. At least I'm getting paperwork done and sleeping 8 hours, which I never get to do. Take care and see you next year if not sooner. Tell anybody hi that cares! Love, Katherine

Past columns

Ulrica apologizes to anyone who has found her references to previous administrations and their hiring and firing policies inappropriate. Being a great fan of bel canto, she has great admiration for Lotfi Mansouri and many of his repertory and casting choices. But she is also of the opinion that there isn't just one way to do this and that we are at the beginning of a very exciting period of transition and we should appreciate the diversity of offerings being given to us in recent seasons.

Not strictly SFO, but Mike Harvey was aquiver with excitement after attending the Ray Rallo-directed �Fire Opera� Dido and Aeneas at Oakland's Crucible Theater on January 17. Sounded like the Art Opera event of the year with a reported 5,000 attendees and many non-singing extras in various incendiary states. Ulrica was devastated that she missed it (an increasingly rare social engagement prevented her from being there).

Upcoming Season Buzz 

Speaking of offerings, the recent announcement of SFO's 2004-05 Season means that speculation is rife about what (if any) Super roles will be available this fall. If nothing else there should be plenty of Tosca �Te Deum� walk-ons and a Traviata lackey or two. But break out the Russian dance moves for the possibility of ballroom scenes in two Tchaikovsky productions. It's exciting to see fave divas Ruth Ann Swenson and Carol Vaness heading our way again.

Ulrica is hoping that there is a role for a Super Witch in the otherwise all-male cast of Billy Budd. The thought of all those sweaty sailors onstage and stripped to the waist, makes her break out in a mysterious rash�

< -- Page 10   MORE Ulrica Page 12 -->