Trouble in Tahiti

Starring:Karl Daymond, Stephanie Novacek, Tom Randle, Toby Stafford-Allen, Mary Hegarty, Finn Caiger-Smith, Edward K. Gibbon, Richard Curto, Jonathan Lunn, Isadora Dooley-Hunter, Humphrey Burton, James Dodd (II), Christopher Marney, Gavin Fitzpatrick, Steven Hughes, Rhian Williams (II), Luis Rodriguez
Director: Tom Cairns
Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
Product Type: DVD

Description

Tom Cairns' cinematic film features a young and vibrant cast in Bernstein's chamber opera, set in the fifties. This biting satire on American suburban married life stars Stephanie Novacek as Dinah and Karl Daymond as Sam, facing a serious communication breakdown -- he is obsessed with his work; she seeks escapism via the magical world of the latest movie release, Trouble in Tahiti. Inspired by jazz and American musical comedy, the score is a path-breaking fusion of lyric art with popular entertainment.

Customer Reviews:

Ratty-boo, Where Are You?.......2007-07-02

I had very high hopes for this version; unfortunately, they were only partially met. I'll start with what is right about it: Stephanie Novacek does a fine job as Dinah, probably about as good as we're going to get these days. (I had hoped that Judy Kaye, who did a brilliant characterization in a concert version several years ago, would have been chosen to put her interpretation on film.) But Karl Daymond, while both physically and temperamentally correct as Sam, is almost a complete disaster vocalizing the part. He is constantly under pitch, which throws Novacek (temporarily) off twice. The staging of the piece is mostly excellent, incorporating the trio into the action more frequently than expected. The scene at the gym was cute, but a little over-choreographed; it did, however, show Sam's ignorance of what goes on around him.

I also enjoyed the film clips of Suburbia, but this is where the production began to fail slightly: in one clip the trio is definitely singing about 1950s culture (such as Book-of-the-Month Club), but we are squarely facing a 1962 Chevy Impala! In another clip, the trio sings about a "family picture, second to none," with a father sitting in a Thunderbird while the mother and two kids pose around it. Nobody in the 1950s would have owned that kind of a car for a family of four! It's that lack of attention to detail that not only sends false information, but assumes that nobody will notice -- and even if they do, it's not important. I disagree: it's like saying that spelling doesn't count!

I don't know if anyone else is aware, but there is more than one musical cut in this production. The person who mentioned the missing duet at the end of what would be the first "act" is correct about it ripping all the sense out of the scene. (It also seemed odd that Dinah would have missed seeing Sam in that very small diner.) But what was just as damaging, to my mind, was the large cut made during the opening trio. The solo for the female that begins, "Ratty-boo, sofa sofarso, automobe, oughtabemoby" is supposed to be sung twice, the second time in counterpoint to a very interesting clarinet figure. This repeat of the music (and the clarinet) was completely missing. TROUBLE IN TAHITI is only 45 minutes long, and there is absolutely no reason for any cuts whatsoever.

Due to these errors in judgment I can only give this version three stars. Stick with the 1975 version starring Nancy Williams, Julian Patrick and conducted by Bernstein, also on DVD. It's a little on the polite side and the animation is a bit over the top. It is, however, beautifully sung. Better yet, see if you can unearth the original 1952 television broadcast with the Brandeis University cast of Beverly Wolff and David Atkinson. It's only available through private sources on videotape, and is in glorious black and white -- but this is the version that will really open your eyes about this piece.

Talk about "trouble"..........2007-04-03

As noted in another review here, there's an inexplicable cut in the middle of this, excising the heart right out of the piece. But the horrifically flat singing of the man in the role of Sam shouldn't pass without mention here either. "Trouble in Tahiti" is a wonderful work, as accessible as anything Bernstein ever wrote. It's a shame to think that this musically butchered, operatically "acted," poorly-sung production might be someone's first (and probably last) exposure to the piece.

Unforgivable cut.......2006-03-20

While these other reviewers are falling all over themselves commending this video of Trouble in Tahiti, I wonder if any of them realize that an ENTIRE DUET has been cut!! It comes after the "Why did I have to lie" scene when Sam Dinah accidentally run into each other on the street. This is unforgivable in such a short work. It's a beautiful duet, one of Bernstein's most lyric creations and it alludes to the garden of Dinah's dream in the analyst scene. What were they thinking??? What a disappointment!!

Awesome.......2005-02-01

I first saw this at a workshop I attended in the fall. I loved the music so much that I wanted to get a recording and came across this production. I have to say it exceeded my expectations in every way. I expected a video of a staged opera but this is just incredible.

And to the person that posted about the cut... no, I didn't realize anything was cut from this, that is disappointing. However, I still think the production is good and the story flows cohesively

A Rediscovery: As Fresh and Timeless as Ever.......2004-07-23

This "Trouble" is a wonderful Technicolor nightmare; an inspired and wonderful send up of the artificial wholesomeness of Suburbia. Here, the trio is more fully integrated into the opera itself, serving not only as commentators in Greek chorus fashion (as often in performance) but characters themselves.

As Dinah, Stephanie Novacek gives a blazing, almost terrifying performance of "What a movie!" - the effect not unlike having a gifted singer/storyteller encapsulate all of Elektra into 5 minutes - and managing to throw in a a "happy" ending! Positively chilling!

Karl Daymond's Sam is spot on. The gym scene "There are men" is spiked with hilarious homoeroticism (and nudity). While going through his calistehnics, the boys at the gym perform an elaborate, rhythmic, homoerotic gym routine in front, behind and all around an oblivious Sam. This "oblivious" quality speaks volumes about Sam's characters and he and Dinah's troubles.

Cairns uses a lot of symbolism and many interesting devices; flashback, video, home movies, television shows, product placements - all stylishly done and used to maximum effect. The overall feel for this viewer was similar to being "let in on the secret."

It's hard to believe Trouble in Tahiti is 50 years old!

Like many DVD's coming out lately, this short opera is padded out with some "extra" features definitely worth exploring.

Highly recommended!

Bernstein - Trouble in Tahiti / Nancy Williams, Julian Patrick, Antoria Butler, Michael Clarke, Mark Brown

Average customer rating:

Bernstein - Trouble in Tahiti / Nancy Williams, Julian Patrick, Antoria Butler, Michael Clarke, Mark Brown
Starring: Leonard Bernstein , London Symphony Opera , and Nancy Williams
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000CQQITO
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Description

Leonard Bernstein's 1951 opera is a biting satire on the emptiness of materialist values and the false promise of suburban comforts. This production, conducted by the composer himself, presents a live-action cast performing on an animated set. Inspired by jazz and American musical comedy, the score is a path-breaking fusion of lyric art with popular entertainment. Words and music by Leonard Bernstein; Leonard Bernstein, Conductor. Cast: Nancy Williams, Dinah; Julian Patrick, Sam; Antonia Butler, Michael Clarke, and Mark Brown, Trio.

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