My friend Carol Davis, whom I know through Savoynet, invited me to sing in a concert she organized with LOONY — Light Opera of New York. This represented two big firsts for me: my first professional singing gig, and my first public performance of an opera aria. In the first half of the concert, we did a number of arias and duets from operas and operettas; I sang Count Almaviva’s aria, “Hai gia vinta la causa”, from Le Nozze di Figaro. In the second half of the concert, we did a minimally staged Trial by Jury, in which I sang the Counsel. The concert was at the Yale Club and was therefore a semi-swanky affair. We wore black tie. I knew I had that tux for some reason.
I performed with a number of really wonderful singers, including several familiar faces from NYGASP in Angela Smith, Louis Dall’Ava, and Stephen Quint. I’ve seen each of these performers multiple times from the audience; how exciting to share a stage with them!
The Trial cast was:
- Stephen Quint, Judge
- Joanne Lessner, Plaintiff
- Peter Buchi, Defendant
- Jonathan Ichikawa, Counsel
- Louis Dall’Ava, Usher
- Jane Buchi, First Bridesmaid
- Eric Peterson, Foreman
The music director and accompanist was Steve Vasta.
Everything went smoothly, and I believe that everyone had a great time. I know I did! This was the sort of event that makes me sit up and say, “I wish I did things like this more often!”
Hi! Come click around. It'll be awesome. This is a page for me, Jonathan Ichikawa, and theatery stuff. The 'about' page is here, if you're one of those people who needs things like that.
May 10th, 2007 
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