Maria Callas, the iconic opera singer, comes to life on the Kelsey stage weekends, February 21 to March 3. “Master Class,” a Tony Award-winning play by Terrence McNally, captures Callas as she challenges the next generation of singers to reach for the heights that she herself has achieved. It focuses on Callas at one of her famous master classes where, late in her own career and life, she dares the next generation to make the same sacrifices and rise to the same heights that made her one of the most celebrated — and controversial — singers of her time.
“Callas experienced such passionate dedication to her art on such a grand emotional scale,” says director Judi Parrish. “And while the play is incredibly funny, it also is deeply reflective, as Callas looks back on her life and what she had to sacrifice in order to have a great career. Her memories and the music feed on each other, and her personality informs the performance.”
With wicked humor, unrelenting criticism, and personal stories — including ones about her life with Aristotle Onassis — Callas instructs a group of young singers who are aspiring to the heights of fame and fortune.
Timothy Walton of Plainsboro portrays the tenor Anthony Candolino. A classically trained opera singer, he brings the necessary air of authenticity to the production. Walton graduated from the College of New Jersey with a bachelor of music degree and received a master of music degree from the New England Conservatory.
At Franklin High School he is the vocal music teacher and director of the spring musical, “In the Heights.” “I took a break from performing because I direct the productions at school and have three touring choirs,” says Walton. “But Judi Parrish is a longtime friend, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with her.”
He and his wife, Lauren, have been living in Plainsboro for more than a year. She is an instructional course designer for the School of Social Work at Rutgers and is the founder of the Seed Program public speaking contest. She is supportive of the arts and was a stage manager for several college productions as an undergraduate.
The couple started a production company, L.A.T.E. Theater Company, about a year ago and are seeking their next venture. “So we balance each other out that way, I love to perform and she loves to be surrounded by anything arts related,” he says. “We keep very busy, stirring the pot in several capacities.”
Walton comes from a long line of singers and musicians on both sides of the family. His mother taught high school voice for 36 years in Jersey City and his father was a church organist. He sings gospel and inspirational music with his sister under the name of “Walton Jones.” His uncle was a member of the group Cookie and the Cupcakes. “So music runs through my blood … literally,” he says.
His past performances, many at Kelsey, include “Little Shop of Horrors” as Audrey 2, “Miss Saigon” as John, “Die Fledermaus” as Einstein, “Brigadoon” as Tommy, “Sweeney Todd” as Beadle, “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” as Mitch, and “Godspell” as Lamar.
Laurie Hardy of Hamilton, who has performed in theaters throughout central New Jersey, portrays Callas. She has been seen on the Kelsey stage as M’Lynn in “Steel Magnolias” and Ethel Thayer in “On Golden Pond,” as well as Monica Reed in “Present Laughter” at Playhouse 22, and other production at Villagers and Somerset Valley theaters
“The play is about her frustrations as well as those moments when she surrenders to the beauty of her students’ voices, when they finally understand,” says Parrish.
Master Class, Kelsey Theater, Mercer Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Friday, February 21, to Sunday, March 3. $18. 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheater.net.
A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Friday, February 21. A 30-minute talkback with the cast and crew follows the Friday, February 28, performance.
