Pericles —1996
The songs and incidental music for this riveting outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Pericles at Shakespeare Santa Cruz was performed live by Jaime Heilpern and Rob Pratt, who accompanied the beautiful singing of the cast. This production was directed by Christopher Grabowski, and the music received special attention in the reviews.
Reviews
Capping the unorthadox staging are pulsing, sometimes dissonant jazz. . . With the help of the chirping crickets in the glen, they bolster the action in the play with musical accompaniment and sound effects.
Mark De La Vina, San Jose Mercury, July 30, 1996
On several occasions, Michaels’ Pericles delivers his dialogue in an Arabic-style chant, and other actors also sing in a style that conforms to their characters’ nation of origin. Percussionist Jaime Heilpern and saxophonist Rob Pratt ably back these musical interludes.
Anne Gelhaus, Metro, August 8, 1996
From a raised platform behind the stage, heroic musicians Jaime Heilpern (percussion) and Rob Pratt (reeds) provide the expertly timed drum rolls, downbeats, sax breaks and whispering wind chimes that punctuate the action and accompany the play’s many songs.
. . . gets everybody up and singing, for everything from Jack Zerbe’s powerful solo as the famished King Cleon to Pericles’ and Thaisa’s love duet to hymn-like chorales by the entire company.
Lisa Jensen, Good Times, Santa Cruz, August 8, 1996
He [the director] also knows how to let the laughter deepen into sympathy, whether lashing Pericles with ropes, putting his daughter Marina in danger of being defiled, or setting soliloquies to Robert Maggio’s haunting music—sung both a cappella by the strong-voiced cast and with accompaniment by Jaime Heilpern and Rob Pratt on percussion and jazzy reeds.
Matthew Surrence, Back Stage West, August 8, 1996
The music of composer Robert Maggio is creative and dynamic.
Jim Bindi, Sentinel, Santa Cruz, August 9, 1996
The singing is first-rate and the band highly versatile.
Troy Patterson, Metro Santa Cruz, August 15, 1996
