If we could award a sixth star to Amy Bouchard for her voice, we gladly would. Her one-woman show, "Amadeus Never Gives Me The Blues" gave us nothing but joy. The story tells of a young woman gifted with a vocal instrument for the ages who is unable to please her role model, her grandmother. Nana was also a singer as a young woman and Bouchard longs for her approval which is never forthcoming.
Along with accompanist Daniel Lockett, Bouchard breaks into song to illustrate her practice methods, her auditions, her performances and even her recordings. Every time she sings we, along with the rest of the audience, burst into enthusiastic applause.
But while we are moved musically, we are somewhat less so theatrically. The problem is not with Bouchard the performer but with the way the story is presented. It is confusing and has no surprises. We're happy to hear about Nana's past as a singer before two thousand soldiers in a USO show during World War II, but what does this have to do with Amy? We want to know more about her. Why does she love singing? How did she start? Our stereotype of opera singers is enormous women carrying a spear. Amy Bouchard is small and gorgeous. How does this happen? What about her unmentioned parents? Who set her upon this path?
And perhaps above all: If Amadeus never gives her the blues, why not? What is there in this music that is so curative for her? We hear it when she sings. We want that feeling in her story too.
"Opera demands perfection," Bouchard says. Musically, she is there already. The show will certainly tighten up as time goes on. We will go back to see Amy Bouchard any chance we get.
RATINGS ★★★ BANG
The San Francisco Theater Blog Awards Division grants "Amadeus Never Gives Me the Blues" Three Stars with a Bangle of Praise. Bravo! we say. With a stage presence like Amy Bouchard, this show is heading for Bravissimo!
"Amadeus Never Gives Me the Blues"
The Marsh
1062 Valencia, San Francisco
Saturdays through May 25\
$25-$35
