Charming only begins to describe Peter & the Wolf by Works & Process at the Guggenheim. Originally commissioned by the Central Children's Theatre in Moscow in 1936, tonight's performance was curated and narrated by the inimitable stage luminary Isaac Mizrahi.Prokofiev's musical masterpiece came to life through Mizrahi's delightful repartée, a coterie of splendid musicians, superb dancers, and sublime costuming. The lighting, sound, and set design were fabulous.Isaac Mizrahi is known for his flamboyant personality and infectious energy. He captivated tonight's audience of adults and children with his unique style, humor, and charismatic stage presence. Mizrahi is a multi-talented performer, excelling in fashion design, acting, and cabaret performance. His innate showmanship and theatricality have set him apart as a true icon of New York's vibrant cultural scene.The program began with Mizrahi introducing each of the orchestra's instruments and their parts in portraying characters in the Peter and the Wolf tale. Instruments demonstrated melody and sound befitting each character. Flutist Anjali Shinde performed her theme that sounded like this:https://youtu.be/088ZRWNmpYk?si=DsY729gasU0Wy5iRThis delightful production captured the imagination of both young and old. The work portrays the story of a young boy, Peter, and his adventures with his grandfather, hunter, and animal friends, including a duck, a bird, and a cat, as they discover a wolf in the forest. Of course, our Peter's adventures took place in Central Park.Tonight's performance captured the hearts and imaginations of the audience. Children exclaimed, giggled, and reacted to the work's charm and beauty as a testament to Mizarahi's aplomb in staging Prokofiev's captivating musical story. Grandfather even tap danced!Peter & the Wolf by Works & Process at the GuggenheimMusic by Sergei ProkofievConceived, Directed, Narrated, and Designed by Isaac MizrahiConducted by Michael P. AtkinsonCostumes by Isaac MizrahiChoreography by John HeginbothamLighting Design by Brandon Stirling BakerDance HeginbothamPeter (strings) Kara ChanBirdie (flute) Paige Barnett KulbethGrandfather (bassoon) Norton OwenWolf (French horn) Daniel PettrowDuck (oboe) Marjorie FolkmanHunter (timpani) Derrick ArthurCat (clarinet) Zach GonderCarnegie Hall's Ensemble ConnectAnjali Shinde, FluteJoseph Jordan, OboeBixby Kennedy, ClarinetMarty Tung, BassoonRyan Dresen, HornOliver Xu, PercussionBrandon Ilaw, PercussionJoanne Kang, PianoDavid Bernat, ViolinRubén Rengel, ViolinRamón Carrero-Martínez, ViolaThapelo Masita, CelloMarguerite Cox, BassRuntime about 30 minutes A view of the stage production of Peter and the Wolf by Works & Process at the Guggenheim. Photo by Edward KliszusThe Guggenheim1071 Fifth AvenueNew York, NY 10128(Between 88th and 89th Streets)Works & Process Ticket information at [email protected]@worksandprocess.orgLooking ahead: December 15 and 16 for Third Bird, Isaac Mizrahi, and Nico Muhly's homage to Peter & the Wolf.Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Isaac Mizrahi at 54 Below, The Imani Winds, Divina: A Fantasy Cabaret with Regina Gibson, Jenn Colella: Out and Proud, and Mary Stallings at Smoke.https://youtu.be/Va8Uz6MoKLg?si=z_0Y6WxaM6hCNfn4
