Clague Playhouse’s ‘OPUS’ is a calmingly intense concert of words and music

In Michael Hollinger’s play “Opus” now on stage at Clague Playhouse, the fictitious Lazara Quartet is a celebrated world renowned classical music group. They have a slew of recordings (one of which won a Grammy) and have toured excessively around the world. The problem is that such fame comes at a high cost. As Alan (Michael J. Montanus) puts it, “It is a string of never ending car...plane...hotel...concert hall...car...hotel...car...plane...with no time for sight seeing or meeting people.”

First Violinist Elliot (Doug Sutherland) has thrown out his lover, Viola master Dorian (Trey Gilpin) from their apartment as well as out of the group because of his “off his meds” erratic behavior. It was also found that Dorian had stolen a valuable violin that belongs to the group. Second Violinist Alan is divorced due to the excessive traveling schedule and their Cellist Carl (Chris D’Amico) has a deep medical secret. On top of this, the quartet has a gig in a few weeks at the White House with a President that none of them like or voted for, but a gig is a gig. To add further pressure, it will be televised in its entirety setting up more concert possibilities.

With the departure of Dorian these three men have become unstrung. A search is made for their new Violist and after a collection of less than stellar applicants they discover Grace (DeLee Cooper), a natural talent who can sight read even the most complex of classical passages. She is hired on the spot but there is a problem. She is auditioning in three days with the Pittsburgh Symphony. An attempt is made to dissuade her from the tryout but she is firm and gives them a no. Realizing that their argument has failed to convince they call a lessor candidate only to have Grace return and accept the position.

Very soon rehearsals begin as the group has decided to tackle the imposing Beethoven Opus 131 for string quartet that is a gold standard work of string quartets around the world. Weighing in at 39 minutes and 33 seconds it is a complex and multifaceted work that demands all four instruments to be played in absolute unison “...as if one person was playing each instrument simultaneously”.

As Elliot (the OCD perfectionist) guides the group note by note, tempers flare making for an uncomfortable rehearsal for all. Elliot has firm ideas concerning tempo and dynamics and in some cases over-rides Beethoven’s original notations to his personal preferences, much to the chagrin of the others. “I know what ma non troppo means,” snaps Elliot, when Alan points out what he thinks is an error in their interpretation of the dynamics. “Well, that was clearly troppo,” Alan snipes back. “It sounds like we’re smothering a baby.”

In spite of the ill will, the group does survive to play the White House to much heralded acclaim and a second curtain call (but no encore). Feeling flush with excitement, their mood is quickly plummeted with the arrival of Dorian who has been working behind the scenes leading to a surprising ending that is as complex as their playing.

With samples of Bach, Beethoven and Bartok being played throughout the production it makes for a perfect counter balance to the fiery arguments and intense situations that unfold. This is a tightly packed play (running 90 minutes without intermission) where past, present and future shift seamlessly back and forth. Some may find it confusing to follow thus it demands your total concentration.

The various actors do a superb job of mimicking the playing of their various instruments as the superb sound design by Megan Trimarchi matches their playing movements exactly as taught by music consultant Sabrina Maristela. Each actor has their own personality and all are given some truly comic lines to lighten the mood. Doug Sutherland as Elliot is perfect as the high strung task master whom you expect to start brow beating the others with his violin bow.

Michael J. Montanus as Alan is the quiet comic of the group who is naturally funny without forcing the issue. Chris D’Amico as Carl is the quiet peace keeper of the group who brings the show to its final stirring and surprising crescendo. Trey Gilpin as Dorian brings an “off the wall” spirit to the proceedings that helps keep the story off balanced. Lastly, there is DeLee Cooper as Grace, a young talented artist nearly over her head in a churning rapids of professional classical music. She has her own musical views and uses her new found power of the vote to get them through.

“Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll” turns more into “Lack of, Pharmaceuticals and Going For Baroque” as intense personalities clash in a pressure cooker atmosphere of professional string quartets. Soothing music is inter-spaced with intense arguments giving an interesting counter point of which much is to be found in the music itself. No love or knowledge of classical music is required for this fast moving theater nugget. Check this one out.

The Clague Playhouse production of Michael Hollinger’s “OPUS” will be on stage at 1371 Clague Road, Westlake, Ohio through February 16, 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.clagueplayhouse.org or call (440) 331-0403.