Once playing Rosina in “Barbiere di Siviglia,” Rosalind Elias has sampled quite a few roles in her prolific operatic career. Elias’ newest role, however, takes place on a radically different stage, that of the Marquis Theater on Broadway. The 82-year-old mezzo-soprano has received critical acclaim for her “small, poignant role” as Heidi Schiller in the freshly produced revue. In “Broadway Debut After a Life of Opera,” Anthony Tomnasini chronicles Elias’ career as an opera veteran and her subsequent foray into Broadway; albeit longwinded, the piece effectively acquaints readers with Elias and relates the backstory of her rise to Broadway prominence.
Tomnasini spares little time in divulging Elias’ prior performances, citing her roles as Mrs. Lovett “in the New York City Opera’s 1984 production of Sweeney Todd” and her appearance as the “sardonic grandmother Madame Armfeldt in a production of “A Little Night Music” in Hawaii.” He expeditiously shifts to Follies and explains how Elias came to acquire the role of Ms. Schiller. Her agent, Michael Rosen, believed that “One More Kiss,” “a waltzing avowal of love and farewell,” fit Elias’ musical repertoire. Elias “adores” the song and wows Follies director Eric Schaeffer with her rendition, leaving him “literally in tears.” Needless to say, Elias was cast shortly thereafter.
As a review, “Broadway Debut After a Life of Opera” succeeds in illustrating the tale of Elias’ Broadway transition. Tomnasini overextends, however, by delving into Elias’ childhood, yet the anecdotes prove entertaining. Tomnasini compels attention by leveraging the pathetic appeal of an aging opera magnate who dips her foot into a foreign industry. He goes beyond stating that Elias won the role, he depicts her willingness to explore new fields and recounts the sequence of action that preceded her decision. An underlying motif spans the article: you can teach an 82-year-old mezzo-soprano new tricks.
I think it’s nice that the opera veteran moved on to try Broadway, especially since she’s 82 years old. This just goes to show her passion for the industry and motivation for new things. Also, it’s good to see that she worked for the role instead of using connections.
I think its great that Rosalind Elias is moving on to something different even at 82. I like that Anthony Tomnasini wrote about her story because this is something that could have easily been overlooked with so many other things going on in New York and it was worth hearing about.