“Leonard Bernstein: Mass” a Ravinia special evening!

[rating=5] In 1971, Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass” was christened at The Kennedy Center is Washington D.C., as commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy. A great deal has taken place in the world of music ( and religion) during these almost 50 years, and while this piece was a look at the Sunday Mass, creating something much more “show-Biz”. The style is far more relatable today. after all, we have had “Jesus Christ , Superstar”, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and many other musical pieces that have cross-pollinated music styles as did Bernstein in his “Mass”.

When Bernstein passed away, some of his music and special pieces were rediscovered as young people wanted to know more about the man who gave us “West Side Story”, “On The Town” and conducted some of the greatest symphonies. The creation of a forward -lookingpiece looking at the Roam Catholic Mass from the Jewish viewpoint and fusing all the various types of music was going to be something special and memorable. The original title was “A Theater Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers”, using Jazz, rock, Broadway type music and then mixing them with sacred music and secular traditions, including Hebrew ( after all, Bernstein was Jewish , so why?)

Tonight was a special night at Ravinia! Tonight they performed this special piece on their Pavilion Stage filled with powerful voices, led my the absolutely amazing Paulo Szot (baritone) in the role of the “celebrant” and a host of other voices: Sumayya Ali, Aaron Blake, Matt Boehler, John Clay III ( astounding vocal range), Nicholas Cunningham, Alexander Elliott, Nicole Fragala, Erica Everett, Devon Guthrie ,Devin Ilaw, Morgan James, Alexa Jarvis, Meredith Lustig, Mykal Kilgore, Timothy McDevitt, Michael Maliakel, Barrie Lobo McLain, Kaitlin Mesh, James Onstad, Michael Preacely ( a vocal range that will “blow your mind”),Isabel Santiago and Karim Sulayman. The Children’s Choir’s two lead singers as the altar children were handled with great skill by Wyatt Parr and Myra Sahai.

The children’s choir has about 200 members, half on-stage and half off (what voices) and then there is Vocality- a festival chorus composed of alumni from the Children’s Choir and others from Chicago and surrounding areas. They strive to bring excellence to the stage and diversity among its membership- beautiful- We also heard (and saw) the Highland Park Marching Band “do their thing” in the aisles during the early portion of the 100 minute ( no intermission) special event at Ravinia. I feel bad in reporting to you just how special the evening was, only because I know it was “one night only” so you will not be able to buy a ticket for tomorrow night and witness what I did! You can , however,know that due to the beauty and strength of this production, there might just be another chance in the future, so should you see it announced, run, do not walk to make sure that you get a ticket in The Pavilion! While Ravinia is known for the atmosphere of sitting on the lawn, sipping your beverage and enjoying the music, this is one that you just might want to watch. I know I loved it!

You can always see what is happening at Ravinia- www.ravinia.org

I also want to tell you about our dining experience with a new spot at Ravinia. The Lawn Bar is the name and it has both indoor and patio dining. Their drinks are generous and we enjoyed an appetizer and one entrée that we shared with ease and were both filled.

For our “happy to share” appetizer, frito pie- a casserole dish filled with beef chilli, sour cream cheddar cheese mixed with fritos- tasty.

We then shared a humdinger house-smoked brisket sandwich , cherry cola bbq sauce, cole slaw on a corn-dusted roll and served with a nie order of  house made potato chips served with a dill pickle seasoned dip- the brisket was sensational, and neither of us left the Lawn Bar hungry.

They have a limited menu, but I would think everyone in your party can be satisfied with the selection.