Nebraska native and West Coast based opera singer James Anest made his midwest theatrical debut recently in the comic singing role of Franz Liebkind in Music Theatre of Wichita's lavish production of Mel Brooks' The Producers. The production got rave reviews and so did Anest but the most interesting (and revealing) observation concerning Anest appears in critic BOB CURTRIGHT's review in the Wichita Eagle: "James Anest looks and sounds more like a romantic leading man with a powerful, beautiful baritone. But he throws himself into this ridiculous comic role with complete, self-effacing abandon and pulls it off."
James has performed with the world's leading orchestras and opera companies and played with great success the roles of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Lancelot in Camelot and scored a triumph playing Emile de Becque in two productions of South Pacific when he was still in early 20's.
My only question is: When is this guy going to get a chance to perform where he clearly belongs: in a leading role on Broadway, perhaps a revival of a classic musical that calls for a romantic legitimate voiced leading man like James Anest?
Bea Arthur Nude Sells For Nearly $2 Million At Auction
Drama Desk Award Winners - MATILDA, VANYA AND SONIA, PIPPIN, VIRGINIA WOOLF & More!
John Bantay Talks to Richard Jay-Alexander About Musical Mondays Farewell
STAGE TUBE: MATILDA Cast Performs on The View!
CHUCK Star Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez Set to Lead FIRST DATE
AMC Wants THE WALKING DEAD to Live "Forever"
MAN OF STEEL's Henry Cavill Wants a Batman-Superman Film
Gwyneth Paltrow Returns as the Face of Hugo Boss' Latest Scent
BWW Reviews: Yellow Sound Label's KERRIGAN-LOWDERMILK LIVE is an Exceedingly Fun and Charming Album
Donkey Kong Country Returns is Back and Optimized for Portable Play
BWW Blog: Leah Edwards - Practice. Perform. Repeat
BWW Reviews: Pauline Koner, American Original
VIDEO: Must Watch - Mel Brooks AMERICAN MASTERS on PBS May 20!
joined:7/16/08
Posted: 7/20/09 at 08:56pm