Soprano to deliver Broadway, beyond

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Soprano Alison England is bringing her "Opera, Broadway & Beyond" show to the Hawai'i Theatre Saturday night. "I'm a combination of Maria Callas, Judy Garland and Carol Burnett, all in one evening, all in one show, all in one body," said England, who is rehearsing for a show in Paris. 'Opera, Broadway & Beyond' Featuring soprano Alison England, accompanied by pianist Sandra McClune 7:30 p.m. Saturday Hawai'i Theatre $40. $100 VIP tickets include preferred seating and an after-show light dinner with England in the Hawai'i Theatre banquet room. 528-0506

"I'm a combination of Maria Callas, Judy Garland and Carol Burnett, all in one evening, all in one show, all in one body," she said from Paris, where she was rehearsing for a contemporary 20th-century opera, "L'Espace Derniere," which the Bastille Opera opens in late February and runs through March.

"They gave me five days off to do this show in Hawai'i," said England, who is no stranger to opera buffs. Last season, she performed the role of Musetta in Hawaii Opera Theatre's "La Bohéme," earning hurrahs.

We asked England five questions:

Q: You seem to have the best of all worlds, singing repertoire of opera, the stage, movies and more. Is this by design?

A: Not many people can do this; not many have tried. But my voice (is acclimated) to the different music; I grew up professionally doing musical theater, but mine was a classical voice, so I earlier did an operetta which naturally led to opera. While at Juilliard, I was doing Mrs. Santa Claus at Radio City Music Hall (Christmas show) and I've done this and that since.

Q: What keeps you plugged into the classical repertoire?

A: My formal training is in the classics, but I've been surrounded by music; my dad and my godparents were all musicians or performers, especially my 'uncle,' who really is my godfather, Mel Powell, who worked with Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. My godmother is (performer) Carole Cook, so there's show biz in the family tree. Growing up with this influence was amazing, but living under the shadow of many wasn't easy. I've come into my own in the last three or four years, writing and doing my solo show. And the classics are the foundation of what I do.

Q: Amid the prevailing notion that opera singers never give seven or eight performances a week like musical theater troupers, how do you pace yourself if you're in a musical situation?

A: Last year, I did 75 shows. During the year, when I had four nights back to back, this usually meant I didn't talk during the day. But technique helps; I keep the position of my voice a little higher, a little lighter. I'm a lot more conscious of technique, and yes, the styles differ, from opera to musicals. I even dance, which is physically taxing, and my opera friends say 'no way.' But they'll never put me in a box; you have to be confident of who you are as an artist; I dance, I improvise, I have some comic timing, all of which comes pretty naturally — a gift. I didn't get born and requested it — it's just who I am.

Q: Having performed here, how would you assess the appetite for music among Islanders?

A: They're voracious, these people. I was blown away. Some people come from around the world, too, to see opera, so they get a great production along with a great vacation. When I was there last year, Henry Akina (Hawaii Opera Theatre general and artistic director) came to me with Classical Music magazine with my picture on the cover and asked, 'Uh, this is you?' There was a 10-page article, too. Sarah Richards (Hawai'i Theatre Center president) came to see 'Bohéme,' and as a result, the opera and the Hawai'i are jointly presenting my concert. I've been pretty lucky. I've never not been rehired where I perform, so I have a good track record.

Q: What do you most enjoy about your livelihood as a singer?

A: I'm not crazy about all the traveling, because I am recently divorced, and I have a daughter, almost 7, who lives in California while Mommy is away — this part of my life is difficult to deal with. Otherwise, I enjoy being in the air, away from cell phones. I love the people I meet, who become like family. I love dealing with people and boards. I love giving interviews. I adore costumes. Most of all, I'm crazy about rehearsals. I learned from Laurence Olivier, who said: 'Treat every rehearsal like a performance, every performance like a rehearsal.'

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.