Phelim McDermott's 2014 revival of Mozart and Da Ponte's Così Fan Tutte has been reignited, bringing with it a welcome dose of wit and charm. The 1950s Coney Island setting proves to be the perfect backdrop for this comedic opera, which skillfully pokes fun at outdated notions of love and relationships.
The production kicks off with a tongue-in-cheek overture that sets the tone for what's to come. As the curtains open, a troupe of circus performers emerge from a trunk, each bearing a placard promising something tantalizingly titillating. This playful opening sequence establishes the show's irreverent tone, and it only gets more clever as the night wears on.
The performances are top-notch, with standout cast members Jeremy Sams as spivvy Don Alfonso and Darwin Prakash and Joshua Blue as bumbling Guglielmo and Ferrando. Andrew Foster-Williams brings a sly charm to his portrayal of the suave Don Alfonso, while Blue shines in his role as the smooth-talking Ferrando.
Meanwhile, Lucy Crowe's heart-stopping performance as Fiordiligi is elevated by her stunning soprano voice, which soars in a rare but breathtakingly beautiful Act 2 aria sung from a Ferris-wheel carriage. Taylor Raven and Ailish Tynan also deliver standout performances as Dorabella and Despina, respectively.
The production's most impressive feat, however, lies in its ability to tackle the opera's more contentious themes – namely, its cynical portrayal of women and outdated notions of love and relationships – with a wit and nuance that feels both clever and compassionate. By skewering these issues with humor rather than heavy-handedness, McDermott's revival proves that Così Fan Tutte can be both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Ultimately, this revival is less about nitpicking the opera's more problematic elements and more about reveling in its charms. And as it stands, Così Fan Tutte emerges as a triumph of wit, charm, and outstanding performances – a true delight that will leave you smiling long after the curtain falls.
The production kicks off with a tongue-in-cheek overture that sets the tone for what's to come. As the curtains open, a troupe of circus performers emerge from a trunk, each bearing a placard promising something tantalizingly titillating. This playful opening sequence establishes the show's irreverent tone, and it only gets more clever as the night wears on.
The performances are top-notch, with standout cast members Jeremy Sams as spivvy Don Alfonso and Darwin Prakash and Joshua Blue as bumbling Guglielmo and Ferrando. Andrew Foster-Williams brings a sly charm to his portrayal of the suave Don Alfonso, while Blue shines in his role as the smooth-talking Ferrando.
Meanwhile, Lucy Crowe's heart-stopping performance as Fiordiligi is elevated by her stunning soprano voice, which soars in a rare but breathtakingly beautiful Act 2 aria sung from a Ferris-wheel carriage. Taylor Raven and Ailish Tynan also deliver standout performances as Dorabella and Despina, respectively.
The production's most impressive feat, however, lies in its ability to tackle the opera's more contentious themes – namely, its cynical portrayal of women and outdated notions of love and relationships – with a wit and nuance that feels both clever and compassionate. By skewering these issues with humor rather than heavy-handedness, McDermott's revival proves that Così Fan Tutte can be both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Ultimately, this revival is less about nitpicking the opera's more problematic elements and more about reveling in its charms. And as it stands, Così Fan Tutte emerges as a triumph of wit, charm, and outstanding performances – a true delight that will leave you smiling long after the curtain falls.
I'm so confused, what is opera even? Is it like a musical or something? 
And why do they sing for like, hours straight? Don't get me wrong, Lucy Crowe sounds amazing and all, but my ears would hurt from singing for that long lol. 
Also, what's with the old-fashioned costumes and settings? Does it really feel like Coney Island to you in 2025? 
it's like they're saying "hey we know these ideas are old & weird, but let's have some fun with them" 
and the 1950s Coney Island setting is literally the perfect backdrop for this - it's like a retro playground where they can play dress-up as circus performers 
I'm also loving Jeremy Sams' performance as Don Alfonso, he's got that smooth-talking charm down pat 
and Lucy Crowe's vocals are insane 
she's literally soaring on stage like a bird in flight 
it was like being transported to another world while listening to her sing from that ferris wheel carriage 
i've seen cosi fan tutte a few times before but never been blown away by an opera performance like i was this time around 
Andrew Foster-Williams and Jeremy Sams were pretty great too, but let's be real, Lucy Crowe is the real MVP 
it's like they took all the cheesy parts and made them WORK 
Jeremy Sams as Don Alfonso is giving me LIFE 
, and Lucy Crowe's performance as Fiordiligi gave me chills 
. overall, it's a must-see for anyone who loves opera or just great entertainment 
! I love how Phelim McDermott's 2014 version has brought this classic opera back to life with its perfect blend of wit and charm 
. The 1950s Coney Island setting is pure genius - who wouldn't want to watch a group of circus performers singing about love and relationships? 
.
! If you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for? Get on that ASAP!