David - Marcus Lovett; Joab - Stephen Bogardus; Michal - Judy Kuhn; Saul - Martin Vidnovic; Samuel - Peter Samuel; Bathsheba - Alice Ripley; Jonathan - Roger Bart; Absalom - Anthony Galde
King David is a smooth piece where music and lyrics compliment each other and are primarily concerned with telling a story. Although a few of the songs may be pulled from the show as singles, they all flow together and are best viewed as parts of the same whole. Each song furthers the plot, and the action moves at a constant rate. There is also no spoken dialogue outside of the songs. When a lyric is "weak", as in "Saul Has Slain His Thousands", the music and orchestration are especially strong. When a lyric is "strong", as in "Never Again", the music and orchestration are simpler. In either case, the song has a strength which carries it.
Musically, the piece has everything from gospel to jazz. The lyrics are strongest in conversations / arguments between characters and in self-reflective ballads. Although there are humorous moments (e.g. "Goliath of Gath", puns on hymn lines, David's attempt to justify his affair), the show, which focuses on ambition and passion, has a serious tone.
The costumes were authentic looking, and the coloring used on them was not overdone. The "set" consisted of the center stage, chorus risers along the sides of the stage, and then risers with the orchestra above. The chorus space, as well as the conductor's platform, became parts of the playing field at times. The cyclorama had what appeared to be Hebrew text etched on it. During "The Ark Brought To Jerusalem" the words "Dancing Before the Ark." appeared above the text on the cyc. The lighting was spectacular -- you name it, it was here. Although King David had been billed as a concert rather than a show, the songs were acted out and simple props were used.
Marcus Lovett played a passionate and tormented David. Although it was a bit hard to see him as the young David, his transformation from young adulthood to an old age seemed believable. Judy Kuhn was perfect as Michal. She projected the cool self-reliance needed for a strong woman of the time, while still seeming slightly vulnerable when it came to David. Stephen Bogardus (Joab) had all the charm and energy needed for an omni-present narrator, and Roger Bart played an impish -- yet sympathetic -- Jonathan. Alice Ripley wasn't given a lot to do, but she still managed to portray Bathsheba as a sympathetic character rather than as merely a seductress. Anthony Galde gave an energetic performance as Absalom full of drive, ambition, and determination. Martin Vidnovic (Saul) and Peter Samuel (Samuel) had serious styles which commanded attention when they were on stage, and their ghostly re-appearances were carried off with poise.
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