REVIEW: Opera singer Nathan Gunn shares his life in wonderful show

If you want to hear a wonderful opera singer in an intimate setting, San Diego Repertory Theatre’s current show is just the ticket.

Hershey Felder presents “Nathan Gunn — Flying Solo” is billed as “a musical story about family, love and the wild world of music.” It is playing through June 10 on the Lyceum Stage in downtown San Diego’s Horton Plaza.

The autobiographical performance features renowned baritone Nathan Gunn sharing his life story that started in South Bend, Indiana and, due to his vocal talents and hard work, has taken him around the world as he has performed in operas, operettas, musical theater and recital oratorios.

According to the program, his honors have included receiving the inaugural Beverly Sills Award and two Grammys for “Best Opera Recording.” His performances have included playing lead roles in the PBS broadcasted musicals “Camelot” and “Carousel” with the New York Philharmonic, plus “Show Boat” at Carnegie Hall and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

At the Lyceum, Gunn is accompanied by pianist Michael Bagby, who is clearly a very talented musician able to focus on his music and ignore what goes on around him. This includes a very funny scene where Gunn drapes feather boas around Bagby’s head while he is playing.

While the show written by Felder is compelling — Felder has produced and performed in several one-man shows at the Lyceum on musical legends such as Irving Berlin and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — it is Gunn’s talent as a singer and storyteller that make this performance moving and memorable.

The one-act show has no intermission and runs nearly two hours. But it does not feel long at all since Gunn entertainingly tells his life story through a mixture of dialogue and song. At times he even takes on the personas and voices of others, such as that of his mother, father and first vocal teacher. While this aspect of his performance is fun, the best part is clearly the music.

Throughout, Gunn sings some very well-known songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Mozart, Rossini and others. Starting with his father’s favorite, “Has Anybody Seen My Girl? (Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue)” and transitioning to “Papegeno’s Song (aka The Bird Catcher’s Song)” from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” (his first vocal performance) and then “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” (his first high school production, while cast as Curly), that is just the beginning of what was clearly destined to be an outstanding career and a musical treat for the audience.

While the show has many funny and joyful aspects, these are contrasted with some sadder times in Gunn’s life. The show’s ending is especially moving, though it does leave the audience with a question since the outcome is not clear. That is the only flaw in the show.

“Nathan Gunn — Flying Solo” can be seen in matinee and evening performances through June 10 at the Lyceum Stage, 79 Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego.

Tickets are $48 to $79, available at the box office, online at sdrep.org or by calling 619-544-1000. Discounts are offered to active duty military, teachers, seniors and students. Parking is available in the Horton Plaza garage for $8 if parking ticket is validated at the theater.

email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com