Catering available at all locations SI Coupons are for all locations including Hercules Family Restaurant at 12 Mile & Farmington NCE 19 11 Visit us at www.leosconeyisland.com Stage Manager Ken Saltzman with the director, in this case Bernard Uzan, who, like Saltzman, is Jewish. Uzan has helmed many MOT pro- ductions in recent years. He directed Romeo & Juliet a few years ago on his home turf at L'Opera de Montreal. "This opera is a special challenge,' says Uzan, "because Gounod was no longer a young man when he wrote it for its world premiere in Paris in 1867. Sometimes the music doesn't reflect the passion of two young lovers. In the bedroom scene, they sing things like, "Destiny chains me to you forever!" Is that what they [say] at age 18? It's like two old people reminiscing. "[But] we found a way of bringing out the passion. In general, Romeo & Juliet is a beautiful work with great love arias; the French text is a master- piece, the balcony scene is well writ- ten, the chorus scenes are wonderful and the tomb scene at the end is very touching!' Performing the role of Romeo will be Mexican-American tenor Arturo Chacon-Cruz (June 2, 6, 9) and Jonathan Boyd (June 3, 8), who appeared in the 2005 MOT world premiere of Margaret Garner. Juliet will be sung alternately by Russian- American soprano Dina Kuznetsova (June 2, 6, 9) and emerging young American artist Evelyn Pollock (3, 8). University of Michigan voice profes- sor Stephen Lusmann will perform Capulet — and one of his students, Brandon Snook, will sing the role of Benvolio. Saltzman, 46, has been a stage man- ager for 25 years. He was raised in a Reform family in Rochester, where he celebrated his bar mitzvah. He played the piano and acted in school produc- tions, such as Camelot, but concentrat- ed on directing and stage-managing while studying theater at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. He has been production manager for the Springfield Summer Arts Festival. Director Bernard Uzan "I took a liking to opera when I was stage manager for Madame Butterfly, and I've since handled operas in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Arizona, Hawaii, Philadelphia, Memphis and Dayton:' says Saltzman. "Each one is a challenge. "Remember, you're dealing with diverse personalities who often are demanding, under stress and can be very difficult at times. They're singing their lungs out for three hours in each performance, so you must do every- thing to protect them and their voices — spray mist on the stage, make sure the floor is mopped, limit rehearsals to six hours!" Saltzman and his partner of 16 years live on Lamoka Lake in New York's Finger Lakes region. He tries his best to observe the Jewish holidays on the road, "but sometimes it's tough, usually depending on what city you're in," he says. "When Passover's coming, I take gefilte fish and matzah with me so I'll be ready. And I spend all day in the synagogue on Yom Kippur." Saltzman enjoyed an unexpected treat when he was here during Passover in April rehearsing for Turandot. He was invited to a seder at the home of his cousin, Karen Markel of Beverly Hills. ri Romeo & Juliet opens 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Detroit Opera House,1526 Broadway, in Detroit, with additional per- formances at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 3; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday June 6; 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 8; and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9. Tickets, at $28-$120, are avail- able at the box office, by calling (313) 237-SING or online at www. Michigan Opera.org . Tickets also available through Ticketmaster at (248) 645-6666 or www.tick- etmastercom. Receive Receive Receive $100 Off $200 off Total Bill Over $10 Total Bill Over $20 Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 6/30/07 10% Off Total Sill Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 6/30/07 Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 6/30/07 Dine in only your TOTAL food bill Not good with any other offer ANY TIME expires 6/30/07 Authentic Korean & Japanese Cuisine Open Daily Catering Available Phone (248) 827-1600 www.newseoulgarden.com 27566 Northwestern Hwy. OPEN FOR LUNCH FRIDAYS! RISTORANTE Fine Italian Dining in a Casual Atmosphere r TOTAL FWD BILL (MUN-THURS. ONLY) PRESENT THIS COUPON TO RECEIVE DISCOUNT! i ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER • EXP:6/30/01 (NOT VALID ON HOLIDAYS) I I. maw /IMO BRNO MX. !MOD SIM alma, OOP 7wa• ■ 101. INN* NM Al Man-Thurs:4pni-lOpm • Fri: 11am-11pm Sat: 4pm-11pm • Sun: 3pm-Spin '2321 'V. 14 Afe Rd imsbury P1aza. lust at of Farmin or Rd. West Eltdonifie.id TRUST YOUR AFFAIR TO THE FINEST CATERER - im WE'LL BEAT YOUR BEST PRICE! Weddings o Bar/Bat Mitzvahs ,) Showers © Banquets Reunions Anniversaries a Birthdays Etc. We Cater at Most Synagogues, Temples, Hotels and the Halls Of Your Choice PHILIP TEWEL, Food & Beverage Director 248-661-4050 Farmington Hills KOSHER CATERERS CLASSIC CUISINE May al 2007 57