Tuesday, July 25, 2000
Inmate extras hit all the right notes
By JIM KNIPPENBERG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Just to prove the cliche all wrong, sometimes you can please all the people all the time.
Referring here to the Aida that closed Cincinnati Opera's summer Saturday — the one for which super-coordinator Carolyn Giles recruited 21 non-violent felons from River City Correctional, a 200-bed facility in Camp Washington, to be supers (non-singing extras).
It's over and the verdict's in: Everyone's pleased.
• RCC director John Baron: “From our end, it was super. The guys had never seen an opera, but they loved seeing it go together.
“It worked on several levels: Some got paid ($4 per rehearsal, $6 per performance), so they made money. Ones who didn't take the money got credit for community service hours.
“We're back if they ask.”
• Judge Norbert Nadel, chair of the Judicial Corrections Board: “It succeeded overwhelmingly. All of a sudden, we have guys asking about opera — where is it on the radio? On TV? I see no reason not to do it again.”
• Opera spokeswoman Evelyn Stubbs: “Incredible. It worked out so well for us. The guys were on time, paid attention and took direction well. We were happy to have them.”
• And most important, the residents: All first time opera-goers, they played soldiers and all said they'd do it again.
Jerome Harris (he painted a portrait of Aida that all 21 signed and that will hang in RCC's lobby): “I acted before and liked going back. I made contacts and when I'm out I'll be acting again. I gave them my resume, so I'll be back.”
Dino Daniels, a School for the Creative and Performing Arts grad, designer and sculptor: “I think I'm made for the stage so yeah, I'll do it again. We gave Carolyn (Giles) our names and asked to do it next year. I'm so thankful to the opera and River City for giving us the chance.”
Charles Hansel: “We're not used to all the rehearsal, so every day we'd go back to our pods and drop. But then opening night, I was onstage and looked out and — wow! 3,500 people sitting there. I'll be back next year.
“As a regular citizen.”
Big Bucks: So then, looks as if Jim Baldwin needs to solve the lifeline problem, then he's on his way to being a millionaire.
Baldwin, deputy director of telecommunications in Lebanon's city manager's office, is off to New York for a Wednesday taping and a tentative Aug. 17 air date of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
The 43-year-old attorney isn't worried about the lightning round — “I have quick reflexes” — and is confident with sports (his passion) and literature (his college major).
“I know a little about a whole lot, but not a whole lot about anything. I think that's what's required — a diversity of knowledge is the best defense.”
“Now I need lifelines. I want John Kiesewetter (Enquirer TV critic), my old friend who knows TV, but he's out of town. I have a few family members, and other than that, I'm deciding.
“Really, this is mostly just a free trip to New York and the challenge of answering questions. I'm no game show fanatic.”
But he might be a millionaire.
Knip's Eye View appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Have an item to report? Call Jim Knippenberg at 768-8513; fax: 768-8330.
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