According to our editor JJ, the current NYCO production of Semele “provided a luxe vehicle for the talents of soprano Elizabeth Futral as the mortal princess Semele who becomes the mistress of Jove. Futral is gorgeous enough to tempt the king of the gods, feminine and curvaceous, and she has the personality and wit to put over her director’s concept of Semele as a superstar sex kitten.” Gay City News.

“The first thing you need to know is that Carol Vaness bears the most uncanny resemblance, in terms of the placement of her speaking voice and her speech cadences, to Shelly Long in the role of Diane Chambers on Cheers. I mean, that’s pretty important, right? Also, she seems high.” Maury D’Annato turns his gimlet eye to the Tuesday night’s NYCO gala.