SDSU's Symphony of Clouds, an original piece written and directed by the department's own Margaret Larlham, is an amusing and educational glimpse into the early formative years of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life. The show is intended for young audiences, and attempts to teach children about this influential artist in an engaging and interactive manner. While the show did not resonate powerfully for me personally, as I already knew most of the information presented and am above the age of eight years old, I was still impressed by the show's visual presentation and innovative treatment of Mozart's music.
The set was pretty, if not spectacular. The costumes, however, were quite stunning, and helped to establish the whimsically historical world of the play. The music of the play was, of course, immaculate; the show managed to present Mozart's music in a way which was educational but still emphasized the beauty and timelessness of his compositions.
From an actor's perspective, the show was forgettable. David Armstrong offered a strong performance as Mozart's stuffy but loving father. Sunny Smith's dual performance as the Empress and as Mozart's mother was commendable, as her over-the-top German accent and animated characterization made her perfect for a children's play. However, Jon Wat's performance as the boy Mozart was flat and forgettable. His energy level stayed consistently lacking, and his childlike affectations seemed forced and overly-calculated. Overall, the show served its purpose as children's infotainment, but college-age audiences are not likely to remember the show.
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