Dr. Holly Janz, professor of voice and diction, recently starred as popular chef Julia Child in Fargo-Moorhead Opera’s one-act show, “Bon Appétit!”
In a review in The Forum newspaper, writer John Lamb called it a treat for the ears and eyes. “It’s as much a delight to watch Janz in the role as it is to listen to her. She wisely doesn’t try to mimic the iconic chef, but fills the part with joyful flourishes reminiscent of Child’s bubbly personality.”
Lamb goes on to say that though the play was originally written for Jean Stapleton, who starred as Edith Bunker in “All in the Family,” Janz made the show her own with her voice “ringing out richly and sparkling clear.”
“This role was challenging in a few ways,” Janz said. “The score took time and care to learn, the singing is fairly non-stop, and one must master all the culinary techniques while performing in a compelling way. But beyond all of that, it was a true honor to be a part of Julia’s world in this way. She was a fearless trailblazer!
Janz is a lyric mezzo-soprano. She has performed with opera companies across the country including Lyric Opera of the North, Winter Opera Saint Louis, Skylark Opera, Fargo-Moorhead Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, and Union Avenue Opera Theatre.