What happens behind the curtains at the symphony is just as captivating as what happens on stage. The show follows a brash new maestro Rodrigo who stirs up the New York Symphony as young oboist Hailey hopes for her big chance.
Gael García Bernal is the pixie dust sprinkled through Mozart in the Jungle, the latest original series from Amazon, giving this backstage-at-the-philharmonic dramedy its magic.
What works so well is that Mozart isn't afraid to throw you into a world you're likely unfamiliar with, but it doesn't swim so far into the deep end that you immediately drown in jargon and distanced dramatic stakes.
An interesting, colorful look at a world I don't know well, filled with fun performances, and you can watch the show improve right along with the orchestra itself.
Mozart in the Jungle made me laugh, although I have no idea whether it will make musicians or insiders with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra crack a smile. I hope they will let me know.
The small element of surprise provided by the transgressive behavior wears off soon, but thanks to the novel setting and subject matter, as well as the likable heroine, the premiere episode is promising.
The classical-music dramedy Mozart in the Jungle, the newest original series from Amazon Studios, doesn't require a degree in music or orchestra season tickets to appreciate.
What sets Mozart apart from MTV shows, though, is that here we have a handful of twentysomethings and a lot of older folks, not vice versa. It plays this fresh turf well, on both sides. If Mozart were here, he'd probably write the theme song.
