As the play Amadeus opens, Salieri, the court composer, addresses the audience in Workshop Theatre as “ghosts of the future.” He takes them from his introduction to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to his “killing” of Mozart to his attempted suicide. Played brilliantly by Christopher Cockrell, Salieri leads his captive audience through his “conquest” of the young genius Mozart. “There is not anything a man might not do to become a famous composer,” he says as he fights God through his “preferred creation…Amadeus.”

The setting is a small traditional, almost stark stage backlighted by subdued high–tech images of Vienna. The themes are universal and hardhitting: the conflict of generations, tradition versus change, and youthful obscenity confronting stodgy convention. Mozart stands for the common man; Salieri worships gods and heroes. Mozart seeks acceptance; Salieri seeks revenge.

Kevin Bush as Mozart bounces around the stage uttering high–pitched nervous laughs as he challenges the court of Emperor Joseph II (Perry Simpson) with “vulgar” operas that reach out to the people of Germany. Along the way he ravishes his future wife Constanze (played coyly by Katelin Wilcox), insults the three courtiers (played by Walker Gaddy, David Cherveny, and Chip Collins), and seduces the opera star, Katherin Cavalieri (played by Reese Witherspoon– lookalike Giulia Dalbec– Matthews).

Workshop has a hit. The standing ovation was well–deserved. Amadeus – written by Peter Shaffer, directed by Scott Blanks, and produced by Don Alcorn and Clay Owens run through February 11. Call 803.799.6551 for tickets.