Source: Marci Maullar, 785-532-6878, marcima@k-state.edu.
Editor's note: Leonard "Jay" Peters is a graduate of Lansing High School.
News release prepared by: Megan Wilson, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008
K-STATE OPERA THEATER TO PRESENT COMEDIC OPERA 'TOO MANY SOPRANOS'
MANHATTAN -- The opera theater program at Kansas State University will present the comedic opera "Too Many Sopranos" at 7:30 p.m. March 5-8 and 2:30 p.m. March 9 in Nichols Theater.
The opera is produced by the K-State theater program and the music department.
"Too Many Sopranos" is a two-act opera in English featuring songs from opera's various periods. The opera is composed by Edwin Penhorwood with libretto by Miki Thompson, a K-State alum.
"Too Many Sopranos" is about four divas who arrive in heaven to learn that there is an audition required to see which sopranos will join the Heavenly Chorus because there are not enough tenors and basses in heaven. However, St. Peter provides an alternative, the Redemption Clause. If the sopranos go to Hell and perform a selfless deed, they can bring back the tenors and basses needed for the Heavenly Chorus.
The opera is directed by Reginald Pittman, associate professor and head of the opera program. The scenic design for the performance is by Kathy Voecks, assistant professor of theater. The performance is sponsored by the Holiday Inn at the Campus.
Tickets cost $10 for students, $13 for military and $15 for the general public. They are available at the McCain Auditorium box office from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. They may also be purchased from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the K-State Student Union Little Theater's box office. To order by phone, call 785-532-6428 during box office hours. Tickets also may be ordered online at http://www.k-state.edu/theatre
K-State students participating as cast or crew in "Too Many Sopranos" include:
Kurt Krupp, senior in radio-TV, Ellsworth, as Gabriel; Amanda Jolly, senior in music education, Goodland, as Miss Titmouse; and Bryan Pinkall, graduate student in music, Great Bend, as Nelson Deadly.
From Greater Kansas City: Beth Rodina, graduate student in music, Kansas City, Kan., as Madam Pompous; Andrea Weber, senior music education, as Dame Doleful, and Kristin VanLerberg, senior in music education, as Just Jeanette, both of Olathe.
Dylan Evans, senior in animal sciences and industry, Lebo, as Sandman; Leonard "Jay" Peters, senior in applied music, as St. Peter, and Mai Shibahara, graduate student in music, as Just Jeanette, both of Manhattan; Tomas Lambotte, junior in music, Morrill, as the Unnamed Bass; Kelly Lucas, senior in English, Sublette, lighting; Griff Letch, junior in music, Topeka, as Enrico Carouser; and Chelsey Fritch, junior in applied music, Troy, as Dame Doleful.
From out of state: Samuel Brinton, senior in mechanical engineering, Perry, Iowa, as the guard Orson; and Jenna Huffman, senior in theater, Grand Island, Neb., costume coordination and design; and Matt Sommer, freshman in music education, Papillion, Neb., as the guard Orson.