In the tiny, cash-strapped nation of Pontevedro, the most valuable natural resource isn't gold or oil 鈥� it鈥檚 a wealthy widow with a very large inheritance. A cast of 34 and full 42-piece orchestra will present Franz Leh谩r鈥檚 operetta 鈥淭he Merry Widow鈥� Feb. 27-March 1 on 91看片鈥檚 Kirkpatrick mainstage.
鈥淭his flirtatious frolic is perfect for Valentine鈥檚 month,鈥� said David Herendeen, OCU鈥檚 director of opera and music theater. 鈥淲inking waltzes, twirling tunes, playful polkas fill the stage and embroider the stories of love forbidden 鈥� and love rekindled.鈥�
The operetta will be performed in English with projected supertitles. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and 28, and 2 p.m. March 1. Tickets are available online at or by calling 405-208-5227.
The plot follows the schemes of the tiny nation of Pontevedro to keep a wealthy widow鈥檚 fortune within its borders by finding her a new love. The Metropolitan Opera called Leh谩r鈥檚 1905 work 鈥渁 delightful concoction of elegant romance, screwball comedy, and biting social critique, all wrapped up in infinitely hummable melodies and unforgettable dance tunes.鈥�
Guest director Cynthia Stokes, returning to campus after directing 鈥淭he Magic Flute鈥� in 2023, will present a free talk 30 minutes before curtain of each performance.
The production features Jan McDaniel as music director and Vincent Sandoval, Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment resident artist, as choreographer. Original costumes are designed by Megan Hickey, with lighting by Brady J. Hillman and scenic design by guest artist Robin Vest. Madeline Belcher is assistant director.
OCU鈥檚 spring season will continue with the Spotlight musical comedy 鈥淭he Prom鈥� March 6-8 and the season-finale musical 鈥淎nastasia鈥� April 24-26.
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THE CAST:
Featuring Nick Montgomery as Baron Mirko Zeta; Avery Benjamin, Teagan Sharkey and Elina Viana (cover) as Valencienne; James Pendergast and Ryan Walshaw as Count Danilo Danilovitch; Faith Dengate, Olivia Flores and Lailah Johnson (cover) as Hanna Glawari; Gavin Felciano and Alessandro Gucciardi as Camille de Rosillon; Blake Narcisian as Cascada; Isaac Lynee as Raoul de St. Brioche; Brady McComas as Bogdonovich; Lailah Johnson and Hannah Beth Baker (cover) as Sylvaine; Zane Brolin as Kromov; Elina Viana and Lily Cherney (cover) as Olga; Giancarlo Holland as Pritschitsch; Malori Martin as Prascowia; Dominic Sicola as Njegus; and Ella Hayes, Chloe Orfanella, Evie Shirah, Grace Smithy and additional dancers as Grisettes.
In the chorus: sopranos Hannah Beth Baker, Lily Cherney, Ella Hayes, Abbie Mitchell and Evie Shirah; mezzo-sopranos Emma Johnston, Chloe Orfanella, Grace Smithy and Ella Thurlow; tenors Tyler Hoverson, Alek Lipinski, William Lovell, Trip Shirah and Hayden Thompson; and baritone/basses Decouteau Lamb, Reid Negron, Sam Owens, Noah Parker and Brady Simanton.
