Passionate season of opera opens July 7
Utah Festival Opera’s 12th season opens July 7th with Verdi’s dramatic tragedy, Rigoletto.
Norman and Simon’s emotional tale, The Secret Garden, opens July 8th, followed by Rossini’s enchanting fable, La Cenerentola (Cinderella), on July 9th.
The fourth and final opening night features Lerner and Loewe’s sentimental romance, Brigadoon, on July 10th.
All four main-stage productions run in repertory in the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan, Utah, July 7th through August 7th.
General Director Michael Ballam extends an invitation to experience the festive and friendly atmosphere of this lavish five-week event.
You won’t want to miss a summer filled with passion, disappointment, and hope in this emotionally packed season of intrigue and love. Additionally, Utah Festival Opera will tour performances of Brigadoon to the Val A. Browning Center, Austad Auditorium, in Ogden on July 20th, as well as the Eccles Performing Arts Center in Park City on July 27th.
Call the Dee Events Center at 800-978-8457 or SmithTix at 800-888-8499 to purchase tickets for the Ogden Brigadoon performance. Both single and season tickets are on sale now for the 2004 festival season.
For more information, visit www.ufoc.org or call the Dansante Box Office at 800-262-0074 or 435-750-0300, ext. 106.
Tickets are also available in person at the Dansante Box Office, 59 South 100 West, Logan, Utah 84321, through all ArtTix outlets, and on-line at www.tickets.com or arttix.org.
RIGOLETTO: Giuseppe Verdi [July 7, 15m, 17, 22m, 30, August 4, 7m]
Well-acquainted with the worldly vices of the Duke, Rigoletto underestimates his daughter’s headstrong nature and the Duke’s resourcefulness. Their ultimate pleasure results in a father’s oath of vengeance, the wrath of which rebounds upon Rigoletto himself.
Cast members include Michael Corvino as Rigoletto, Jennifer Welch-Babidge as Gilda, and Gabriel González as the Duke, with James Marvel directing, and Karen Keltner conducting.
THE SECRET GARDEN: Marsha Norman & Lucy Simon [July 8, 14, 17m, 21, 23, 28, 31, Aug 5]
This Broadway musical, based upon the favorite novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, beautifully portrays the healing power of love and how positive thinking can bring about a miracle of rebirth. Mary Lennox unlocks the secret of the earth and the heart, and creates a world where spring comes again.
Casting includes Michael Ballam as Archibald Craven, Suzan Hanson as Lily, Beth Alison as Mary Lennox, and Ethan DeVilbiss as Colin, with Jack Shouse directing, and Barbara Day Turner conducting.
LA CENERENTOLA: Gioacchino Rossini [July 9, 15, 22, 30m, August 4m, 6]
La Cenerentola (Cinderella) is an Italian version of the magical folktale. Serving her cruel stepfamily, Cinderella dreams of escaping her life amongst the cinders. Her gentle goodness and tender smile warm the hearts of all she meets. Enjoy this enchanting tale filled with love and surprise, and a bracelet that changes destiny!
Daughter, sister, friend-you’ll find them all in Cinderella.
UFO has two Cinderella stars this season, featuring Maria Zifchak and Tamara Mumford (July 30 only).
Other cast members include Ryan Allen as Don Magnifico, Curt Peterson as Prince Ramiro, Shon Sims as Dandini, Daniel Cole as Alidoro, with Brad Carroll directing, and Gerald Steichen conducting.
BRIGADOON: Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe [July 10, 14m, 16, 20, 23m, 27, 29, 31m, Aug 5m, 7]
Fall in love all over again with Tommy and Fiona as you witness how faith eventually moves an entire town.
Enjoy the whimsical loveliness of the Scottish Highlands with romantic melodies such as Almost Like Being in Love and The Heather on the Hill.
Simplicity, true love, and goodness indubitably prevail in this sentimental tale and you’ll find “When you love someone deeply, anythin’ is possible.”
A handsome Tod Fitzpatrick stars as Tommy, with Johanna Wiseman as the beautiful lass Fiona.
Other cast members include Shon Sims as Jeff, Kevin Massey as Charlie Dalrymple, and
John Hansen as Mr. Lundie, with Tony Parise directing and Karen Keltner conducting.
For more detailed artist information, download the Adobe Acrobat PDF file located at: http://www.ufoc.org/news/04cast.pdf