ASU Opera presents production April 21, featuring two one-act American operas

April 17, 2009 -- The Department of Music at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will present “American Operas for Young and Old,” a production to be given by the Opera Production class of ASU on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, 114 South Caraway Road, Jonesboro. The concert will feature members of the ASU Opera Production class, as well as a few members of the community. Accompanying on the piano will be Joy Sanford. The class is directed by Dr. Marika Kyriakos, associate professor of Music at ASU-Jonesboro. The performance is free of charge and open to the public.

The evening will consist of two one-act American operas. The first is Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” with music by Robert Kapilow. It is wonderfully appropriate for children, but of course suitable for anyone who is young at heart. After a short intermission, the cast will continue on the stage for Kurt Weill’s folk opera, “Down in the Valley.” This opera has some familiar tunes like the title itself. Not as appropriate for very young children, the story involves a young man who is destined to die on the gallows due to an unfortunate brawl over his loved one, ending in the death of an unfavorable suitor.

Members of the cast will be Crystal Haralson of Paragould, Kari Rickman of Bono, Savanna Traylor of Mountain Home, Renee Smith of Houston, Texas, Roberta Tupper of Bartlesville, Okla., and Rebecca Craft, Becky Morrison, Brandon Stroud, Willie Sullivan, and Matt Vardell of Jonesboro. Participating members of the community are Micah Allen, Bill Wage, Marc Sexton, and John Hays. Brent Foland and Stacy Alley of the Theater Department have assisted with costumes and choreography; general assistants are Janet Tullos and Pat Register, as well as Roberta Tupper, lighting.
 

###