OBU to Present Annual Music Theatre Scenes Program Nov. 21-22

Article Date

November 14, 2014

OBU's Music Theatre I class will present the annual Music Theatre Scenes program, titled "An Evening of Introductions." The event takes place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22, at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Yarborough Auditorium. The public is invited, and tickets are $5 at the door for adults, $3 for students and free for ages 12 and under.

Cast members of OBU Opera Theatre's 2013 production of "Street Scene." Photo by Bill Pope.

"An Evening of Introductions" features excerpts from three of the most popular works in the genres of musical theatre, opera and operetta along with one little-known musical theatre gem. In each scene the audience is introduced to new characters or the characters are meeting each other for the first time. Throughout the evening the audience will be introduced to these many characters and the life situations they encounter. Music Theater I students have been working on these scenes throughout the semester.

The first scene, starring Adam Holt, Nathan Sanders, Molly Iley, Elizabeth Clark, Jessi Cadenhead and Amanda Merrick is, a montage from the classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta set in Japan, "The Mikado." In this scene the audience will be introduced to the plot through a brief discussion and song between Pooh-Bah, a public official (who introduces himself and all of his numerous titles) and Nanki-Poo, a "strolling minstrel." The audience is then quickly introduced to three charming young schoolgirls, one of whom is unfortunately betrothed to the Lord High Executioner. Lastly, the desperate and frightening figure of Katisha, the forgotten woman, appears to mourn her sorry state.

The second scene, starring De'Ericka Givings, is taken from "I Can Get it for you Wholesale" and shows poor Miss Marmelstein stuck in a job that seems to be going nowhere fast. She never seems to get the respect or attention that she would like. She works hard, but no one seems to notice her. All she wants is just a hint of romance.

The second musical montage will come from Rogers & Hammerstein's "Carousel." In this scene, starring Andrea Larson and Adam Holt, the audience meets two of the minor stars of the show, Miss Carrie Pipperidge and Mr. Enoch Snow. Together they introduce themselves, the history of their courtship and their future plans together.

The final scene stars Bailee Rogers and Benjamin Hopkins. Taken from the end of Act I of Puccini's "La Bohème," the audience is introduced to two star-crossed lovers who meet for the first time and fall in love. Mimi and Rodolfo each share their own descriptions of who they are. Rodolfo begins with the poetic, "Che gelida manina," which transitions directly into Mimi's personal epithet, "Mi chiamano Mimi." The two join together for the deeply moving and sonorous, "O soave fanciulla."

Stage assistance is provided by Pi Tau chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and programs distributed by Alpha Eta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota.