Opera 'Susannah' at Chapman Theatre Feb. 27-March 1
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020
The opera "Susannah" will be presented by K-State Opera and K-State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-29 and 2:30 p.m. March 1 in the Mark A.Chapman Theatre in Nichols Hall.
MANHATTAN — K-State Opera and K-State Theatre, both part of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Kansas State University, are presenting the opera "Susannah" Feb. 27-March 1 at the Mark A. Chapman Theatre in Nichols Hall. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-29 and 2:30 p.m. March 1.
Tickets for "Susannah" are $14 for K-State students and youth under 18; $17.50 for K-State faculty and staff, seniors age 55 and over and for military; and $19.50 for the general public. Tickets may be purchased online at k-state.edu/mtd/tickets or by calling 785-236-8638. Tickets also may be purchased in person at 119 Nichols Hall one hour before showtime.
Written by Carlisle Floyd in response to McCarthyism and the Red Scare, the opera "Susannah" is based loosely on the apocryphal tale of Susannah and the Elders set in rural Tennessee. Susannah is one of the prettiest young girls in New Hope Valley, sparking jealousy among women in the town for the attention she receives from their husbands as well as hostility from her church community. One day, the church reverend seduces Susannah and is later found murdered. Her brother, Sam, is believed to be the murderer and the townspeople head to her home to drive her from the community.
"Susannah" is directed by Reginald Pittman, professor of opera. Music/orchestra director is Paul Hunt, professor of music. Also assisting with the production are James Davis, assistant professor of theatre, sound designer; Dana Pinkston, associate professor of theatre, costume designer; Ben Stark, associate professor of theater, technical director; and George Wame Matthews, instructor of theater, scene shop supervisor.
The following K-State students in the cast and crew of "Susannah":
Rylie Toom, senior in applied music, Andover, orchestra; Tara Sitzmann, junior in theatre, Basehor, light board operator; Nich Elliot, junior in theatre, Eudora, wardrobe crew.
From Greater Kansas City: Matthew Robison, sophomore in musical theatre, Merriam, as Sam Polk; Isaiah Petrie, freshman in applied music, Crystal Rathburn, junior in music education, and Haley Schwartz, freshman in music education, all from Olathe and all in the orchestra; Erin Grochowsky, junior in music education, as Mrs. McLean, and Deandra Horner, junior in life sciences and applied music, orchestra, both from Overland Park; and Daniel Smith, sophomore in music education, Shawnee, orchestra.
Braedon Bomgardner, junior in music education, Hutchinson, orchestra; Paige Kyle, senior in music education, Independence, orchestra; Morgan Grote, senior in vocal performance, and Paige Padgett, freshman in vocal performance, both from Lansing and both townspeople.
From Lawrence: Elias Beeson, freshman in vocal performance, as a townsperson; Ethan Irons, freshman in vocal performance, as a townsperson; Brayden LiaKos, freshman in music education, as a townsperson; and Simon Wenger, freshman in music education, as a townsperson.
From Manhattan: Gabe Bazil, junior in music education, orchestra; Ryan Hernandez, junior in music education, as Little Bat McLean; Maria Mencher, master's student in music, orchestra; Chris Reardon, junior in theatre, sound board operator; Claire Todd, sophomore in vocal performance, as Mrs. Hayes; and Anna Washburn, junior in secondary education-English, set/prop crew.
Quinton Church, master's student in vocal performance, Minneapolis, as Olin Blitch; Doug Ragon, sophomore in applied music, Newton, orchestra; Kaylee Warren, freshman in theatre, Salina, assistant stage manager.
From Topeka: Jesse Barnes, senior in theatre, lighting designer; Morgan Boyer, freshman in theatre, wardrobe crew; and Kolby Van Camp, junior in music education and music composition, as Elder McLean.
Marley Wareham, senior in music education, Whiting, as a townsperson.
From Wichita: Mark Ahlman, freshman in music education, orchestra; Ceslie Parker-Waller, senior in theatre, wardrobe crew; Ryan Teer, sophomore in musical theatre and psychology, as Elder Ott; and Kim Wong, senior in theatre, stage manager.
Sarrah Sultz, junior in vocal performance, Winfield, as Mrs. Gleaton.
From out of state: Bailey Tadda, junior in music education, Bella Vista, Arkansas, orchestra; Samantha Williams, senior in vocal performance, Branson, Missouri, as Susannah for the Feb. 27 and 29 performances; Oliver Hutchison, junior in civil engineering and vocal performance, Kansas City, Missouri, as Elder Gleaton; Masie Dulitz, sophomore in musical theatre, Kearney, Nebraska, as Mrs. Ott; Payton Boldt, sophomore in vocal performance, Omaha, Nebraska, as Susannah for the Feb. 28 and March 1 performances; Katherine Boulanger, master's student in theatre, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, scene shop graduate assistant; Lorenzo Butler, master's student in vocal performance, Lawton, Oklahoma, as Elder Hays; Julia Deeb, senior in vocal performance, Schertz, Texas, as a townsperson; and Michelle Koczan, junior in fine art, Spotsylvania, Virginia, wardrobe supervisor.
From out of country: Lars Quincke, senior in applied music, Germany, orchestra.
Also members of the cast and crew: Annie Davis, scenic designer; Mitchell Jerko, orchestra; and Alicia Willard, rehearsal accompanist and orchestra.
