Source: Marci Maullar, 785-532-6878, marcima@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010

K-STATE OPERA THEATER TO PRESENT 'THE HOTEL CASABLANCA'

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University Opera Theater will present "The Hotel Casablanca" at 7:30 p.m. March 3-6 and a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. March 7, all in Nichols Theater.

Written by Thomas Pasatieri, "The Hotel Casablanca" is an opera set in Texas in 1948. The comical performance follows the lives of Tom and Tallulah Carter, wealthy owners of the Double T Ranch, and the many guests of their ranch. The production is filled with supposed identities and attempted revenge as based on the farce "A Flea in Her Ear" by Georges Feydeau.

The K-State production of "The Hotel Casablanca" is directed by Reginald Pittman, director of the K-State opera program and associate professor of music; musical accompaniment is by William Wingfield; set design is by Kathy Voecks, assistant professor of theater; and costume design is by Dana Pinkston, associate professor of theater.

Tickets are $15 for the general public, $13 for seniors and military, and $10 for students. They can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by calling McCain at 785-532-6428 during box office hours. Tickets also may be purchased at the Little Theater box office in the K-State Student Union from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. Groups of 10 or more may receive a discount rate. For more information or assistance in planning a theater party, contact Marci Maullar at 785-532-6878.

K-State students in the cast or crew for "The Hotel Casablanca" include:

Cassity Mitchell, senior in music education, Bonner Springs, as Lucy; Bryan Pinkall, graduate student in music, Great Bend, as Charles; D.J. Davis, sophomore in music education, as Raul, and Ross Hasler, senior in theater, lighting design, both from Manhattan; Kelsey Brown, junior in music, as Veronique, and Greg Myers, sophomore in theater, stage manager, both from Overland Park; Aaron Burke, junior in music education, Parsons, as Charles; Ariana Stavropoulos, senior in elementary education, Salina, as Miss Pooder; Drew Hansen, sophomore in architectural engineering and applied music, Topeka, as Tobias; and Erin Ayers, senior in vocal performance, Wichita, as Tallulah.

From out of state: Samuel Brinton, senior in mechanical engineering and applied music, Perry, Iowa, as Tobias; Matt Sommer, junior in music education, Papillion, Neb., as Tom; and Donovan Woods, freshman in vocal performance, Bedford, Texas, as Burton.