Source: Chelsey Eimer, 785-532-6878, cbeimer@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA: 'GIANNI SCHICCHI' AND 'TROUBLE IN TAHITI' COMING TO MCCAIN MARCH 10-12

MANHATTAN -- Family woes are the focus of two one-act operas being presented by Kansas State University's Opera Theater. "Gianni Schicchi" and "Trouble in Tahiti" will be staged at 7:30 p.m. March 10-12 in McCain Auditorium.

Written by Giacomo Puccini, chaos ensues in "Gianni Schicchi" after the relatives of a wealthy man search to collect their earnings from his will. The family members then call upon the less-than-scrupulous Schicchi to secure their inheritance. Puccini composed some of the most frequently performed operas in the world, including the masterpieces "La Boheme" and "Madama Butterfly."

"Trouble in Tahiti," written by Leonard Bernstein, looks at marriage in 1950s' American suburbia. Bernstein was the famed American conductor, composer and pianist who wrote the music and score for the successful Broadway hit and film "West Side Story."

The K-State productions of "Gianni Schicchi" and "Trouble in Tahiti" are directed by Reginald Pittman, director of the K-State opera program and associate professor of music. Music is directed by Amanda Arrington, staff accompanist; costume design is by Dana Pinkston, associate professor of theater; scenic design is by Kathy Voecks, assistant professor and resident scenic designer; lighting design is by Darren Levin, assistant technical director of McCain Auditorium; and sound design is by Kyle McGuffin, technical director of McCain Auditorium.

Tickets are $16 for the general public, $14 for seniors and military, and $11 for students. They can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or by calling 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. Wednesday through Friday. 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 operas include:

Cassity Mitchell, senior in music education, Bonner Springs, as Zita in "Gianni Schicchi"; Marguerite Fredericksen, senior in applied music, Fort Scott, as Nella in "Gianni Schicchi"; Alex Spence, sophomore in applied music, Hutchinson, as Gherardo in "Gianni Schicchi."

From Manhattan: Samuel Brinton, senior in applied music and mechanical engineering-nuclear option, as Betto in "Gianni Schicchi"; Janie Brokenicky, master's student in music, as Dinah in "Trouble in Tahiti"; D.J. Davis, junior in music education, as Gianni Schicchi in "Gianni Schicchi"; William Stanfield, junior in music education, as Marco in "Gianni Schicchi"; Jason Strong, freshman in theater, as Pinellino in "Gianni Schicchi"; and Sarah Wirtz, freshman in music education, as Gherardino in "Gianni Schicchi."

Marsha Sterneker, senior in theater, McPherson, scenic design; Kevin Payton, sophomore in theater, Munjor, as Guccio in "Gianni Schicchi"; Kelsey Brown, senior in applied music and communication studies, as Lauretta in "Gianni Schicchi," and Gregory Myers, sophomore in theater, stage manager, both from Overland Park; Aaron Burke, senior in music education, Parsons, tenor in "Trouble in Tahiti"; Devan Castle, freshman in theater, assistant stage manager, and Ariana Stavropoulos, senior in elementary education, as La Ciesca in "Gianni Schicchi," both from Salina; Kirsten Hyde, sophomore in music, Shawnee, as Lauretta in the March 11 performance of "Gianni Schicchi".

From Topeka: Niklas Bergstrom, sophomore in theater, baritone, in "Trouble in Tahiti"; Drew Hansen, junior in applied music, as Sam in "Trouble in Tahiti"; and Matthew Patton, senior in applied music, as Rinuccio in "Gianni Schicchi."

From out of state: Allison Bauer, senior in theater and Spanish-Hispanic studies, Cherry Hills Village, Colo., costume design; Heather Haberberger, senior in applied music, Fenton, Mo., soprano in "Trouble in Tahiti"; Matthew Sommer, senior in music education, Papillion, Neb., as Simone in "Gianni Schicchi"; Ryan Dillon, sophomore in music education, Plano, Texas, as Nicolao in "Gianni Schicchi"; and Caiel Noble, sophomore in theater, Woodbridge, Va., as Spinelloccio in "Gianni Schicchi."