Midlands Light Opera Society will present their inaugural production, a double bill of one-act comic operettas August 18-20 at The Living Room at 6729 Two Notch Road, Columbia.
The performances are directed by Michael T. Brown, accompanied on keyboard by Ashleigh Morse, and produced by Evelyn Clary.
“Trial by Jury” is Gilbert and Sullivan’s only work without any spoken dialogue, and was one of the duo’s early successes. Angelina (Greer Arcomona) has been jilted by her fiancé Edwin (Roddey Smith), so she hires an attorney (Felicia Torres) and takes him to court. This is not your great grandparents’ court, though; it is a reality TV-style courtroom with an inept judge (Evelyn Clary). Abraham Hardy sings the role of the Usher, and Nikki Anderson is playing the foreperson of the Jury.
“The Dramatic Criminals” is a new English-language adaptation of Jacques Offenbach’s “Tromb-al-Cazar,” featuring a libretto by Evelyn Clary. Ginger (Clary), Victor (Hardy), and Linc (Brown) are on the run from a powerful entertainment company that recently purchased the rights to their touring production of Macbeth. the Operetta. They wind up in a bar owned by Ginger’s ex-husband Billy Bob (Smith). Billy Bob fears this group to be a group of notorious criminals, and hilarity ensues.
Midlands Light Opera Society exists to provide a place for singers of all experience levels and ages to perform light opera/operetta together. The cast ranges in age from 8 to over 70 and consists of singers holding graduate degrees in voice, seasoned choral singers, and some just starting out in their vocal journeys. There are several couples, parent and child groups and even sibling groups participating together.
“I am excited for what this group means for Columbia,” says Clary. “There are few opportunities to sing in staged operas and operettas, and none I know of where I can bring my daughter along to sing alongside me. I am enjoying this wonderful community, and am loving adapting works for our casts and our audiences to enjoy.”
The Living Room is located inside Jubilee Circle, which is next to Very’s Restaurant.
Performances will be at 8 pm on August 18 and 19. The Sunday, August 20 performance will be at 3 pm.
Tickets will be $10 for general admission and may be purchased online or at the door with cash or card.
