The College of Charleston Opera will present Caught in the Act! – a variety of scandalous scenes from the operatic and musical theatre repertoire. Featuring works by Mozart, Massenet, Tchaikovsky, Sondheim and more, the show is part of an anthological-like series at the College in which a common theme of diverse music scenes that best fit the talents of the season’s current performers, is crafted into an entertaining concert. Student performers and their mentors work tirelessly to polish and present it.
“Once we have heard everyone, we can determine the level of experience in the repertoire and voice type…this allows us to then choose the repertoire for the program,” describes Director of Opera Saundra DeAthos-Meers. She further explains, “They begin the learning process on their own while also working with our amazing faculty pianists, Lorna Barker and Wojciech Milewski. Once the music is learned and memorized, Assistant Director of Opera Amanda Castellone and I stage each scene, giving acting coaching specific to the genre and era while helping them with the musical style.”
The production will star a wide array of talent from the program, from seasoned student performers ready to return to the stage to novice newcomers prepared to make their debuts. “Our Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop consists of five freshmen, six sophomores, one junior, five seniors, and three Post-Baccalaureate Artist in Residence participants,” states DeAthos-Meers. “I am most excited to see our students grow,” she continues. “We benefit from this as an audience through their beautiful singing and wonderful storytelling.” Not only will the show exhibit vocal and dramatic talent, but it will also display beautiful technical elements, such as lighting designed by CofC Department of Theatre and Dance alumnus Eddie Frye and supertitles for scenes in foreign languages.
The show contains a series of thrilling numbers that are “varied in style, language and genre,” mentions DeAthos-Meers, “which means there is something to love for everyone. Personally, there is something that is my favorite in every piece. I love the drama of Manon, I love the characters in The Marriage of Figaro and I love the choreography of Chicago!”
DETAILS: Performances of Caught in the Act! will be staged at the Chapel Theatre (172 Calhoun St.) on October 25 at 7:00 p.m., October 26 at 6:00 p.m., and October 27 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $13 for students and $25 for general admission.
Link for general admission tickets
OR buy tickets from George Street Box Office in person at 44 George St., by emailing gsbo@cofc.edu, or calling (843) 953-4726.
All info can be found at charleston.edu/music/concerts/
