BIZET’S CARMEN
THEATRE STAFF
Founder & Executive Director .. Jason Goedken
Founder & Artistic Consultant .. Whitney Morse
Artistic Director ........................... Angel Creeks
Director of Operations .................... Jon Cronin
Director of Business .................... Sean Graham
Director of People,
Projects & Culture Leslie Becker
Development Director .......... Yasmeen Stogden
Marketing Director ........Monica Berdecio, MA
Senior Manager of Technical Operations......................Clay Becker
Booking & Contracts Manager ......Sierra Weiss
Assistant Production Manager .......... Madi Carr
Deck & Facilities Coordinator .. Tony Fairchild
Lighting Supervisor ................... Ally Southgate
Associate Lighting Supervisor ..... Dio Raquel Jr.
Production Swing ..................... Nichole Pollack
Manager of Patron Services ............ Alec Speers
Assistant Manager of Patron Services Tina Carroll
Assistant Manager of Patron Services ...........................Lonnie Goertz
Assistant Manager of Patron Services .............. Savannah Rose Parker
Marketing & Social Media Coordinator Natalie Bollinger
Marketing Account Manager ........ Erika Nelson
Graphic Designer ......................... Krissi Kugler
Lead Housekeeper ....................... Victoria Doss
Ad Sales ... marketing@significantproductions.org
SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS BOARD
President .................................................................................................. Elliot Sussman, MD, MBA
Vice President ..................................................................................................... Marcus Bridgewater
Treasurer
Secretary
Donna Taylor
Elizabeth Constant
Board Member ............................................................................................................ Jason Goedken
The Sharon®L. Morse
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Dear Patron of the Arts,
Welcome to The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center!
This year marks a very special milestone—10 years since The Sharon first opened its doors. What began in 2015 as a bold dream has grown into a vibrant home for live performance, rooted in the adventurous and artistic spirit of my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse.
Over the past decade, we’ve been honored to earn your trust, show by show, standing ovation by standing ovation. Whether you’re here tonight to experience a beloved Broadway tour, a favorite artist, or something entirely new, know that every performance has been thoughtfully curated by our passionate team of artists and arts administrators.
As we celebrate our first ten years, we’re also stepping into an exciting new chapter: The Sharon is now proudly powered by Significant Productions, a registered nonprofit dedicated to creating meaningful, memorable arts experiences in our community. With this new foundation, we’re not only preserving what makes The Sharon special, we’re building toward a future filled with bold ideas, diverse stories, and even more opportunities to surprise and delight you.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re so glad you’re here. Enjoy the show, and here’s to the next ten years of discovery, connection, and applause.
See You at The Sharon,
Whitney Morse
Founder & Artistic Consultant
Significant Productions
ART. ARTISTS. AUDIENCE. SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS (SIGPRO) is a Non-Profit arts organization that operates The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center (The Sharon) & The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol (The Studio).
OUR MISSION; SigPro cultivates a diverse collaborative community with a focus on artists' well-being that strives to provoke thought and spark conversation through high quality performing arts.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
We believe that fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace is essential for the creation of exceptional art. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our employees. This ensures every individual who contributes to our productions feels valued and empowered. We actively promote a workplace culture that embraces differences and encourages collaboration among our diverse team of artists, technicians, administrators, and volunteers.
Thank
You FOR SUPPORTING SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS
STANDING OVATION
$2,022 A YEAR
Robert & Joan Jalbert
Jim & Dee Judd
Andy Pawlowski
Elliot Sussman
John Swartz
ENCORE ENTHUSIASTS
$60 A MONTH
Celeste Hankins
John Hilt
April Linscott
Marianne Niesen
Jim Ward
ARTS AMBASSADORS
$30 A MONTH
Marie Connolly
Mary Homko
Russell Jones
Bob & Diane Kendi
Honey & David Kirk
Edward & Gayle Labuda
Kathleen Litch
Holly Nicholson
Dina Nizza
Bonnie Park
Karen & Clarence Russell Jr.
Patricia Schlemmer
Donna Silver
Donna Taylor
Jan & Dave Thomas
Bob & Iris Trinh
Barbara & John Van Dyke
Melissa Warner
DEDICATIONS
Ursula Becker
Derek Mumford
Peg Fiore
Alice Stogden
Jackson L. Straub III, M.D.
Lorraine Torgerson
Thank you to our Vibe Setters and anonymous donors.
PRIVATE BOX experience
ENJOY YOUR NEXT SHOW AT THE SHARON LIKE A VIP!
• Exclusive experience for up to 15 guests.
• Private lounge for the evening, including home-like furnishings, restroom, and direct access to the auditorium box for comfortable viewing of your show.
• Upgrades available such as a private bartender or personalized celebratory furnishings.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CREATING AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER!
To explore accommodations and availability, please contact VIP@SignificantProductions.org
PROGRAM
ACT I
In Seville by a cigarette factory, the men of Seville gather to watch the female workers—especially their favorite, the Gypsy Carmen. She tells her admirers that love is free and obeys no rules. Only one man pays no attention to her: Don José. Carmen throws a flower at him, and the girls go back to work. José picks up the flower and hides it when Micaëla returns. She brings a letter from José’s mother, who lives in a village in the countryside. As he begins to read the letter, Micaëla leaves. José is about to throw away the flower when a Carmen appears and tries once again to seduce Don Jose. Zuniga sends José to arrest the Gypsy because she has reportedly caused an uproar with the other girls in the factory. Carmen refuses to answer Zuniga’s questions, and José is ordered to take her to prison. Left alone with him, she entices José with suggestions of a rendezvous at Lillas Pastia’s tavern. Mesmerized, he agrees to let her get away. As they leave for prison, Carmen escapes. Don José is arrested.
ACT II
Carmen and her friends Frasquita and Mercédès entertain the guests at the tavern. Zuniga tells Carmen that José has just been released. The bullfighter Escamillo enters, boasting about the pleasures of his profession, and flirts with Carmen, who tells him that she is involved with someone else. After the tavern guests have left with Escamillo, the smugglers Dancaïre and Remendado explain their latest scheme to the women. Frasquita and Mercédès are willing to help, but Carmen refuses because she is in love. The smugglers withdraw as José approaches. Carmen arouses his jealousy by telling him how she danced for Zuniga. She dances for him now, but when a bugle call is heard he says he must return to the barracks. Carmen mocks him. To prove his love, José shows her the flower she threw at him and confesses how its scent made him not lose hope during the weeks in prison. She is unimpressed: if he really loved her, he would desert the army and join her in a life of freedom in the mountains. José refuses, and Carmen tells him to leave. Zuniga bursts in, and in a jealous rage José fights him. The smugglers return and disarm Zuniga. José now has no choice but to join them.
ACT III
Carmen and José quarrel in the smugglers’ mountain hideaway. She admits that her love is fading and advises him to return to live with his mother. When Frasquita and Mercédès turn the cards to tell their fortunes, they foresee love and riches for themselves, but Carmen’s cards spell death—for her and for José. Micaëla appears, frightened by the mountains and afraid to meet the woman who has turned José into a criminal. She hides when a shot rings out. José has fired at an intruder, who turns out to be Escamillo. He tells José that he has come to find Carmen, and the two men fight. The smugglers separate them, and Escamillo invites everyone, Carmen in particular, to his next bullfight. When he has left, Micaëla emerges and begs José to return home. He agrees when he learns that his mother is dying, but before he leaves he warns Carmen that they will meet again.
ACT IV
Back in Seville, in front of the arena, Carmen arrives on Escamillo’s arm, and Frasquita and Mercédès warn her that José is nearby. Unafraid, she waits outside the entrance as the crowds enter the arena. José appears and begs Carmen to forget the past and start a new life with him. She calmly tells him that their affair is over: she was born free and free she will die. The crowd is heard cheering Escamillo. José keeps trying to win Carmen back. She takes off his ring and throws it at his feet before heading for the arena. In the end, Don José stabs her to death and the curtain comes down on the tragic ending of this great opera. CHANGE
Join local artists as they sing songs of Inspiration, Love, and Hope for World Peace.
Uplifting songs including classic favorites and renditions of modern music meant to bring happiness to anyone who hears these talented musicians.
MAR 13 • 3 & 7pm
$25 AND UP | $20 LIMITED VIEW
CAST
Don Jose ............................................................................................... Todd Wilander
Escamillo ................................................................................................... Miguel Salas
Zuniga ................................................................................................... Sam Reynolds
Lillas Pastia ................................................................................................ Pete Covella
Carmen .......................................................................................... Kaitlyn McMonigle
Micaela.................................................................................................... Christina Bell
Frasquita ........................................................................................... Maria Steinhilber
Mercedes .............................................................................................. Amanda Caban
El Dancairo ........................................................................................ Brandan Sanchez
El Ramendado ...................................................................... Brandon Pencheff-Martin
Narrator ................................................................................................ Kathleen Kane
Producer/Director ..................................................................................... Bill Doherty
Stage Director ......................................................................... Kristin Patterson Brehm
Stage Manager ........................................................................................... Heather Ard
Asst Stage Manager.................................................................................. Ann Forrester
Costumes ............................................................................................ Costume World www.CostumeWorldTheatrical.com
TODD WILANDER (Don Jose) Praised by Opera News for his “clear and sweet lyrical tone” and “brave, vocally assured portrayals” (New York Times), Todd Wilander is one of America’s most sought-after leading tenors. Since winning The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, he has appeared with the company singing Arturo
Lucia Di Lammermoor (James Levine), Harry La Fanciulla Del West and Ensemble 15 The Nose (HD Movie) and covered many roles including Almaviva Il Barbiere Di Siviglia, Beppe I Pagliacci, Der Narr Wozzeck, American Congressman Two Boys, Marcellus Hamlet, Gambler 1 Gambler, Malcolm Macbeth and Young Prisoner From The House Of The Dead. Upcoming engagements include a return to the Metropolitan Opera for Riccardo Un Ballo In Maschera and Don Alvaro La Forza Del Destino, Samson Samson Et Dalila with Theater Erfurt (Germany) and Turiddu Cavalleria Rusticana with the Verdi Opera Chorus of Los Angeles.
MIGUEL SALAS (Escamillo) Venezuelan baritone Miguel Arturo Salas-Bourgeois studied opera in Italy, Venezuela, and the United States, developing a versatile repertoire that spans opera and musical theatre. His operatic work includes roles in works by Puccini, Verdi, Mozart, Rossini, Milhaud, as well as musical theatre in plays like Man of La Mancha in a production by the Garden Theatre. He has worked for several years with Maestro Bill Doherty and Central Florida Lyric Opera, where he both directed Puccini’s La Bohème and performed the role of Marcello last season. He is pleased to be part of this production of Carmen.
SAM REYNOLDS (Zuniga) Bass-Baritone has won several vocal competitions including National Finalist for The Metropolitan Opera, first prize for The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and the Houston Concerto Competition. Mr. Reynolds has over 30 operatic roles to his credit and is celebrating his 36th season as a principal artist with CFLO. When asked the question, “Why Opera”? I can answer in one word- passion! After experiencing a beautiful opera performance - I feel catapulted to a much higher dimension where earthly words can not describe the joy, pain, humanity, sacrifice and dedication - all felt at the same time - leaving you with a purpose and a dream for living
PETE COVELLA (Lillas Pastia) makes his opera and stage debut in this production of Carmen—a moment that is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. He has sung in choirs for more than 30 years and is currently a choir member and cantor at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lady Lake, FL. Now retired, Pete lives in The Villages after a long and successful career in Big Oil and commodities trading. When not singing, he enjoys pickleball, woodworking, bicycling, and, of course, pickleball.
KAITLYN MCMONIGLE (Carmen) mezzo-soprano, hailing from Ocala, FL is making her Carmen debut with the Central Florida Lyric Opera. She received her MM in Vocal Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School Music on a full scholarship under the tutelage of renown Metropolitan Opera soprano Carol Vaness. As a Graduate Assistant she performed principal roles including Suzuki (Madame Butterfly), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), and Bradamante (Alcina). She received her BM from Florida State University (2014). Kaitlyn went on to perform for multiple seasons with Wolf Trap Opera (Vienna, VA), Santa Fe Opera, Shreveport Opera, and the Miami Music Festival with roles that included Suzuki (Madame Butterfly) Anita (West Side Story), Mistress Salome (Safe Word), and Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking). Kaitlyn has been performing with Central Florida Lyric Opera since 2005 under the direction of Maestro Bill Doherty in various concerts and opera productions in The Villages where she had role debuts including Rosina (The Barber of Seville) and Despina (Così fan tutte). Kaitlyn is currently the lead vocalist for a unique electronic fusion duo based in South Florida performing a wide variety of musical genres including rock, pop, jazz, reggae, country, and EDM at private parties, weddings, corporate events, and luxury resorts throughout South Florida and The Hamptons, NY.
MARIA STEINHILBER (Frasquita) is a coloratura soprano from Germany, currently performing as a Resident Artist with Central Florida Lyric Opera with whom she will make her debut as Frasquita. Maria graduated in June 2025 with a master’s degree in opera singing from the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava, Slovakia. Her operatic repertoire includes Queen of the Night from W. A. Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Mrs. Wordsworth in Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring (Slovak National Theater, Bratislava) Adele from the operetta Die Fledermaus as well as Madame Herz in Mozart’s The Impresario. Maria has participated in various vocal master classes, among others with Pavol Breslik, Vladimír Chmelo, John Thomasson and Franz Hawlata. She was an ensemble member of Junge Oper Stuttgart for five years as well as performing
CAST
in a youth project of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. She has the distinction of being the first singer admitted to the Stuttgarter Künstlerbund (Stuttgart Artists’ Association).
AMANDA CABAN (Mercedes) Puerto Rican-American mezzo soprano Amanda Cabán is an accomplished performer with an array of experience in both opera and concert repertoire. Some of her recent, notable roles are as La Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), Ma Moss (The Tenderland), Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte), Old Lady (Candide), Meg (Falstaff), and Carmen (Carmen). Cabán returns to Central Florida Lyric Opera for the role of Mercedes this season. She was formerly an artist-in-residence with CFLO, performing the roles of Mercedes (Carmen), Third Lady (The Magic Flute), and Cherubino (Marriage of Figaro). Cabán has a passion for Latin-American and Spanish repertoire, participating in the Zarzuela USA workshops and working towards broadening the audience for this genre. Cabán has appeared as the soloist for works such as: de Falla’s El Amor Brujo, the Ellingboe Requiem, Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah, and the Mozart Requiem. She maintains a private voice studio out of Chicago, IL and serves on the board for the Chicago chapter of NATS.
BRANDAN SANCHEZ (El Dancairo) Baritone, Brandan Sanchez has quickly built a dynamic and visible portfolio career having performed some of the most beloved operas, oratorios, and art song cycles popular with today’s audiences. Brandan has been fortunate enough to perform a wide range of roles which include Schaunard (La Bohéme), Belcore (L’elisir d’amore), Sergeant of Police / Samuel (The Pirates of Penzance), Don Pedro (Songbird), Prince Yamadori (Madama Butterfly), Cesare (Viva la Mamma!), El Dancaïro (Carmen). He has sung the role of The Celebrant in multiple productions of Bernstein’s Mass. Brandan has had the pleasure of singing on various stages, from the United States with Symphony Silicon Valley (CA), Peninsula Cantare (CA), the Lafayette Master Chorale (IN), to international venues with the Ireland Limerick Sinfonia and the Cairo Festival Symphony. Brandan has been recognized through awards like the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation’s Liana K. Sandin Voice Scholarship. He has been privileged to participate as a Young Artist at Cedar Rapids Opera, the Mary Ragland Emerging Artists at Nashville Opera and the Baumgartner Studio Artists at The Florentine Opera Company in Milwaukee, WI. Brandan resides in Chicago, IL.
BRANDON PENCHEFF-MARTIN
(El Ramendado) is thrilled to be making his Central Florida Lyric Opera debut, singing the role of El Remendado. An NYC based tenor and recent graduate of Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed tenor Dimitri Pittas, this burgeoning singer has had the privilege to perform both domestically and internationally. Past credits include: Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi with Opera Lucca (Italian Debut); Le Comte Barigoule in Cendrillon at Manhattan School of Music; Don Basilio/Don Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro with Saluzzo Opera Academy; and Gabriel von Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus with Berlin Opera Academy (German Debut). Upcoming credits include: Der Tenor/Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos with Bronx Opera (cover); Don Ottavio in Don
Giovanni with Palisades Opera; and Siegmund in Die Walküre with Dramatic Voices Berlin. Thanks to Dimitri and Nobuko for their help and guidance, Maestro Bill Doherty for this opportunity, and especially Sarah, without whom nothing would be possible.
KATHLEEN KANE (Narrator) Kathleen’s musical journey began in Pennsylvania. Since then that journey has allowed her to perform in Italy, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, NYC, Orlando, and all around Central Florida. She has made The Villages an awesome performance base throughout the years and has made many close friends in the area. Kathleen also worked for The Villages radio station, WVLG, as Manager and morning show host. She has also conducted many interviews of celebrities coming into The Villages for many years. Kathleen currently narrates audiobooks, voiceovers, and continues to entertain locally and abroad. She resides in Candler, FL with her three dogs, Scarlett macaw and Horses.
MAESTRO BILL DOHERTY (Producer, Conductor) is an internationally acclaimed pianist, conductor, composer, singer, and vocal coach. Trained at the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School, he has graced iconic venues including St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Vatican, Lincoln Center, and The Salzburg Festival among many others. He has performed by request for both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, premiering his Requiem in Jerusalem commissioned by the Vatican. Doherty has collaborated with renowned opera stars including Licia Albanese, Deborah Voigt and many others, and appeared on PBS, CBS, NBC, and the Late Show with David Letterman. Founder of Central Florida Lyric Opera and Director of Music at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, his extraordinary contributions have been recognized by President George W. Bush among other prominent politicians. Among his many honors he is the recipient of the New York State Council on the Arts Humanities Award and his signature has been immortalized on the “Muro di Alassio” in Alassio, Italy.
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