Ohio Light Opera 2023 Season Brochure

CAMELOT 1960

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner

Based on the novel The Once and Future King

by T. H. White

Music by Frederick Loewe

“Don’tlet it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot.” With these words—some of Broadway’s most unforgettable—King Arthur instills in a young boy the hopes and ideals of a once enchanted kingdom, where he himself had promoted justice and civility over battle and greed. These dreams are shattered, however, when Queen Guenevere falls in love with Arthur’s most trusted knight, Lancelot. Lerner and Loewe’s masterful score includes Arthur’s enchanting title song, Guenevere’s “The Simple Joys of Maidenhood” and “I Loved You Once in Silence,” Arthur and Guenevere’s “What Do the Simple Folk Do?”, Mordred’s “The Seven Deadly Virtues,” and a perennial hit parade favorite, Lancelot’s “If Ever I Would Leave You.” Join us on this musical and theatrical journey, and its promise—albeit for maybe only that shining moment—of a better world.

Conducted by Michael Borowitz

Directed by Steven A. Daigle

Show illustrations in this brochure by Daniel Hobbs

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

1961

Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert

Based on the novel of the same name by Shepherd

Mead

Music and Lyrics

Frank Loesser

by

Winner of seven Tony awards— including Best Musical and Best Book—and only the fourth musical to win the coveted Pulitzer Prize for Drama, How to Succeed was, and still is, a breath of Broadway fresh air. Forgoing the formulaic boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl plotline, it tells the story of a young window washer, J. Pierrepont Finch, who—always with his all-foreseeing How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying manual in hand—sets his sights on rising through the ranks of the World Wide Wicket Company. Through wily manipulation of the corporate hierarchy, along with a little encouragement from his doting personal secretary Rosemary and aid from the voluptuous Hedy La Rue, he is finally appointed chairman. Song highlights include Finch’s self-loving “I Believe in You”; “Grand Old Ivy,” his collegefight-song duet with company president Biggley; and the show-stopping, mockrevival “Brotherhood of Man.”

Conducted by Wilson Southerland

Directed by Jacob Allen

NO, NO, NANETTE 1925

Book by Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel

Lyrics by Irving Caesar and Otto Harbach

Music by Vincent

Youmans

“The perfect musical comedy ... No, No, Nanette proved … as it has proved everywhere it has been produced, that the public wants pretty tunes, clean, broad fun ... Seldom have we seen an audience thoroughly stamp an entertainment with its complete approval.” These comments from the New York Herald Tribune following the show’s 1925 Broadway opening were echoed by virtually every review of the show—from its pre-Broadway almost year-long run in Chicago to its 665-performance run in London to its 400-plus showing in Paris to its multi-month run in Melbourne. The 1920s saw more than 500 musicals open on Broadway—from operettas to revues to musical comedies. Yet none captured the carefree spirit and “roar” of the decade better than this Vincent Youmans masterpiece. “Tea for Two” has become one of the world’s most popular tunes; “I Want to Be Happy” elicited multiple encores show after show; and the cheeky “You Can Dance with Any Girl at All” leads into the charged first-act finale. Who would not want to see the “perfect musical”? Here is your chance … and, for the first time anywhere in many decades, in its original 1920s orchestration!

Conducted by Michael Borowitz

Directed by Steven A. Daigle

H.M.S. PINAFORE

1878

Libretto by William S. Gilbert

Music by Arthur Sullivan

Gilbert and Sullivan’s rollicking romp through naval life, class distinctions, and melodramatic villainy has entertained millions since its London premiere. Where else can one find a First Lord of the Admiralty who had never seen a ship, or a seafaring captain who gets seasick, or a nursemaid who can’t tell one baby from another? Josephine, the Captain’s daughter, is in love with able seaman Ralph Rackstraw. But her father has other plans for her: an advantageous union with the exalted Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. When the young couple’s elopement is thwarted by cantankerous seaman Dick Deadeye, it remains for Little Buttercup to confess that her baby farming techniques had left something to be desired … a many years ago. Never mind the why and wherefore— to list the catchy tunes in Pinafore is to cite the entire musical score.

Conducted by Wilson Southerland

Directed by Spencer Reese

ARIZONA LADY 1954

Original German Libretto by Alfred Grünwald and Gustav Beer

English Translation by Steven A. Daigle

Music

by

Emmerich Kálmán

Asinging cowboy … the Kentucky Derby … an Arizona ranch … a border dispute … a jealous sheriff. Hardly what you would expect from an Emmerich Kálmán operetta! His final stage work, which he did not live to see, was an homage to the country that had warmly embraced his music— on stage and on radio—for almost half a century and which welcomed him when he was driven out of Vienna. The plot centers on Hungarian ranch owner Lona Farrell, who has fired her overly brazen manager and is now left with no one to ride her racehorse, Arizona Lady. When guitar-slinging cowboy Roy Dexter shows up, she hires and takes a liking to him, but has second thoughts when she overhears him speaking of subservience, not realizing that he was talking to the horse (or was he?). Complications arise when a wealthy and jealous neighbor sabotages the big race. As OLO audiences have discovered in 13 previous Kálmán shows, the composer can do no wrong! Lavished with his predictable Viennese and Hungarian musical palettes, but with a strong hint of the American West, Arizona Lady rides again!

Conducted by Wilson Southerland

Directed by Jacob Allen

ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD

1858

Original French Libretto by Hector Crémieux and Ludovic Halévy

English Translation by Richard Traubner

Music by Jacques Offenbach

This is the work that started it all! When Parisian licensing agents, in 1858, lifted the fourcharacter, one-act restrictions on “light stage works,” Jacques Offenbach and his librettists dusted off a larger-scale— and thus prohibited—work that had been started some time before. Unlike the zany plotlines of the composer’s 30 previous one-act works, it boldly tackled, with full irreverence, one of the most beloved legends of Greek mythology. Its unprecedented run at the Bouffes-Parisiens sparked the development of both the Viennese and British schools of operetta. Differing significantly from the legend, Orpheus and wife Eurydice can’t stand each other. He has his eye on the nymph Chloë, while she has fallen for the shepherd Aristaeus (really Pluto, King of the Underworld). Jupiter intervenes—in the guise of a fly—as the story unfolds in true Offenbachian fashion. The musical score, described by one historian as “the most dazzling display of light, comic theater music in the history of the genre,” is capped off by the “galop infernale”—known to us as the “can-can.”

Conducted by Michael Borowitz

Directed by Steven A. Daigle

THE 2023 SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON

Greetings from Wooster, Ohio!

Preparations are well underway for the 44th summer festival of the Ohio Light Opera. There is a palpable excitement in anticipation of the company’s return for another wonderful season of lyric theater, with a mix of repertoire unlike that of any performance company worldwide.

Where else can you experience six engaging, and sometimes rare, show titles in the span of a few days? Our productions offer seasoned vocalists, unique visual designs, a full pit orchestra, and a state-of-the-art theater. Our ticket price offers patrons an unmatched entertainment value.

The enthusiasm thus far for this year’s festival (Camelot, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, No, No, Nanette, H.M.S. Pinafore, Arizona Lady, and Orpheus in the Underworld) has been overwhelming. This summer we add three new shows to our repertoire, bringing the total count to an impressive 154 titles.

Please take a moment to read OLO’s mission statement found in this brochure. It defines a history and volume of exceptional artistic creativity and preservation—achievements enriched by the contributions of the College of Wooster, the Wooster community, and, most importantly, the loyalty of our patrons and generosity of our donors. It is because of you that our future looks bright … thank you!

Whether your taste in lyric theater is for operetta or musical theater—or maybe both— the quality productions and community engagement found in Freedlander Theatre and the Wooster community will bring you back year after year. If you are considering attending for the first time, please know that we are excited to have you join us. If you are an OLO veteran, we welcome you back.

Warm regards,

Artistic Director Executive Director

e-mail: sdaigle@wooster.edu e-mail: lneill@wooster.edu

Some of the finest young instrumentalists in the country perform in The Ohio Light Opera Orchestra. In addition to accompanying all productions, they will again be featured in a special holiday event. The Company announces the 21st annual Pops Concert, to be performed on the evening of July 4th. This is a free concert on the public square in Downtown Wooster and has become a very well-attended annual event.

Production photography in this brochure by Matt Dilyard

Laura Neill Executive Director

Steven A. Daigle Artistic Director

Michael Borowitz Music Director

Wilson Southerland Associate Music Director

Jacob Allen Assistant Artistic Director

America’s Premier Lyric Theater Festival

OUR MISSION

Vision

As a resident professional company of The College of Wooster, the Ohio Light Opera seeks to preserve the tradition of operetta and musical theater with engaging and accessible productions that uplift, educate, and entertain a diverse present-day audience.

Mission

For 43 seasons, The Ohio Light Opera (OLO) has dedicated itself to exploring and producing the best of traditional operetta and musical theater. Although the repertoire has evolved over the past four decades, “Light Opera” in our title reflects the rich tradition of OLO’s origin. The company was founded by James Stuart as a Gilbert and Sullivan repertory summer festival and has grown to encompass all forms in the light opera canon. This includes the complete Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire and both the recognized treasures of Viennese, French, German, British, and American operetta and the rare gems of artistic value that were popular in their day but have long since been forsaken. In recent years, the company has expanded its offerings to include traditional musical theater—its forgotten musical gems and popular Broadway titles that are nevertheless being produced less often today.

The historical performance practices of each work are delicately balanced with the resources of a state-of-the-art theater, audience accessibility, and engaging performance values. A revolving repertoire season with at least six titles and over 50 performances allows patrons, throughout the summer, to attend performances of a specialized grouping of titles: three operettas or three musicals in two days, or all the titles of a summer season in four days. No other company offering a similar repertoire can provide this unique performance opportunity.

Between 15 and 20 thousand patrons each season see productions in The College of

Wooster’s intimate Freedlander Theatre. Over 100 company members from throughout the United States are selected each year to participate in our residency program. The 30 performing artists who make up the vocal ensemble are chosen for their abilities to perform and work at the highest level in all disciplines demanded by the company’s specialized repertoire: singing, acting, and dancing. The 30 members of OLO’s orchestra perform full and original orchestrations of each season’s historical titles.

The Ohio Light Opera has built and earned a reputation for producing historical titles in the spirit of fidelity and faithfulness to the original material. This commitment over 40-plus years has brought over 750,000 patrons to our festival seasons. OLO balances past artistic practices with the sensitivities expected from today’s society. Whereas the music and orchestrations remain sacred, modifications to lyrics and dialogue and elimination of blatant stereotypes are at times undertaken to mitigate prejudices prevalent at the time of a work’s creation. To completely ignore these prejudices would be the same as not acknowledging or recognizing that they existed.

With 151 titles produced, and over 2750 performances, the Ohio Light Opera has become the forerunner in promoting the lyric theater genre. The company’s contribution to the preservation and promotion of traditional lyric theater has received recognition in prominent national and international publications, and its work is frequently cited by leading scholars of operetta, light opera, and musical theater. In residency on The College of Wooster campus, the summer festival offers a country setting with an inviting community that is proud of the unique service that this company has given to its many patrons and the art form.

—Steven A. Daigle, Artistic Director

Cinderella

2022 season photos by Matt Dilyard

The Student Prince

Cinderella

The Pirates of Penzance

The Mock Marriage

Hello, Dolly!

The Fantasticks

The Pirates of Penzance

The Student Prince

The Pirates of Penzance

Cinderella

The Student Prince Hello, Dolly!

The Fantasticks

Hello, Dolly!

The Mock Marriage

The 2023 Cast Will Include:

Jacob Allen Madison Barrett Julia Fedor

Vince Gover Lily Graham

Edward Marvin Holt

Meg Johnson Kolby Kendrick Maggie Langhorne

Sara Lucille Law

Owen Malone

Sophia Masterson

Spiro Matsos James Mitchell Matthew Mueller

Jack Murphy

Nicholas Orth Michelle Pedersen

Charles Austin Piper Bergen Price

Christine Price

Davian Raggio

Spencer Reese

Matthew Reynolds

Colin Ring Benjamin Rorabaugh

Nathan Seldin

Alexander Spence Sadie Spivey Ilanna Starr

Elizabeth Stassen Louisa Waycott

• Hilton CleanStay with Lysol Protection

• Hilton CleanStay with Lysol Protection

• Hilton CleanStay with Lysol Protection

• Updated guestrooms feature refrigerators, microwaves & coffee makers

• Updated guestrooms feature refrigerators, microwaves & coffee makers

• Updated guestrooms feature refrigerators, microwaves & coffee makers

• USB ports & power charging outlets throughout the rooms

• USB ports & power charging outlets throughout the rooms

• USB ports & power charging outlets throughout the rooms

• Free On the House Hot Breakfast

• Free On the House Hot Breakfast

• Free On the House Hot Breakfast

• Heated Indoor Pool & Fitness Center

• Heated Indoor Pool & Fitness Center

• Heated Indoor Pool & Fitness Center

• Within Walking distance to restaurants and shopping

• Within Walking distance to restaurants and shopping

• 100% Hampton Guarantee

• Within Walking distance to restaurants and shopping

• 100% Hampton Guarantee

• 100% Hampton Guarantee

Hampton Inn

Hampton Inn

Hampton Inn

4253 Burbank Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691 330-345-4424

4253 Burbank Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691 330-345-4424

4253 Burbank Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691 330-345-4424

www.wooster.hamptoninn.com

www.wooster.hamptoninn.com

www.wooster.hamptoninn.com

Proud supporters of The Ohio Light Opera

STAY FOR THE DAY THEATER

AND DINING PACKAGES*

Combine great dining with superb Ohio Light Opera performances —convenient, fun and an unbeatable value.

*Call the Box Office at The Ohio Light Opera, 330-263-2345, to purchase your package. Theater tickets and restaurant gift card will be sent to you upon confirmation of purchase.

BROKEN ROCKS CAFÉ & BAKERY

123 E. Liberty, Wooster

330-263-2949

brokenrockscafe.com

Casual dining with an upscale appeal

THE CITY SQUARE

STEAKHOUSE

148 S. Market St., Wooster

330-262-2489

citysquaresteakhouse.com

A truly exceptional dining experience in a traditional Chicago-style steakhouse

TJ’S RESTAURANT

359 W. Liberty, Wooster

330-264-6263

tjsrestaurants.com

Fresh seafood, steaks, great salads, gourmet burgers, and a selection of vegan options

OLDE JAOL

STEAKHOUSE AND TAVERN

215 N. Walnut St., Wooster

330-262-3333

oldejaolrestaurant.com

Steak, Seafood, Pasta, Chicken, Lamb

Dining and Opera Package—$135 (a $158 value)

u Ohio Light Opera matinee or evening performance for 2

u $118 Ticket Value for only $100

u $40 Gift Card Value for only $35

Dining and Opera Package—$165 (a $193 value)

u Ohio Light Opera matinee or evening performance for 2

u $118 Ticket Value for only $100

u $75 Gift Card Value for only $65

u Valid anytime

Dining and Opera Package—$125 (a $148 value)

u Ohio Light Opera matinee or evening performance for 2

u $118 Ticket Value for only $100

u $30 Gift Card Value for only $25

Dining and Opera Package—$150 (a $178 value)

u Ohio Light Opera matinee or evening performance for 2

u $118 Ticket Value for only $100

u $60 Gift Card for only $50

u Valid anytime; good for 1 year from purchase

131 S. Market Street Wooster, Ohio 44691

(330) 264-6117

Distinctive Gifts & Clothing

THE COLLEGE OF WOOSTER

A proud history with an international reputation for excellence

The College of Wooster is the nation’s premier college for mentored undergraduate research and the most internationalized campus in Ohio.

Since 2002, U.S. News has asked college presidents, chief academic officers, and deans which colleges provide the best undergraduate research opportunities and senior capstone experiences. Only two have made both lists every year: Wooster and Princeton.

Wooster offers an excellent, comprehensive liberal arts education in a spirited residential setting, culminating in every student creating new knowledge through a rigorous, in-depth project of inquiry or creative expression. Working in partnership with a faculty mentor to conceive, organize, and complete a significant project on a topic of the student’s own choosing, every Wooster graduate develops abilities valued by employers and graduate schools alike: initiative, collaboration, self-confidence, independent judgment, creative problem solving, and strong written and oral communication skills.

Wooster is a vibrant, diverse, unpretentious community of learners with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students can be

themselves at Wooster, discover and pursue their passions, connect learning in the classroom to the real world through paid internships, research fellowships, and other experiential opportunities, and forge lifelong bonds with faculty, coaches, and staff.

New York Times columnist Ron Lieber praises Wooster for its exceptional combination of quality faculty, affordability, and undergraduate research in his new book, The Price You Pay for College. Lieber devotes an entire chapter to answering How the College of Wooster Puts It All Together, highlighting Wooster’s up-front attitude in helping prospective students understand the financial package they will receive and the satisfaction students get from faculty mentorship. Academics, research, experiential learning, community service, social activism, athletics, the arts, environmental sustainability, and diversity and inclusion all play an important role in a Wooster student’s life.

TICKET INFORMATION & PRICES

Season Subscriptions: Subscribe for the Season! Choose four, five, or six performances at a discount from individual ticket prices.

Individual Ticket Pricing

Single Tickets $59

Students (ages: 16-23) .................................... $20

Children (ages: 3-15) $10

Subscription Rates (Price Per Ticket)

4 Different Performances $57

5 Different Performances $56

6 Different Performances $54

Ordering Tickets: The Ohio Light Opera accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover Card. You may call 330.263.2345, order tickets online at ohiolightopera.org, or mail your order to the box office at:

The Ohio Light Opera

The College of Wooster

1189 Beall Avenue

Wooster, OH 44691

If you have requested your tickets to be mailed, you will receive them at least one month prior to the performance. NO REFUNDS. NO CANCELLATIONS

Box Office Location & Hours:

(Please note the locations of our winter & summer offices)

January 11-May 14, 2023:

The Ohio Light Opera

The College of Wooster

Westminster Church House

353 East Pine Street

(Corner of College Ave and E. Pine St.) Wooster, OH 44691

May 15-July 30, 2023:

Freedlander Theatre

329 East University Street Wooster, OH 44691

Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday (beginning June 17) 12 noon-4:30 p.m. Sunday (beginning July 9) .............. 12:30-4 p.m.

24-Hour Order Online: Visit our secure website, ohiolightopera.org, to view available seats, order, and pay for your tickets.

Group Discounts: Last year, more than 2,000 people saw Ohio Light Opera performances with our group discount plan.

20-46 people $56 per ticket

47-100 people $54 per ticket

Put together a group of people and come to Wooster for an afternoon or evening of operetta—a joy for all at wonderful savings! Call the Box Office at 330.263.2345 or 330.263.2329 to order tickets for your group. Our group sales coordinator will be glad to assist you with your plans.

Ticket Exchanges: You have the privilege of exchanging tickets, subject to availability, within the 2023 season.

Tickets being exchanged must be RECEIVED in the ticket office no later than 48 hours prior to the performance date on the original tickets. Exchanges may be made in person or by mail. There is a $3.00 PER TICKET charge for exchanges. No other exchanges are possible.

Unused Tickets: Ticket holders unable to use or exchange their tickets may notify the ticket office so that those tickets can be resold. These “turnbacks” make seats available to other music lovers and can provide additional income to OLO.

Lost Tickets: If you lose your original tickets, duplicates can be made for you.

Parking Information: Parking is FREE in all College of Wooster signed lots. Spaces fill up quickly so please plan to arrive early. Visit the website for more information on parking at Freedlander Theatre, as well as directions to the theatre and any known road construction.

Air Conditioning: Freedlander Theatre is air conditioned. Some Ohio Light Opera patrons might like to bring a sweater or jacket to wear during the performance.

Decorum Reminder: Freedlander Theatre is an intimate space. Please keep in mind that talking during the overture and/or throughout the performance is distracting to fellow audience members as well as to the performing company. Also, please refrain from opening noisy candy or gum wrappers during the show. Please turn off all noise-emitting devices before entering the theater. Photography and recordings of any kind are prohibited.

Late Seating: All performances begin promptly at 2 p.m. for matinees and 7:30 p.m. for evening shows. In deference to the comfort and listening pleasure of the audience in the house, latearriving patrons will not be seated while the performance is in progress. Latecomers are asked to wait quietly until the first convenient break in the program, when ushers will assist you into the theatre. These arrangements are at the discretion of the house manager in consultation with the artistic director and performing artists. Thank you for your cooperation.

Pre-Performance Talks Friday and Saturday Evenings at 6:30 p.m.: Enhance your enjoyment of the evening’s performance by learning lesserknown facts about the show’s history and tips to recognize the unique special pleasures of each show. We feature lecturers seasoned in the experience and study of operetta. No reservations are necessary. Lectures begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and are held in the Lean Lecture Room, down the hall from Freedlander Theatre lobby. Check for signs in the lobby for the location of these informative and free gatherings!

OHIO LIGHT OPERA 2023 PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

★ Indicates an Opening Performance

* Indicates a Pre-Performance Lecture at 6:30 p.m. prior to Friday &

performances. Informative & Free!

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING EVENTS

The Ohio Light Opera will be providing its patrons and company members with four days of special events during the 2023 festival season. From July 19th to July 22nd, OLO will be featuring lectures and video presentations— all celebrating our 44th season and unique mission. In the true spirit of a festival, these extra events make a wonderful addition to a week during which patrons can experience all six shows. These free special events are held in Lean Lecture Room, in Wishart Hall adjacent to Freedlander Theatre.

JULY 20-22 (1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.): LECTURES

OLO’s traditional slate of Friday and Saturday evening pre-performance lectures will be expanded—during

this three-day period—to include talks on all six 2023 productions. Company members will provide both historical insights and their own experiences in bringing these show gems to life on stage.

JULY 19 (7:30 p.m.): OPERETTA MANIA XIV

See your favorite operetta and musical theater stars in rare film clips from around the world. Free popcorn and twizzlers!

JULY 20 (9:15 a.m.): SPECIAL FILM PRESENTATION

Without giving away too much, this full-length feature film relates to one of the six shows in OLO’s 2023 repertoire.

OHIO LIGHT OPERA TICKET ORDER FORM

Name

Address City State Zip

Phone with answering service

E-mail

❑ My check # in the amount of $ is enclosed and made payable to The Ohio Light Opera.

Please charge my

❑ VISA ❑ MasterCard ❑ Discover

Card No.

Exp. Date 3-digit code

Signature

❑ Please check this box ONLY IF you wish to have your tickets held at the Box Office.

❑ Please send me information about The College of Wooster.

❑ Please send me The Ohio Light Opera Gift Shop price list.

❑ My employer, , has matching funds available for my contribution.

❑ Send a brochure to:

Please list alternate dates, when possible, to allow for sold-out performances.

Single Tickets: $59

Students $20 (ages 16-23)

Children $10 (ages 3-15)

Subscription pricing can be found on page 21.

Please call 330.263.2345 for more information.

Please include my tax-deductible contribution in the amount of

TOTAL ENCLOSED

Mail to: The Ohio Light Opera The College of Wooster 1189 Beall Avenue, Wooster, Ohio 44691 Phone: 330.263.2345

Individual & Subscription priced tickets available online at ohiolightopera.org

OLO 2023 FESTIVAL SPECIAL EVENTS

July 4 – Independence Day Pops Concert 7-8 p.m. The concert features the full OLO orchestra and cast of singers, and is presented on the square in downtown Wooster. Join us for the 21st annual concert, which is free, open to the community, and presented in partnership with Main Street Wooster. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy!

July 5 – Kids Day 1-2 p.m.

Meet in Lean Lecture Room (adjacent to Freedlander Theatre, downstairs) for H.M.S. Pinafore day! You can create a craft, enjoy a small treat, and get a backstage tour prior to the performance of H.M.S. Pinafore. Don’t miss out!