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- October 23, 2006
ISU Theatre, Department of Music collaborate on a "Marriage"
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The 250th birthday of Mozart will be celebrated when Iowa State University's
Department of Music and ISU Theatre combine to produce one of the composer's
most beloved works.
"The Marriage of Figaro" will be presented for four days beginning
Thursday, Nov. 2, in Fisher Theater. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday,
Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 5.
First performed in 1786, Mozart's opera was banned due to its mockery
of the upper class. When the valet Figaro learns from his fiancé Susanna
that their employer Count Almaviva has been flirting with her, they concoct
a plan to trap him in his desires. The plot thickens with more secret
desires, another proposal for Figaro, and of course, the wedding ceremony.
"At points ‘Figaro' is a farce," says Brad Dell, ISU Theatre
faculty member and the play's director. "There are disguises and
mistaken identities throughout. It's great fun for the audience although
there are some very serious moments as well.
"Ultimately it's the servants who dupe the upper class in a plot
that's just plain silly."
Dell says "The Marriage of Figaro," while challenging for the
students, is a perfect vehicle for a college production.
"The characters are very accessible to the students," he said.
"The roles are challenging but are more age appropriate than other
operas are."
A first-time opera director, Dell says the main challenge of any opera
is the sung dialogue.
"Unlike a Broadway musical where the music supports the story, here
the music is the most important aspect of the show. The story supports
the music," he said.
"Many of our student actors haven't appeared in an opera before and
it's been challenging for them to learn how to sing the dialogue. But
they've been up to that challenge and they're succeeding magnificently."
Dell says this production of "The Marriage of Figaro" has been
a fun, collaborative process, not only with the students but also with
his production team. Department of Music faculty members Gordon Garrard,
Mary Creswell and James Hannon are the musical directors and orchestral
conductor.
"It's cool to work with musicians for whom telling the story is as
important as the music," Dell said.
He added that the audience will be amazed at the costumes, sets and lighting
for this production. ISU Theatre faculty members Robert Sunderman (sets),
Gregory Duckett (costumes) and Jim Trenberth (lighting) are the designers.
"It's a visual and musical cornucopia," Dells says.
Micah Morgan plays Figaro, while Stacey Goodman is Susanna. Ayron Hyatt
and Kelly Kruse portray Count Almaviva and Countess Almaviva. Other major
roles are played by Chris Ebke, Antonio; Laura Rudolph, Barbarina; Tom
Wilson, Bartolo; Ted Brimeyer, Basilio; Melissa Hanson, Cherubino; Tyler
Brown, Don Curzio; and Samantha McCurry, Marcellina.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students and are
available at all TicketMaster locations and the Iowa State Center Box
Office.
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