Children's Operas to Be Staged at the Waco Civic Theater
by Richard Veit
In an effort to expose the Waco community's young people to the world of opera, the Baylor University School of Music will present a pair of one-act "children's operas" in mid-July at the Waco Civic Theater. The Baylor Opera Theatre is under the supervision of Richard Aslanian, lecturer in music and director of opera. Evening curtain times are at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 11-13. There will be 2 p.m. matinées on Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14.
The double-bills will open with Seymour Barab's setting of the familiar "Little Red Riding Hood," described as "a children's opera that adults will also enjoy." The title role will be sung by Beth Gooley, with Shelley Christian cast as the Mother/Grandmother. Jon Truitt will play the Wolf/Huntsman on Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon, with Michael Bohan assuming the roles on Friday and Saturday evenings and on Sunday afternoon.
The second piece on the program will be Dominick Argento's "The Boor," based on the play of that name by Anton Chekov. "The Boor" is described as "an adult opera that children will also enjoy." Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon performances will feature Brad Schliesser in the title role and Jennifer Jacobs as The Widow. On Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as Sunday afternoon, those respective roles will be sung by Jon Truitt and Emily McSpadden. The part of The Servant will be taken by Paul Saik in all five performances.
This production is being staged by Deborah Mogford, lecturer in theater arts at Baylor, with the musical direction by Richard Aslanian. The Waco Civic Theater is located adjacent to the Heart Of Texas Coliseum at 1517 Lake Air Drive.
Ticket prices for "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Boor" are $2 for children and $8 for adults. For more information, call the Waco Civic Theater at 776-1591.