Shorter College Opera Theatre to present “The Merry Widow” Jan. 22 and 23                          

January 14, 2010 - The Shorter College Opera Theatre Department will present The Merry Widow Jan. 22 and 23 at the Rome City Auditorium.

Directed by Dr. Linda Lister, associate professor of music, opera director and vocal coordinator at Shorter, the show is a story filled with romantic intrigue and set in the Parisian Embassy. This well-loved Viennese operetta by Franz Lehar features the famous Vilja Lied, along with lilting waltzes and dancing grisettes.

Rehearsal began in November, according to Dr. Lister. “The Merry Widow was selected for Shorter Opera Theatre’s winter production since it is one of the most popular operettas in the repertory,” Dr. Lister explained.  “The operetta style suits the vocal talent of Shorter’s young talented singers, and since operetta also involves spoken dialogue it gives them a chance to develop their acting skills for both song and speech.”   

The Merry Widow also features waltzes and a can-can so it also helps cultivate students’ dance dexterity, Dr. Lister said.  “The audience should enjoy Lehar’s tuneful melodies as well as the farcical plot of a good operetta: lots of comedy and confusion which eventually resolve in a happy ending. ”

Cast members include: Hannah Freeman, Laura Collins, Trey Smagur, Charlie Nelson, John Carucci, Emily Tweedy, Laura Lee Gill, Ryan O’Leary, Cody Bowers, Jahi Mims, Anthony Chu, Evan Meisser, E.J. Laird, Patrick McCormick, Justin Maxey, Jenica Reed, Michelle Kelly, Blake Hicks, Emily Mossburg, Mary Blanks, Jasmine Habersham, Mary Diesch, Tareva Moore, Sarah Dunham and Anne Marie Kelly.

The performance begins at 7:30 nightly. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for senior adults and students. To order tickets, call the Shorter College Box Office at 706-233-7288.

Founded in 1873, Shorter College is a Christian college committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges. The college offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas as well as undergraduate degree programs for working adults, the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Arts in Leadership. Online courses are also available. Shorter will transition to university status June 1, 2010. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

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