Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students Jennifer Brauer, Kyrstan Langer, Kaitlyn Ritcheson and Courtney Groennert will have a battle of the vocal-chords kind in the upcoming play, “Too Many Sopranos.”
SIUE’s Music Department will present the opera by composer Edwin Penhorwood at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 in Dunham Hall Theater. The opera is directed by Dr. Marc Schapman, assistant professor of voice and graduate director of music in the SIUE Music Department.
Insights about the play can be heard from the composer himself, who is a personal friend of Schapman’s. Penhorwood will hold a pre-show lecture about “Too Many Sopranos” at 6:30 p.m. March 22 and 23 in the lobby of Dunhall Hall.
“It’s the first time we’ve done this show, and I think the audiences will love it,” Schapman said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. All of the stereotypical things about an opera are in this show, and we’re poking fun at it.”
In the play, four diva sopranos die and are met at heaven’s gate by Saint Peter, the Apostle, played by Zach Snyder, a junior majoring in music education. The sopranos are told that there is only one spot left for a soprano in the heavenly choir, and they must audition for the part. Then the play moves through the individual tryouts of Brauer and Langer, both graduate students in vocal performance; Ritcheson, a junior in music performance; and Groennert, a junior in music business.
Other students and their roles in the show include: Sarah Paitz, a freshman music minor, Sandman; Tyler Green, a freshman in music performance, unnamed bass; Randy Trisler, a junior in music education, Enrico Carouser; Rachel Cange, a senior in music performance, Gabriel; Ben Rardin, a junior in music performance, Nelson Deadly; and Chris Kernan, a junior in theater and dance, Orson.
The operatic orchestra will consist of 20 players from the University, Edwardsville High School and the Edwardsville community, Schapman said.
Also helping with the production, development and publicity of the play are Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Program (URCA) students, Kourtnee Brenner, a junior in theater and dance; and Natasha Kessler, a junior in music.
The SIUE Music Department’s spring 2013 season will continue with the following performances:
• March 1: Orchestra Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Dunham Hall Theater
• March 26: Jazz Band Concert, 8 p.m. in Dunham Hall Theater
General admission is $12 unless stated otherwise. The cost is $9 for seniors and persons under the age of 18. SIUE students with a valid ID card will receive one complimentary ticket per performance, compliments of the SIUE Campus Activities Board.
Dates and times are subject to change. For more information, please call the SIUE Music Department at (618) 650-3900 or for ticket information call (618) 650-2774.
Cutline Information:
- Rachel Cange, who plays the Angel Gabriel, sings her part in the opera “Too Many Sopranos.” Other cast members behind her include from left to right: Chris Kernan (Orson), Kyrstan Langer (Madame Pompous), Tyler Green (Unnamed Bass), Jennifer Brauer (Dame Doleful) and Zachary Snyder (Saint Peter).
- Sarah Paitz plays the part of the Sandman in the opera, while Courtney Groennert (Just Jeannette) looks on.
- Belting out a number is the soprano Madame Pompous, played by Kyrstan Langer. Also pictured is Randy Trisler, who plays Enrico Carouser.
- Soprano Dame Doleful, played by Jennifer Brauer, sings her line with Kaitlyn Ritcheson (Miss Titmouse) in the background.