ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University’s Opera Theatre will present Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, through Saturday, Nov. 21, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, in Jones Performing Arts Center at OBU.

“The performances of any opera, not only those of the OBU Opera Theatre, are an enriching experience,” said Jon Secrest, chair of OBU’s department of applied music and the co-director and conductor of Gianni Schicchi. “Since this is a comedy, audience members are guaranteed an evening of laughter and light-hearted fun.”

Gianni Schicchi is a one-act comedic opera to be sung in Italian with English subtitles. The story of love, deceit and family bickering will be approximately one hour in length.

The opera will be fully produced with sets, lighting, costumes and orchestral accompaniment, including students from the Ouachita instrumental program and string players from the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, including Maestro Marc-Andre Bougie, conductor and Ouachita alumnus R. Andrew Clark, orchestra manager.

In addition to Secrest, Glenda Secrest, OBU associate professor of music, serves as co-director and stage director.

“I really enjoy seeing how the students grow from day to day in their musical and character development,” she said. “The transformation that occurs from the first day of rehearsal to opening night is incredible. I am so proud of this cast and their commitment to the development of their art.”

Joey Licklider, manager of Jones Performing Arts Center, serves as technical designer and director.

The cast includes Andrew Miller as Gianni Schicchi; Elisabeth Hipp and Grace Johnson double-cast as Lauretta (each singer will perform two shows); Hannah Chapman as Zita detta La Vecchia; Xavier Lagunas as Rinuccio; Preston Pickett as Gherardo; and Katie Edenfield and Alyssa Reynolds double-cast as Nella.

Other cast members include Sean Wilson as Betto di Signa; John Tneoh as Simone; Greg Caplan as Marco; Rachel Harris as La Ciesca; Christopher Straw as Maestro Spinelloccio; Kyle Huey as Ser Amantio di Nicolao; Jody Lee as Pinellino; and Stewart Kelly as Guccio. Gherardina will be played by Mattie Dodson, daughter of OBU assistant professor of Biblical studies Joey Dodson.

Tickets for the general public are $8 and may be purchased by calling the Jones Performing Center box office at (870) 245-5563 or by visiting www.obu.edu/finearts. OBU students may obtain one complimentary ticket for the performance of their choice by presenting a current student ID at the OBU box office from 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Secrest at (870) 245-5134 or secrestj@obu.edu.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 58 on 11/05/2009