The Dramatic Criminals
Midlands Light Opera Society will present a program of two fun, family-friendly, one-act operettas October 23- 26 at First Christian Church.
Night of the Singing Dead: A Truly Terrible Operatic Musical is a comic parody of the classic Night of the Living Dead. When Barbara (Felicia Torres) and Ben (Will Cordova) go to visit their father’s grave, they are attacked by a ghoul. Barbara escapes to a farmhouse where Benita (Nikki Anderson), Harry (Roddey Smith), Helen (Evelyn Clary) and Karen (Lilith Clary) have also found refuge. Tensions rise as they sing about their plight and watch harrowing news reported by reporters (Duna Miller, Bella Strehl, LiAnne Crosby) and the CDC epidemiologist (Julie Lumpkin). Can the Army Guy (Good Richard Remy) save them all? The singing dead are brought to life—er—afterlife—by Genny Cordova, Lina Cordova, Bob Folts, Amy Kyzer, Jazmine Kyzer, Ember Rucker, Lillian Sherr, and Sidney Smith. This show is much more funny than scary and is suitable for all ages. While the lyrics are original, you will hear music from operas by George Bizet, Arthur Sullivan, Giuseppe Verdi, W.A. Mozart, and more.
The Dramatic Criminals is a modern day S.C. reimagining of Jacques Offenbach’s operetta Tromb-al-ca-zar. Lucy (Lauren Sherr), Victor (Rob Richards), and Ginger (Evelyn Clary) are a troop of actors running from a media conglomerate, which recently purchased the rights to their show. They seek shelter in Billybob’s (Roddey Smith) piano bar, and, seeing as this is an opera, there are mistaken identities, secrets, romance, and of course—singing. And because this is set in S.C., there is an appearance by one of our most famous cryptids because—why not?
“This is going to make for a very fun show,” says Clary. “Yes, you will recognize most of the music—if only from hearing it on Looney Tunes—but you’ve never seen opera like this before. The stories are compelling, and there are lots of laughs. There is something for everyone, from the opera aficionado to the musical theater fan to someone who may never have seen a staged production before.”
The production is directed by Roddey Smith, accompanied on piano by Lucinda Shields, and stage managed by Hollie Smith. The book and lyrics are written by Evelyn Clary with some scenes of Night of the Singing Dead written by Mary Ann Clary.
First Christian Church is located at 2062 N. Beltline Boulevard. Please enter through the double doors under the covered walkway. Performances are October 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and October 25 and 26 at 3 p.m.. Tickets are $10 for children, students, and seniors, and $15 for everyone else.
Tickets may be purchased at midlandslightopera.wixsite.com/midlandslightopera or with cash, check, or card at the door. Presenting sponsor is the City of Forest Acres.
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