Ohio Light Opera Gearing Up for 2011 Summer Festival

33rd season features three new productions as well as Lerner and Lowe’s “Camelot”

WOOSTER, Ohio — Ohio Light Opera’s 2011 summer festival is still eight months away, but preparation for the 33^rd season has already begun with auditions slated for New York City, Chicago, Boston, Rochester, Kansas City, and Salt Lake City next month, as well as a full weekend of auditions at The College of Wooster Dec. 3-4.

Highlighting the production schedule for next summer is Lerner and Lowe’s “Camelot” as well as the Ohio Light Opera debut of three shows: Cole Porter’s “Jubilee,” Victor Herbert’s “The Fortune Teller,” and Leo Fall’s “Madame Pompadour.” Other productions include popular favorites “The Pirates of Penzance” (Gilbert & Sullivan) and “The Merry Widow” (Franz Lehár). In addition, there will be a triple bill featuring Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Trial by Jury,” Burnand & Sullivan’s “Cox and Box,” and Jacques Offenbach’s “Evening Wind” — three shows for the price of one.

"Ohio Light Opera is looking forward to presenting its 33rd annual festival season with several new shows and the return of some favorites,” said Executive Director Laura Neill. “Performing in Freedlander Theatre on the beautiful College of Wooster campus, the company continues its tradition of offering young professionals the opportunity to perform and learn in a thriving educational and energetic environment.

“The on-stage cast is chosen through national auditions with the idea that each person can contribute in myriad ways to the high artistic merit for which OLO is well-known,” added Neill. “The orchestra consists of the finest students and professionals from across the country and the technical staff is made up of enthusiastic leaders in their profession, as well as eager students new to the complexity of technical production.”

Established by James Stuart in 1979, Ohio Light Opera continues to flourish under Steven Daigle, who is in his 13^th year as artistic director, and Michael Borowitz, who is in his fifth year as music director. The company’s distinctive lyric-style theater tradition, which includes the entire Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire as well as rarely presented Viennese, Hungarian, German, and American continental works, sets it apart from any other in the world.

Approximately 20,000 patrons from across the country and around the world come to Wooster for Ohio Light Opera performances each summer. “OLO continues to be a destination of choice for many,” said Neill. “This is a true boost to Wooster and Wayne County's local economy, and for that we are very pleased."

Individual tickets, which go on sale Jan. 14, are $46 for all evening (7:30 p.m.) and matinee (2 p.m.) performances. Tickets for students (ages 16-23) are $20, and admission for children (ages 3-15) is $10. Group discount rates and special packages are also available. VISA, MasterCard, and Discover Card are accepted. The box office is located in Westminster Church House (353 E. Pine St.) during the off-season, and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Additional information about Ohio Light Opera is available by phone (330-263-2345) or online.