Ohio Light Opera Celebrates 35 Years of Enchantment

Popular operetta company to perform at The College of Wooster again this summer

WOOSTER, Ohio — Ohio Light Opera will celebrate 35 years as one of the world’s most unique and entertaining lyric theatre companies when it opens the 2013 Summer Festival at The College of Wooster’s Freedlander Theatre in June.

Once again, more than 100 artists and musicians will gather in Wooster for 56 performances and several instrumental concerts, including the always popular Fourth of July Pops Concert.

This season’s repertoire blends traditional operetta with more modern musical theatre and features a number of timeless productions, including Richard Rodgers’ classic, “The King and I.” Also new this year are Cole Porter’s gem, “Silk Stockings,” and George Gershwin’s landmark “Lady, Be Good.”

In addition, four longtime favorites — each more than a century old — will be staged: Jacques Offenbach’s “The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein;” Johann Strauss’s “The Gypsy Baron;” and Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” and “The Gondoliers.”

“This historic year follows the tradition of the company, from its origin to where it is today,” said Ohio Light Opera Artistic Director Steven Daigle. “We believe that this year’s festival will be particularly attractive with such composers as Offenbach, who is regarded as one of the early founders of the genre and a great influence on Gilbert and Sullivan; Strauss, a legend of the European operetta tradition and often referred to the king of waltz; and a trio of highly influential American composers (Rodgers, Porter, and Gershwin).”

Established in 1979, Ohio Light Opera has developed a reputation for magnificent productions that encompass the best of lyric theatre, particularly rare shows that were successful in their day and worthy of revival. “We are the only company in North America and perhaps the world to present 19th and 20th century operettas and musicals from such a broad selection of American and European composers,” says Laura Neill, executive director.

Individual tickets are $48 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. Additional information is available by phone (330-263-2345) or online.