The UL Lafayette Opera Theater will present the 2 act comic opera Too Many Sopranos by Edwin Penhorwood. The contemporary opera was written in 2000 and explores the world of opera. It looks lovingly and humorously at the "typical" opera singer stereotype of every voice.
The plot revolves around four divas who arrive at the pearly gates where they meet St. Peter (Jonah Slason) and the angel Gabriel (Josh Coen) who inform them that there is only one spot available in the heavenly chorus for a soprano because of a serious lack of tenors and basses who are mostly in hell for doing terrible things. The divas are forced to audition for placement, but they are all of equal talent, so St. Peter cannot decide. The 4 divas are Miss Titmouse (Lana Carver), Madame Pompous (Jessica Wiltz), Just Jeanette (Meghin Taylor) and Dame Doleful (Alex Hollerman). They are they told of a clause that if they go to hell and do a selfless act, they will be allowed to bring back as many tenors and basses they wish, thus granting all four of them entry into the chorus. They agree to this and decend into hell.
In Act 2, we meet the men, Enrico Carouser (Holden Greene), the Unnamed Bass (Jared Price), Nelson Deadly (Jace Fogleman) and Orson (Nicholas Manzo). They all hear their sad stories and are moved by them. Nelson and Jeanette are forced to attempt to listen to Orson, the director, talk without falling asleep, thus fulfilling their promise. They fail, however, but the Sandman (Jenee Luquette) tells them they attempted, therefore they can now go back to heaven with the men. All end happily, promising never to sing opera again!
In Act 2, we meet the men, Enrico Carouser (Holden Greene), the Unnamed Bass (Jared Price), Nelson Deadly (Jace Fogleman) and Orson (Nicholas Manzo). They all hear their sad stories and are moved by them. Nelson and Jeanette are forced to attempt to listen to Orson, the director, talk without falling asleep, thus fulfilling their promise. They fail, however, but the Sandman (Jenee Luquette) tells them they attempted, therefore they can now go back to heaven with the men. All end happily, promising never to sing opera again!
This delightful opera is being directed by Shawn Roy with piano accompaniment by Geraldine Hubbell. The set is being designed by Duncan Thistethwaite, the lighting designer is Ken Harrelson and the production stage manager is Kristy Chiasson-Gondron. The performances will be in the Burke Theater on the UL Lafayette campus and are on November 5 and 6 at 7:30PM and November 7 at 3PM. Tickets are available at the door only and are $10 for general admission and free for UL Lafayette students, faculty and staff. Call 482-6012 for more information.
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