KU Theatre to present Puccini's opera 'La Boheme'
LAWRENCE — "La Boheme," composed by Giacomo Puccini with a libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, will be staged in a joint production between the University of Kansas’ University Theatre and the School of Music, and features the KU Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of David Neely. Performances will be 7:30 p.m. April 19, 25 and 27 and at 2:30 p.m. April 21 in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.
Every other year, the theatre department and the School of Music partner to produce an opera. "La Boheme," directed by guest director Linda Ade Brand, will be performed in the original Italian, and subtitles will projected onto the stage. Audience members will also be given a synopsis in their program.
Set in Paris in the 1890s, "La Boheme" tells the tale of a group of starving artists who are passionate about their work and each other. Trying to stay warm as they work, Rodolfo and Marcello, a poet and painter respectively, are interrupted by Benoit, the landlord who has come to collect rent. They trick him into leaving and Marcello, who is joined by their other friends, Schaunard, and Colline, leaves for the evening to celebrate Christmas Eve. Rodolfo stays behind to finish some writing. There is a knock on the door — it is a neighbor, Mimi, whose candle has gone out. As he prepares to go out for the evening, Mimi invites herself along, and they begin to fall in love. As the year progresses, the group of friends fall in and out of love with each other, working on their art and struggling to survive.
Reserved seat tickets for "La Boheme" are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982, and Lied Center, 864-ARTS, and online at kutheatre.com. Tickets are $20 for the public, $19 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff, and $10 for all students. All major credit cards are accepted.
Members of the cast of La Boheme are listed below by county. Information includes the student’s name, class, major, parents’ names, school, and role.
FROM BROWN COUNTY
From Hiawatha
Emily Charles, master’s student, voice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles, Hiawatha High School, chorus
FROM BUTLER COUNTY
From Augusta
Josh Mackley, doctoral student, voice, son of Galen and Paula Mackley, Camdenton High School, Marcello
From Douglas
Ashleigh Sizemore, freshman, voice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sizemore, Douglas High School, chorus
FROM DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Rosaleen Amante, junior, music education, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Des Amante, Garden City High School, chorus
Joseph Carr, senior, theatre and voice, son of Timothy and Margaret Carr, Lawrence High School, chorus
Hannah Au Yeong, Hillcrest Elementary School, Urchin
Savanah Amnotte, daughter of Sherry Amnotte
Michael Austin, master’s student, opera, son of Michael P. Austin and Natalie Wheeler, Lawrence High School, Schaunard
Sarah Bodle, senior, voice, daughter of Cheryl Wagner, Lawrence High School, chorus
Helen Gent, junior, voice, daughter of Bob Gent and Ginny Love, Lawrence High School, chorus
Nicole Burkhart, sophomore, voice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Burkhart, Lawrence High School, Mother/Millie Maid
Benjamin Cleveland, doctoral student, voice, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Cleveland, Rudolpho
Katelyn Meyer, sophomore, voice, daughter of Janney Meyer, Lawrence High School, Seamstress
Bokhee Min, master’s student, voice, chorus
Suzy Chun, daughter of Peter and Soyoun Chun, West Middle School, chorus
Katherine Dick, junior, voice, daughter of Keith and Jeannette Dick, Free State High School, Adult Coro
Julia Geisler, master’s student, opera, chorus
Maggie Hires, senior, voice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hires, Vista Ridge High School, chorus
Julia Rose Johnson, daughter of Troy and Cynthia Johnson, Deerfield Elementary,
Caitlin Laird, freshman, voice, daughter of Paul and Joy Laird, Free State High School, chorus
Allison Lewis, senior, voice, daughter of Colleen Lewis, Free State High School, chorus
FROM ELLIS COUNTY
From Hays
Catherine Dowling, Master’s student, voice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dowling, Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, Musetta
FROM JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe
Elaina Smith, junior, theatre and voice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Smith, Olathe North High School, chorus
From Leawood
John Meyer, sophomore, voice, son of Mary McCarthy, Shawnee Mission East High High School, Benoit, Alcindoro, Sergente
From Overland Park
Juan Gonzalez, freshman, voice, son of Carlos and Luz Gonzales, Blue Valley North High School, chorus
From Shawnee
Cassie Banion, master’s student, voice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Freyermuth, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Musetta
FROM LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
Joe Winas, master’s student, opera, Leavenworth High School, Doganiere
FROM RUSSELL COUNTY
From Gorham
Blane Brungardt, freshman, theatre and voice, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Brungardt, Victoria High School, chorus
Out-of-state cast:
FROM IOWA
Jake Thede, sophomore, voice, son of Dale and Kim Thede, Urbandale High School, chorus
FROM ILLINOIS
Kristen Larsen, freshman, theatre and voice, daughter of Mark and Diana Larsen, Christian Life High School, chorus
Brad Walker, master’s student, opera, son of David and Joanne Walker, Lake Zurich High School, Colline
FROM MISSOURI
James R. Davidson, doctoral student, conducting, son of Bill and Pixie Davidson, Mehluille Senior High School, assistant conductor/chorus master
Elizabeth Ernst, sophomore, music therapy, daughter of Lee and Lisa Ernst, Pembroke Hill High School, chorus
FROM OKLAHOMA
Ashley Benes, master’s student, opera, daughter of Mark and Mary Benes, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Mimi
FROM WISCONSIN
Kristin Newbegin, master’s student, opera, daughter of Mark Olson, DeForest High School, Mimi.