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Andre Gretry’s Beauty and the Beast enchants the Wieting

Opera Iowa performs at Wieting Theatre on March 10

Opera Iowa returns to the Wieting Theatre on Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. to perform Andre Gretry’s Beauty and the Beast. This enchanting version of the timeless tale features colorful characters, beautiful melodies, and colorfully comical characters that will delight audiences of all ages.

“Our purpose in pursuing this project is threefold: We wish to offer to our community the experience of light opera, to celebrate the beauty of the Wieting Theatre, and to help with the Wieting Theatre’s Phase II [renovation] debt,” announced Mary Fasse-Shaw of the PEO Toledo Chapter DF, which is sponsoring this event.

Andre Gretry creates a twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast fairytale. The characters in this world are obsessed with how they are perceived by the world around them. The Prince is the worst until the Spirit of the Rose curses him to have a beastly body that reflects his soul so all who see him will see him for the beast he truly is. With the help of Belle, the Spirit of the Rose, and a magic mirror, the Beast will try to accept humility into his heart and break the curse.

“Our sisterhood is doing a service by bringing the opera in because most community members may not have an opportunity otherwise to experience this type of musical performance,” said Fasse-Shaw. “I’m thankful to Charlene Kenkel and Kim Nelson for jumping in. I’m thankful for the people who are putting on the reception, and we couldn’t do this without the local businesses’ support.”

Nancy Burk, a PEO DF sister, helped bring Opera Iowa to South Tama County Elementary School alongside the Wieting Theatre in 2003 and every four years since. Burk decided to help bring opera to Tama County because of Dr. Michael Patterson, a professor at Simpson College and a local South Tama County graduate.

Top Row (L to R): Alyssa Barnes (soprano), Logan Dell’Acqua (baritone), and Brandon Hearrekk (technical supervisor). Middle Row (L to R): Nicholas Huff (tenor), Dura Jun (music director), and Sarah Rosales (soprano). Bottom Row (L to R): Ariana Warren (mezzo-soprano) and Micah Zimmerman (technical assistant). Contributed photo.

“I first met Michael Patterson when we were both students at Simpson College. When I moved to Toledo, I became acquainted with Mike’s grandmother, Vi Morgan, and his parents, Louis and Pat Patterson. At a Chapter BK meeting, Louis shared Mike’s achievements in writing his first opera, The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” she said. “I learned about the Opera Iowa program and the possibility of bringing Mike’s opera to Tama Toledo. [With] the Wieting Theatre renovation in its early stages, the idea of raising money [with Opera Iowa] seemed to be a good fit. PEO Toledo Chapter DF accepted the challenge. Yvonne Mallory [a PEO DF sister in Dubuque] and I co-chaired the project. We joked that we became ‘The Producers of Toledo.’ He was proud and happy to have presented [his opera The Tale of Peter Rabbit] at the Wieting Theatre since he grew up two doors away from the theatre.”

The showing will be on March 10 at 7 p.m., with the house opening at 6:30 pm at the Wieting Theatre. Costumes are encouraged. Following the performance, a reception at the Wieting’s Event Center to celebrate the theatre, the community, and the visiting Opera Iowa troupe.

Tickets for the show will be $15 for adults and $12 for students. Tickets may be bought in advance starting February 24th at both State Bank of Toledo locations and Lincoln Savings Bank and 30 minutes before movie showings at the Wieting Theatre on Feb. 24 and 26 and March 3 and 5. All proceeds, after expenses, will go towards the Wieting Theatre’s Phase II renovation debt.

Community members can volunteer to help with other events at the Wieting Theatre by visiting wieting.tamatoledo.com.

Cast

Opera Iowa will also be hosting a private showing of Malcolm Fox’s Sid the Sea Serpent Who Wanted to Sing for South Tama Elementary students on Friday, March 24, sponsored by the South Tama Elementary Boosters. Opera Iowa will also be teaching students about opera with mini-workshops. Contributed photo.

Belle: Alyssa Barnes, soprano (Houston, TX)

Beast: Nicholas Huff, tenor (Kenosha, WI)

Marcel: Logan Dell’Acqua, baritone (Traverse City, MI)

Spirit of the Rose & Josette: Sarah Rosales, soprano (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Adéle: Ariana Warren, mezzo-soprano (Long Island, NY)

Music by: André Grétry (as arranged by Joshua Borths)