The UF Opera Theatre Workshop will present 'Susannah'

April 5, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Opera Theatre Workshop presents “Susannah,” the most beloved American folk opera ever written. It is the story of 18-year-old Susannah Polk, an innocent girl who is falsely accused by the church elders of a sin in the small mountain town of New Hope Valley, Tennessee. This beautiful and emotionally charged two-act musical drama is composed by Carlisle Floyd.
Opening night is at 7 p.m. on April 8 and shows continue at the same time through April 10, with an additional 1:30 p.m. showing on April 11. Performances will be held in the Nadine McGuire Black Box Theatre at UF. All tickets are $7 and are limited to 110 sales per night.

The production is a collaborative project within the College of Fine Arts School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance. It features a cast of talented graduate and undergraduate singers, who have appeared in the previous UF productions of “Tosca,” “La Traviata,” “West Side Story” and more. Dr. Anthony Offerle, who heads the UF Opera Theatre, directs the production. Conducting the chamber orchestra is award-winning musician and conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Matthew Wardell.

“Susannah grabs the audience from the opening bar and keeps them on the edge of their seats till the last note,” Offerle said. “It has everything theater and music lovers want in a production: a great score, beautiful melodies, a strong yet vulnerable heroine, and a powerful villain. There is not a more engaging story in the operatic repertoire.”
The theater is air-conditioned and handicapped accessible. The University Box Office is located in the lobby of the Constans Theatre and is open Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 45 minutes prior to each performance.

For more information, call the University Box Office at 352-392-1653. Tickets may also be reserved online at www.ticketmaster.com.