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Nov. 3, 2006

Scene from Figaro.

Susanna (Stacey Goodman) and Figaro (Micah Morgan). Photo by Patrick Gouran.

ISU Theatre, ISU music bring 'Figaro' to Fisher stage

by Dave Gieseke,

LAS Public Relations

The 250th birthday of Mozart will be celebrated on campus when the music department and ISU Theatre combine to produce one of the composer's most beloved works.

The Marriage of Figaro will be presented over four days beginning Nov. 2 in Fisher Theater. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 5.

First performed in 1786, Mozart's opera was banned due to its mockery of the upper class.

When the valet Figaro learns from his fiancée Susanna that their employer, Count Almaviva, has been flirting with her, they concoct a plan to trap him in his desires. The plot thickens with more secret desires, another proposal for Figaro and of course, the wedding ceremony.

"At points, Figaro is a farce," said Brad Dell, theater faculty member and the play's director. "There are disguises and mistaken identities throughout. It's great fun for the audience, although there are some very serious moments as well.

"Ultimately, it's the servants who dupe the upper class in a plot that's just plain silly."

Dell says The Marriage of Figaro, while challenging for the students, is a perfect vehicle for a college production.

"The characters are very accessible to the students," he said. "The roles are challenging but are more age appropriate than other operas are."

A first-time opera director, Dell said the main challenge of any opera is the sung dialogue.

"Unlike a Broadway musical, where the music supports the story, here the music is the most important aspect of the show," he said. "Many of our student actors haven't appeared in an opera before and it's been challenging for them to learn how to sing the dialogue. But they've been up to that challenge, and they're succeeding magnificently."

Music department faculty members Gordon Garrard, Mary Creswell and James Hannon are the musical directors and orchestral conductor.

Theater members Robert Sunderman (sets), Gregory Duckett (costumes) and Jim Trenberth (lighting) are the designers.

"It's a visual and musical cornucopia," Dell said.

Micah Morgan plays Figaro, and Stacey Goodman is Susanna. Ayron Hyatt and Kelly Kruse portray Count Almaviva and Countess Almaviva.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, including the Iowa State Center box office.

Summary

The Marriage of Figaro

Nov. 2-4, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 5, 2 p.m.

Fisher Theater

Tickets: $17

Quote

"Many of our student actors haven't appeared in an opera before and it's been challenging for them to learn how to sing the dialogue. But they've been up to that challenge, and they're succeeding magnificently."

Brad Dell, director