Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

November 7, 2003

Comic opera is ISU Theatre's fall finale

Ruddigore or The Witch's Curse, a comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan, is ISU Theatre's final production for fall semester. It opens Friday, Nov. 7.

The story takes place in the fishing village of Rederring, Cornwall, where there hasn't been a wedding in six months because all the young men are in love with Rose Maybud. However, they all are equally shy about courting her. The group includes Robin Oakapple, who hails from a doomed family, men who succeed each other as the lord of Ruddigore. Because of a witch's curse several years earlier, the ruling lord must commit one major crime a day for life or die a tortuous death. What chance is there for a man like this to win the hand of the honorable and ladylike Rose?

Ruddigore is a collaborative performance of ISU Theatre, the music department and ISU Dance. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 8, 14 and 15, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9 and 16. All performances are in Fisher Theater.

Jane Cox, professor of music, directs the opera, with musical direction by Mary Creswell, assistant professor of music.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $9.50 for students and children. Tickets are available from the Iowa State Center box office, 4-3347.