Past Productions

The Magic Flute
With its universal appeal, The Magic Flute received rave critical reviews in 2004 in The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, Waukegan News-Sun, and The Daily Herald. A family matinee was presented in Highland Park, and the same kid-sized version was presented at four schools along the North Shore and two performances at The Ravinia Festival. Performed in English and with a full orchestra, this production featured Sarah Gartshore (Lyric Opera Center) as The Queen of the Night, Mark Meier as Monastos, and James Martin as Pappageno.

Pagliacci
The first Opera Theatre production of Leoncavallo’s classic opera, Pagliacci was performed in 1996, and the second in May 2004. This story of betrayal and revenge featured a large cast, chorus and 22-piece orchestra. The lavish carnival and “stage” sets were created by Emil Boulos, USAA, costumes by Tatjana Radisic and lighting by Doug McDonald. Arnold Rawls performed the title role, with standing ovations at the tragic finale.

Barber of Seville
First presented in 1996, this production featured the town crier as the narrator. The 2003 production included a larger cast, baritone Eric McKeever as Figaro (and also in The Marriage of Figaro April 2003) and Warren Moulton as Rossini, the composer, who narrates the story. Presented in Highland Park and Skokie, other featured singers included Laurel Cameron as Rosina, Jay Morrissey as Count Almaviva, John Payonk as Dr. Bartolo and Andrew Schultze as the comic Don Basilio. A one-hour version of this classic was presented as part of The Ravinia Festival’s Kraft concerts for Kids in August 2003.

The Marriage of Figaro
Opera Theatre presented this Mozart masterpiece in April 2003 in Highland Park, and at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. Performed in English, this production featured Eric McKeever as Figaro, Kevin Kees as The Count and Donita Lattimore as The Countess. Presented in English for better understanding, a one-hour version was presented as a family matinee, and also for elementary school students in Waukegan, with funding from TAP Pharmaceuticals.

La bohème
This everlasting story of love and strife on Paris’ left bank was our first production in 1996, was performed in 2000 and will be featured again in the upcoming season. Featuring soprano Anne Marie Lewis and tenor Tod Kowalis, the standing ovation it received set the pace and standard for future productions. In the January 2005 production, presented in Italian, the four “Bohemians” will narrate the story and audience members become patrons of the Parisian Café Momus.

La Traviata
Presented in 1997 and again in 2002. This production marked our foray into Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, where we were greeted with a standing ovation. Of last season’s production, Dorothy Andries of the Pioneer Press wrote: “Opera Theatre’s production was passionate in the extreme. The scenes between the two lovers were incandescent.”

Rigoletto
Performed in 1997, it set the pace for all of our operas that season, each one garnering a rousing, standing ovation. Paul Grizzell starred as the tortured court jester, with Theresa Ludden as his ill-fated daughter Gilda. Former WFMT announcer Norman Pellegrini provided commentary.

Tosca
Puccini’s beautifully tragic love story featured Lyric Opera Center Tenor, James Cornelison as Cavaradossi and Deb DeNoon in the title role. The late, great Alfred Glasser provided commentary. To be repeated in 2004-2005.

Don Pasquale
Of Donizetti’s comical farce, Dorothy Andries wrote: “Something lovely is happening in Highland Park. (Opera Theatre) demonstrated what can be done with a good story, beautiful music and a solid group of actor/singers.” Narrated by Chicago comedian, Aaron Freeman, our 1998 production left the audience laughing all the way home.

Carmen
Featuring Barbara Landis in the title role and tenor James Cornelison as the lovesick Don Jose, the story was elegantly told by Escamillo, the bullfighter, played by Paul Grizzell. This 1999 production may be repeated in 2004-2005.

The Tales of Hoffmann
WFMT’s Andy Karzas, set the scenes for this three act opera, which tells the tales of love gone awry. Our 1999 production starred Lyric Opera’s Mark McCrory as the devilish baritone who destroys love at every turn, and tenor Warren Moulton as the ill-fated lover.

Don Giovanni
Mozart’s infamous tale of a most-famous womanizer, was told by actress Marilyn Campbell, posing as one of the Don’s former lovers, and starred Kevin Kees in the title role. This first production of the new millennium was repeated at a benefit for Oakton Community College.

Madama Butterfly
Our 2000 production marked the introduction of Conductor and Music Director Francesco Milioto. Under his baton, this tragic love story rose to new heights. Narrated by a chorus of Geisha Girls, it featured Denise Finneran in the title role and Anne Marie Lewis as stage director.

Die Fledermaus
Our first production in English, provided audiences with a rare treat of comic singer/actors gathered on one stage. Featuring comic tenors Mark Meier and Warren Moulton, baritones Paul Grizzell and John Payonk and sopranos, Anne Marie Lewis, Theresa Ludden and Jessye Wright, this 2001 production rang in the new year in style with Viennese string quartet accompaniment.