Women's Suite

UA Opera Theater with the Arizona Symphony Orchestra: “Orpheus in the Underworld” this weekend

UA Opera Theater with the Arizona Symphony Orchestra: "Orpheus in the Underworld" by Jacques Offenbach

UA Opera Theater with the Arizona Symphony Orchestra: "Orpheus in the Underworld" by Jacques Offenbach

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m.
and Sunday, April 8 at 3:00 p.m.
Crowder Hall
$20 general admission
$15 UA employees and seniors 55+, $10 students
There will be a post-performance talk-back after each show 

The University of Arizona Opera Theater presents "Orpheus in the Underworld" by Jacques Offenbach on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 8 at 3:00 p.m. in Crowder Hall. There will be a post-performance talk-back after each show. The opera will be sung in English with supertitles.

Off we go, down below, Orpheus will rock your underworld!

We all know the famous story of Orpheus and his Euridice. The University of Arizona Opera will be telling this story on stage – with a twist! Join us for Offenbach’s irreverent spoof, complete with the “Can-Can”! When Orpheus and Euridice find boredom in their marriage, the devious god, Pluto, offers a solution to the problem. He seduces Euridice and lures her down to the Underworld. Euridice’s presence causes a big stir among the gods of Olympus. Public Opinion (the woman whom we all know matters) sets the moral tone of the evening and keeps watch over the behavior of the characters. 

Director Cynthia Stokes has set the show in the 1970s during the debauchery and glamour of the free-spirited era that brought you Studio 54, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Cher, Jimi Hendrix and Andy Warhol. The costumes, designed by Chris Allen, are a whirlwind of colors, pop art, platform shoes, and of course, glitter. The Fred Fox School of Music will be installing our very own three-story temporary dance club called Inferno 54, designed by Sally Day. Alcohol will not be allowed on stage, of course, but that’s why we have ambrosia and nectar.

Thomas Cockrell conducts the University of Arizona Symphony Orchestra in this light-hearted farce with many tunes that will have you dancing in your seats. Cynthia Stokes, the newly appointed director of opera and Amelia Rieman Endowed Chair in Opera Theater, brings a fresh and energetic perspective on a time old story. 

Join us in Crowder Hall at the Fred Fox School of Music for this thrilling comedy. The performances will be on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 8 at 3:00 p.m. in Crowder Hall. There will be a post-performance talk back after each show. This hilarious romp of Greek mythology will make hell seem like a party and you’re all invited! See you in hell! 

Thursday & Saturday Cast
Orpheus: Emma Petersen
Euridice: Brianna Barnhart
Public Opinion: Kaitlin Bertenshaw
Jupiter: Mark Hockenberry
Venus: Bridget Marlowe
Mars: Jordan Murillo
Cupid: Anisa Jimenez
Diana: Chunghee Lee
Mercury: Sebastian Alameda
Pluto: Dan Marino
John Styx: David Ingram
Juno: Jenna Rosebrough
Minerva: Morgan Hardy

Friday & Sunday Cast
Orpheus: Jake Walters
Euridice: Kristen Lucas
Public Opinion: Matthew Alexander
Jupiter: Powell Brumm
Venus: Athena Beebe
Mars: Simon Faddoul
Cupid: Frannie Barrows
Diana: Shainy Manuel
Mercury: Jinzhou Jia
Pluto: Dan Marino
John Styx: David Ingram
Juno: Jenna Rosebrough
Minerva: Morgan Hardy

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