Pitt State instructor strives to make opera more accessible 

Two talented casts of students will bring two operatic comedies to life next week when Pittsburg State University Opera presents “The Telephone” and “Trial By Jury” at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. 

They are directed by Instructional Professor of Music Patrick Howle and accompanied by Jung Hee Lee. 

“I had a vision for modernizing these, and the students wanted to help,” Howle said. 

Both operas will be sung in English, making them more feel more accessible by modern audiences, and each are just one act of 25 to 30 minutes, making the total run time no more than one hour. 

“I’m always trying to help overcome the stereotypes associated with opera as being stuff, long, and boring,” said Howle, himself a noted performer who studied opera in college and as a resident artist with an opera company in Connecticut sang in “The Telephone.”

“Opera used to be THE kind of performance people attended hundreds of year ago,” he said. “If we’re not careful, it could go away. It survived a very long time, but I worry that sometimes people today don’t give it a chance. I strive to choose things that are good for the students in terms of a musical education, but also good for the community in terms of entertainment.” 

Filled with laughter, love, and lively music, Menotti’s “The Telephone” is a charming comedy in which Ben (Chandler Goodman, with Max Battaglia as understudy) is determined to propose to his beloved Lucy (Sara Flessner, with Kendra Johnson as understudy) — if only he can compete with the constant buzz of her devices! Will true love triumph over modern distractions? 

Gilbert and Sullivan’s uproarious “Trial by Jury” is a whirlwind courtroom spectacle where jilted lovers, sharp-tongued arguments, and witty musical antics collide. Who will win this melodious battle of hearts?  

That cast includes: 

The Learned Judge — Marlee Mikel 

The Plaintiff (Angelina) — Mary Jo Peterson 
The Defendant (Edwin) — Brayden Seiwert 
Counsel for the Plaintiff — Carollyn Chapman 
Usher — Max Battaglia 
Foreman of the Jury — Chandler Goodman 

Ensemble 
Sopranos: Sara Flessner, Kathrynne Giger, Lily Han, Kendra Johnson, Juilianna Parra Kanady 
Altos: Ski Roberts, Melissa Sollner 
Tenors: Joseph Barnes 
Basses: Chandler Goodman, Alex Sampson-Foreman

Both will be performed at: 

7 p.m. on Feb. 6 
3 p.m. on Feb. 8 

Tickets: 

Free to anyone with a Pitt State ID 
$10 for the general public 
$5 for those under 18

Purchase now: pittstate.edu/tickets

Purchase at the PSU Ticket Office: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 137 Weede Building, 1701 S. Homer

Purchase at the door starting one hour before each performance.