Central College’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts will present Leonard Bernstein’s opera, “Trouble in Tahiti.” This production will run Wednesday, Sept. 30, to Saturday, Oct. 3, in the Linda K. Glendening Recital Hall in Cox-Snow Music Center, with performances at 7 p.m. This is the first time “Trouble in Tahiti” has been performed at Central.
Sean Stephenson, assistant professor of music, is the director and music director. Ron Rybkowski, technical director of theatre, aids in the technical aspects of the show, with Cynthia Prickett Beschel s the choreographer. Together, they will be working with a cast, crew and pit orchestra of 26 students.
“’Trouble in Tahiti’ is a 50-minute opera that depicts a day in the life of a stereotypical married couple in the 1950s,” Stephenson says. “However, their marriage is in trouble, and each scene explores their challenging interpersonal dynamics and their complicated individual feelings. It’s a tragedy, with some humor mixed in.”
This opera documents Bernstein’s experience growing up with two parents who had a difficult relationship. The heart-rending melodies, combined with the jazzy, upbeat tunes, allow the audience to feel Bernstein’s personal attachment to his work.
Themes in this show are more adult-oriented, but not inappropriate for children. Purchase tickets at central.universitytickets.com. Tickets are $10 per person, or free with a Central ID.
Stephenson says he has many great performers, so he decided to double cast. One cast will perform on Wednesday and Friday, and the other will perform on Thursday and Saturday. Students in the cast, crew and orchestra include:
- Rebekah Bennett, Class of 2030 undeclared major from Knoxville, Iowa, as Trio Member in Thursday and Saturday performances.
- Mason Farrington, Class of 2027 musical theatre major from Ottumwa, Iowa, as Sam in Wednesday and Friday performances.
- Benjamin Evans, Class of 2030 undeclared major from Pella, Iowa, as Trio Member in Wednesday and Friday performances.
- Kathryn Hamlow, Class of 2028 environmental and sustainability studies major from Woodland Park, Colorado, as Dinah in Thursday and Saturday performances.
- Hannah Hildebrand, Class of 2028 vocal music education major from Pella, Iowa, as Trio Member in Thursday and Saturday performances.
- Eryn Lenhart, Class of 2027 communications studies and musical theatre majors from Bondurant, Iowa, as Trio Member in Wednesday and Friday performances.
- Zeke McCarty, Class of 2026 music major from Ames, Iowa, as Sam in Thursday and Saturday performances.
- Samantha Pagel, Class of 2027 vocal music education major from Madrid, Iowa, as Dinah in Wednesday and Friday performances.
- Jilliet Spahr, Class of 2027 vocal music education major from Lowden, Iowa, as Trio Member in Wednesday and Friday performances.
- Samuel Vis, Class of 2027 mathematics major from Ames, Iowa, as Trio Member in Thursday and Saturday performances.
Students in the production crew:
- Lillie Barker (Aurora Tiller), Class of 2029 musical theatre major from State Center, Iowa.
- Anna Dennis, Class of 2027 English major from Davenport, Iowa.
- Abigail Matson, Class of 2029 undeclared major from Ankeny, Iowa.
- Mika McCool, Class of 2027 English and musical theatre majors from Colesburg, Iowa.
- Ashley Purk, Class of 2027 art and Spanish majors from Ira, Iowa.
- Selena Snell, Class of 2027 musical theatre major from Kansas City, Missouri.
- Karsyn Trusley, Class of 2030 undeclared major from Macomb, Illinois.
- Brooke Watson, Class of 2028 musical theatre major from Newton, Iowa.
- Miles Xavier Young, Class of 2028 English and musical theatre majors from Akron, Iowa.
Students in the pit orchestra:
- Shea Buenzow, Class of 2028 accounting and actuarial science majors from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, plays percussion.
- Lauren Jurgens, Class of 2029 elementary education major from Clear Lake, Iowa, plays flute.
- Wyatt Kniffen, Class of 2028 physics and engineering majors from Madrid, Iowa, plays trumpet.
- Zane Munger, Class of 2029 religion major from Newton, Iowa, plays trombone.
- David Michael Negley, Class of 2027 business management and music major from Winterset, Iowa, plays percussion.
- Dominic Sexton, Class of 2027, business management and music major from Ames, Iowa, plays string bass.
Also performing in the orchestra are Barb Nunnikhoven and Ryan McDonald.
Photo caption: Seated from left: Samantha Pagel and Mason Farrington. Standing, Jilliet Spahr, Ben Evans, Eryn Lenhart
