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August 2, 2006

VAPA announces new professional music theatre; preview scheduled for Aug. 17-20

ULM’s School of Visual and Performing Arts will open a professional music theatre, Louisiana Lyric Opera, in July 2007. The theatre will produce three professional musicals or light operas, accompanied by live orchestra, between July 5 and Aug. 20 each summer.

VAPA will offer a preview of its new theatre with the “The Game of Love,” to be held in Spyker Theatre Aug. 17 - 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 20 at 2 p.m.

The production personnel, technical staff and actors will all be professionals in their field of expertise. Leading actors and actresses in each show will be from Broadway; supporting roles and chorus will be cast from local talent and regional auditions. A resident company will be hired from these auditions. Performances will be in Brown Theatre at ULM.

Several events throughout the upcoming year will offer the community further preview opportunities, including a full university production of “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart in November and “Hello Dolly” in March. “Polly Patchwork,” a children’s opera in February, and the popular “Backpack Opera” in April will offer entertainment and educational opportunities to school children throughout the region.

“The Game of Love” takes place in Vienna in the 1890s and is a romantic comedy. The book and lyrics are by Tom Jones and music is by Jacques Offenbach.

Tickets are $20 for the general public and $15 for students and senior citizens. For information and reservations please call 318-342-1414. A special “premier show party” is available Thursday, Aug. 17 for $40 which includes prime seating for the show, a signed souvenir program and an invitation to a “meet the cast” reception following. The show is suitable for all ages and families are encouraged to attend. Group rates are available.

Free rush tickets, given 30 minutes before curtain, are available to ULM students, faculty and staff on an as-available basis.  

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