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UCO School of Music Presents ‘The Gondoliers,’ Feb.28-March 2

Feb. 21, 2025

Five performers from the UCO Opera production of “The Gondoliers” pose in costume against a brick wall.
Five performers from the UCO Opera production of “The Gondoliers” pose in costume against a brick wall.

The University of Central Oklahoma School of Music’s Opera will present “The Gondoliers; or, The King of Barataria” at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 28-March 1, and at 2 p.m., March 2, in Mitchell Hall Theatre on Central’s campus.

Directed by Molly Cason Johnson, D.M.A., assistant professor of voice and opera, this fresh take on Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic operetta transports audiences from its traditional Venetian setting to 1940s New Orleans during carnival season. In this reimagined production, the two gondoliers from Venice, Louisiana, navigate the city not by boat but atop a parade float. At the same time, the mystery of who will be the next Mardi Gras Krewe King of Barataria is solved.

“The original score is set in Venice, Italy and the fictional city of Barataria, Spain. The moment I discovered the state of Louisiana has both a Venice and Barataria, I knew it had to be a Mardi Gras version,” Johnson said. 

“‘The Gondoliers’ is a delightful blend of humor, romance and vibrant music. Our cast and creative team have infused this production with energy and vintage charm, making it a must-see for audiences of all ages.”

Originally composed in 1889, “The Gondoliers” is one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most beloved works. This English-language operetta is known for its witty satire, engaging melodies and dynamic ensemble scenes. The story follows two carefree gondoliers who unexpectedly find themselves ruling a kingdom, leading to a series of humorous complications involving mistaken identities and romantic entanglements. The updated 1940s New Orleans setting enhances the operetta’s themes of festivity, tradition and social class satire.

UCO's production is family friendly and rated "G."

Tickets range from $10-$20 and are free for students with a valid UCO ID. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit go.uco.edu/CFAD-tickets or call 405-974-3375.

For a complete list of UCO College of Fine Arts and Design events and performances, visit www.uco.edu/cfad/.

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Scott Hale

Scott Hale

Marketing and Communication Manager, UCO College of Fine Arts and Design

Cutline: UCO Opera presents “The Gondoliers; or, The King of Barataria,” Feb. 28-March 2, at Mitchell Hall Theatre. The production reimagines the classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta in 1940s New Orleans during Mardi Gras, adding a unique and colorful twist to the comedic tale. Pictured, left to right, are Kendra Moon, a Master of Music in vocal performance graduate student from Portland, Oregon; Kiana Love, a Master of Music in vocal performance and vocal pedagogy graduate student from Lubbock, Texas; Jarrett Cox, a Master of Music in vocal performance and vocal pedagogy graduate student from Tuttle, Oklahoma; Logan Vohs, a Bachelor of Music in musical theatre senior from Round Rock, Texas; and Sebastião Ribeiro, a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance junior from Harare, Zimbabwe.

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About University of Central Oklahoma

The University of Central Oklahoma is a campus community in motion—leading, innovating and creating transformative learning opportunities that foster success for our students. As Oklahoma’s largest metropolitan university, we provide high-quality, nationally recognized programs that are always evolving and adapting to the needs of our students and the community. This commitment is rooted in our founding in 1890 as the state’s teacher’s college, training those who would educate the next generation of leaders and innovators. We remain dedicated to offering an accessible, affordable education, earning national accolades for social mobility, veterans’ outreach and first-generation student programs.

Guided by the motto “ubi motus est” – which translates to “where movement is” – the university continues to evolve and grow, offering 119 undergraduate and 81 graduate programs to our more than 12,000 students from our main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma, and facilities throughout the Oklahoma City metro. Our colors were the first adopted of any university in the state, and our Bronze and Blue symbolize our greatest strengths—the illumination of new ideas and the endless expanse of a clear sky above. At UCO, anything is possible.

The university is governed by the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Contact

100 North University Drive Edmond, OK 73034

405-974-2307

ucomm@uco.edu

www.uco.edu