As for many performing arts groups, the last two years were a pause for Ohio Light Opera, which has been performing at the College of Wooster since 1979. Its 2020 season was all-virtual. Its 2021 season was a shortened mish-mosh of virtual performances and outdoor shows.
Now it’s back performing live in the College of Wooster’s Freedlander Theatre, although once again, the season is a little shorter: they’ll be performing six shows over six weeks instead of the usual seven over seven weeks, as usual in repertory, meaning the shows are performed simultaneously on different nights.
This year’s schedule includes the obligatory Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, one of their best-known, The Pirates of Penzance. The rest of the schedule includes another pair of operettas, The Mock Marriage by Franz Lehar, best known for composing The Merry Widow, and Sigmund Romberg’s 1924 The Student Prince, along with three extremely well-known and beloved Broadway musicals: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Jerry Herman’s Hello Dolly and Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones’ The Fantasticks, which will be performed outdoors with piano accompaniment. All other shows will feature an orchestra.
The season begins on Sat 6/18 with Cinderella and runs through July 31. Call 330-263-2345 for more information and tickets.