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Opera Production Booked at Mississippi College


“Happily Ever Opera: A Rendering of Fairy Tales” is the name of the show at the Jean Pittman Williams Recital Hall. The opera on the Clinton campus runs from November 1-4.
“Happily Ever Opera: A Rendering of Fairy Tales” is the name of the show at the Jean Pittman Williams Recital Hall. The opera on the Clinton campus runs from November 1-4.

Fans of fairy tales like “Hansel & Gretel” shouldn’t miss Mississippi College’s opera production this Fall.

“Happily Ever Opera: A Rendering of Fairy Tales” is the name of the show at the Jean Pittman Williams Recital Hall. The opera on the Clinton campus runs from November 1-4.

Mississippi College senior Marilyn Sharp gets star billing as she plays the role of Gretel. The vocal performance major is thrilled to be part of the fairy tale show. A veteran of opera productions, she comes with a message to deliver to audiences.

“People usually think opera and think of a serious, three-hour long ordeal,” Sharp says. “However, this is a fun for anyone production.”

The MC Music Department opera showcases two popular fairy tales. There’s beautiful music to be performed as well, along with a post-production treat. “We welcome our audiences to enjoy themselves and share cookies with us after the show,” Sharp says.

Sharp, 22, is the daughter of MC School of Nursing Dean Dr. Kimberly Sharp of Clinton.

Besides telling the “Hansel & Gretel” story, the opera focuses on the lesser-known fairy tale of “The Goose Girl.”

The family-friendly production promises to be light-hearted. It should leave audiences with the feeling that happy endings are still possible.

The show features characters such as a princess seeking to discover her true love. And this princess finds it with a talented horse who sings. But a woman seeks to block the unusual union, the stuff of fairy tales.

Show times November 1-3 at the Aven Fine Arts Building are at 7 p.m. There’s a 3 p.m. production set for Sunday November 4. Tickets are $10 for adults. The price is $5 for students and children from any school. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

The MC production includes students Leah Oswalt of Clinton (the daughter of music professor Lewis Oswalt), Michaela Wilder of Brandon, Jalysa Jones of Jackson, Sallie K. Streeter and Audrey Bennett, both of Madison, and Carly Sparks of Alabama.

Rounding out the cast are MC students Sarah Pigott, a Tennessee native now residing in Clinton, Mark Payton of Louisiana, and Brittany Parry of Florida. An area high school student, Anna Duong, lands a nice role in the opera.