Ouachita Opera Theatre to present ‘The Old Maid and the Thief’

ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University Opera Theatre will present Gian Carlo Menotti’s radio opera “The Old Maid and the Thief” Thursday through Sunday.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a matinee performance on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., in Jones Performing Arts Center.

This one-act, comic radio opera — which was adapted for the stage following its successful radio premiere in 1939 — tells the story of a spinster, Miss Todd, and her maid, Laetitia, who welcome an attractive beggar into their home. The story unfolds as the women’s gossip, lies and secrets lead to keeping the beggar around, even if it means breaking the law.

“Come prepared to laugh,” John Alec Briggs, lecturer of music and co-director of the opera, said in a news release. “Opera is so often thought of as being very serious, but this show is full of laughter and high jinks.”

“The Old Maid and the Thief” is comprised of only four character roles, so the roles are double and triple cast to give more students the opportunity to perform. With the different ensembles, Briggs said every show is sure to be unlike the one before it, the release said.

“Each character in the show has their own endearing qualities,” Briggs said. “Watching their interactions on stage and how they deal with the situations they find themselves in reveals much about what drives each character.”

The cast is composed of students majoring in musical theater and vocal music performance. The cast is also accompanied by an orchestra of instrumental music majors. “There wouldn’t be a show without our orchestra,” Briggs said.

Tickets for “The Old Maid and the Thief” are $12 each and can be purchased online at http://www. obu.edu/boxoffice or from the Ouachita Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. Call the box office during business hours at 870-2455555 for more information.