William Tvrdik as the title character in CCM’s Mainstage Series production of ‘Don Pasquale.’ Photography by Mark Lyons.
CCM’s Mainstage Opera Series proudly presents Gaetano Donizetti’s Don Pasquale from April 3–6 in UC’s Patricia Corbett Theater. This beloved opera buffa is conducted by Mark Gibson with stage direction by accomplished artist’s diploma student Omer Ben-Seadia. The opera will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
A comedic masterpiece that has captivated audiences since its 1843 premiere, Don Pasquale remains one of the most popular of Donizetti’s nearly 70 operas. On its surface, the opera details the plight of Ernesto, who fights to follow his heart rather than marry the woman his haughty old uncle Don Pasquale thinks he should. Outraged, the lifelong bachelor Pasquale decides to cut Ernesto out of his will and simply father his own heir, instead! A series of uproarious twists and turns ensues as a raucous ensemble of characters begin to take over the Pasquale homestead.
While it is easy to root for Ernesto and true love to prevail, Ben-Seadia suggests that it is Don Pasquale who serves as the true hero of this opera. She explains, “With all that is at stake, Pasquale is the one willing to risk it all… not just for love but for life. Sure we love to see him fail, but after all is said and done we look at Pasquale not with pity, but with the hope that he in fact will try again.”
Don Pasquale’s house staff. Photography by Tom Umfrid.
About Omer Ben-Seadia
Omer Ben-Seadia, originally from Tel-Aviv, Israel, is an Artist’s Diploma candidate in Opera Directing at CCM. Following the completion of her degree, Ben-Seadia will join the Merola Opera Program as an apprentice stage director for the 2014 season and will be directing the Merola grand finale on the main stage of the War Memorial Opera House.
At CCM, she has directed several productions including Bizet’s Le Docteur Miracle, Verdi’s Don Carlos, J.S. Bach’s Saint John Passion as well as various scenes programs.
Her recent works include Let’s Cook up an Opera with Cincinnati Opera, Surviving the Amazing Opera Race with Dayton Opera, The Golden Vanity with the Cincinnati Boychoir and From Paris with Love with the Israeli Opera.
Before moving to the United States, Ben-Seadia was a member of the staff at the Israeli Opera for almost a decade, where she directed and assisted many prominent and international productions including the world premier of Shochat’s The Child Dreams and an outdoor production of Jérusalem as part of the Masada and Jerusalem Opera Festival.
Having received her bachelor’s degree in Theater Directing from Seminar HaKibutzim, School of Performing Arts, she has long been involved in the repertoire and fringe theaters across Israel.
Creative Team
- Mark Gibson, conductor
- Omer Ben-Seadia, stage director
- Tom Umfrid, scenic designer
- Regina Truhart, costume designer
- Amy E. Whitaker, wigs & make-up designer
- Jenny Barnick, sound designer
- Brad Runevich, technical director
- Jonnie Lynn Jacobs-Percer, choreographer
- k. Jenny Jones, fight director
- Terry (Ben) Lusk, musical preparation
- Colleen Phelps, chorus master
- Kihwa Kim, Rehtt Lei and Stephen Variames, rehearsal pianists
- Cori Ellison, supertitles
- Jahana Azodi, stage manager
Cast List
- Don Pasquale: Charles (Zach) Owen*, William Tvrdik^
- Dr. Malatesta: Conor McDonald*, Joseph Lattanzi^
- Ernesto: Alec Carlson*, Christopher Bozeka^
- Norina: Summer Hassan*, Jasmine Habersham^ (cover: Talya Lieberman)
- The Notary: Stefan Erik Egerstrom
- Ensemble: Pedro Arroyo, Brandon Bell, Stefan Erik Egerstrom, Eleni Franck, Kelly Hamm, Talya Lieberman, John Overholt, Lindsey Terrell
* Thursday, April 3, and Saturday, April 5
^ Friday, April 4, and Sunday, April 6
Performance Times
- 8 p.m. Thursday, April 3
- 8 p.m. Friday, April 4
- 8 p.m. Saturday, April 5
- 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6
Location
Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets to Don Pasquale are $31-$35 for adults, $20-$24 for non-UC students and $18-$22 for UC students with valid ID.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online at ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice/donpasquale.
Parking and Directions
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.
For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the new U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.
For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.
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CCM Season Presenting Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Community Partner: ArtsWave
Mainstage Season Production Sponsor: Macy’s
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