Cimarron Opera Will Perform PATIENCE at Nancy O'Brian Center

Cimarron Opera will present Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience, presented June 26-28 at the Nancy O'Brian Center for the Performing Arts in Norman.

A favorite among Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts, Patience is a comic operetta that affectionately pokes fun at celebrity culture, artistic trends, and the pursuit of fashionable ideals. Though first performed in 1881, its themes remain surprisingly relevant in a world shaped by influencers, curated identities, and the desire to stand out from the crowd.

The story centers on Patience, a sincere young milkmaid who finds herself caught between two very different poets. Reginald Bunthorne, a flamboyant and self-promoting aesthetic poet, has captivated the hearts of the village maidens with his carefully crafted image. His rival, Archibald Grosvenor, is everything Bunthorne claims to be: handsome, talented, and genuinely admired. As the villagers navigate questions of love, popularity, and authenticity, Gilbert and Sullivan's trademark humor and memorable music drive the story to its delightfully absurd conclusion.

Patience is one of the most beloved collaborations of librettist W. S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, the creative team behind such classics as The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, and The Mikado. Their works helped define the operetta genre and continue to influence musical theater more than a century later.

Cimarron Opera's production features a cast of performers from across Oklahoma, including several artists making their Cimarron Opera debuts.

The cast is led by Christen May Meyer as Patience, Taylor Reich as Reginald Bunthorne, Kacey Dillon Yeargain as Archibald Grosvenor, Alix Golden as Lady Angela, Sarah Spurlin as Lady Saphir, Annie Elliot as Lady Ella, Karena Van Horn as Lady Jane, Pat Meirick as Colonel Calverley, Braden Henson as Major Murgatroyd, and Jarrett Cox as Lieutenant the Duke of Dunstable. This production marks the Cimarron Opera debut of Christen May Meyer, Taylor Reich, Kacey Yeargain, Alix Golden, and Karena Van Horn.

The production is directed by Nicholas Bartell, with musical direction by Kevin W. Smith, choreography by Kassie Carroll Downey, and is conducted by Mason Smith, who also makes his Cimarron Opera debut. The creative team includes Gora Naik (Set Designer), Natasha Naik (Props Designer), Nat Vorel (Costumer), Fabian Garcia (Lighting Designer), Blair Edwards (Lightboard Operator and Programmer), Katy Beaudreau (Costume Apprentice, debut), and Paeton Walker (Stage Manager, debut).

"Patience has been an incredible process," said Stage Director Nick Bartell. "Everyone has brought not only their amazing talents, but also an unabashed dedication to the idea of play, allowing us to explore so many comedic ideas that we can't wait to share with you. From staging to choreography, we hope our emphasis on movement and exploration of the space sheds joyful light on this timeless show."

Each summer, Cimarron Opera presents a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta through both its Summer Opera Theater Camp and its adult summer operetta program. This year, the operetta featured is Patience. Together, the productions engage performers ranging from young students to established adult artists, reflecting the organization's commitment to arts education, community engagement, and lifelong participation in the performing arts.