Kent State Opera Presents Aaron Copland's Timeless American Opera THE TENDER LAND

Kent State University Opera presents Aaron Copland's quintessentially American Opera "The Tender Land" on Fri., March 15 and Sat., March 16 at 7:30 p.m., and Sun., March 17 at 3 p.m. The cast will be joined by the Kent State University Orchestra in this fully staged production performed in English in Ludwig Recital Hall. The artistic and production team includes Marla Berg, director; Jay White, music director; and Jungho Kim, conductor. Set and lighting design provided by Marcus Dana. Ludwig Recital Hall is at 1325 Theatre Drive in the Center for the Performing Arts. Ample free and handicap accessible parking is available.

Set in the rural Midwest during the 1930's Great Depression era, "The Tender Land" tells the beautiful coming of age story of Laurie Moss, on the cusp of her high school graduation. The opera explores the complicated and sometimes heartbreaking ideas of personal identity, romantic love and familial obligation. As the story progresses, tension builds within the family as Laurie struggles to decide if she will stay to continue her family's farming legacy or leave to find her unique place in the world, turning everyone else's world upside down.

"I think this production will resonate very strongly with Northeast Ohioans. There's a great historical tradition of agriculture here," said Berg. "Because of this, many people in this region have also experienced first-hand the pull between staying home to work on the farm versus leaving to find their own way."

Cast:

Roles

-Laurie Moss, Marley Lieberman

-Ma Moss, Teagan Amey

-Beth Moss, Heather Morrison

-Top, Austin Piper

-Martin, Benjamin Hayes

-Mr. Jenks, Hank Hantak

-Mrs. Jenks, Kelly Harper

-Mrs. Splinters, Natalie Butchko

-Mr. Splinters, Xuyue Qing

-Grandpa Moss, Jason Howie

Ensemble

-Soprano: Lou Albertson, Anna Hylton, Chantrell Lewis, Marie Lineman

-Mezzo: McKayla Ferguson, Abigail Kraeer, Rachel Black

-Tenor: Ezra Keeton, Manuel Gomez

-Baritone: Andrew Vanke, Joshua Twitchell, Brandon Bell

The Kent State University Performing Arts Box Office is located in the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent Campus and is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Patrons can purchase tickets in advance three ways: in-person, by calling 330-672-2787 (ARTS), or online at www.kent.edu/music/buy-tickets. Tickets are $15, adults; $13, seniors and Kent State University faculty and staff; $10, groups of 10 or more; $8, non-Kent State students and Kent State students ineligible for the Fee for Free; and FREE for full-time Kent State undergraduate students and those 18 and under. Tickets will also be available at the door one hour before the performance.

The Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University, nestled in beautiful and vibrant Kent, Ohio, is one of the most distinguished schools of music in the Midwest. For over 100 years, the School of Music has nurtured the next generation of music educators, performing artists and scholars. We offer some of the most comprehensive and innovative degree programs in the country, with an emphasis on experiential learning, quality scholarship and immersive technical training. Students enrolled in our programs can expect a warm and supportive environment where fostering professional growth and personal development is a priority. Our graduates have gone on to have successful careers in music education, music performance, scholarly research, higher education and administration.

During the summer, the School of Music hosts the Kent Blossom Music Festival in cooperation with The Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Music Center. The festival is regarded as one of the premier centers for professional music training for young artists in the United States. Now entering its 51st season in 2019, the festival continues its now half-century legacy of helping to launch the careers of young artists with alumni holding positions of prominence in many of the world's finest orchestras, chamber ensembles and educational institutions.