A Night on Broadway at Lawrence Opera Theatre
Dates: 2/28/2026
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📍 Theatre: |
Lawrence Opera Theatre
1031 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, KS 66044
Lawrence, KS 66044
Tickets: 25-50
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Lawrence Opera Theatre invites you to an unforgettable evening of music, glamour, and community at our annual fundraising gala!
Step into the spotlight and enjoy show-stopping Broadway favorites, opera classics, live performances by incredible vocalists, and an atmosphere filled with elegance and excitement. The night will also feature a curated silent auction showcasing unique experiences and local treasures, all in support of LOT's mission to make opera and musical theatre accessible to artists and audiences alike.
Your presence helps sustain professional-quality productions, support emerging performers, and keep the performing arts thriving in our region. Whether you're a lifelong theatre lover or simply looking for a magical night out, "A Night on Broadway" promises unforgettable moments, meaningful impact, and plenty of applause-worthy surprises.
Visit lawrenceopera.org for tickets and more information.
Collaborative Pianist: Megan Widger
Emcee: Alexis Crist
Featured Singers: Lisa Gerstenkorn, Crystal Buck, Alexis Crist, Anna'Marie Sosa, Linda Jorgenson, Emily Lynn Jared Brooks, Jie Li, John Henrikson, Joshua Jensen, Kailun Hu, Nico Caruso, Polly Ayala, Roslinde Rivera
Cast and Creative Team for A Night on Broadway at Lawrence Opera Theatre
Cast
Polly Ayala
Polly Ayala is a soprano and junior vocal performance major at Washburn University, where she studies with Dr. Joseph DeSota. Recent roles include Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte) and Clio (Xanadu). She has also appeared in ensembles for Hänsel und Gretel (MOSI) and LOT’s productions of Pagliacci, Trial by Jury, Don Giovanni, Carmen, and covered Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi. Upcoming roles include Despina (Così fan tutte).
Jared Brooks
Jared Brooks is a second-year graduate student at the UMKC Conservatory pursuing dual master’s degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting. A George native and Reinhardt University graduate, he studies with Dr. Aidan Soder and Dr. Jennifer Sengin. An active performer, he is preparing to sing Don Jose in UMKC’s 2026 production of Carmen. Jared most recently appeared with LOT as Canio in their 2025 production of Pagliaci.
Crystal Buck
Crystal Buck holds a Ph.D. in Musicology and D.M.A. in Voice/Opera. She has performed nationally and internationally with Madison Opera, Rome Opera, and LOT. Featured roles include Despina, Lucia, Elvira, Christine Daaé, and Donna Anna, along with covering Carmen. Honors include Richmond County Orchestra Competition and Univ. of MN Concerto Competition. Dr. Buck teaches at Washburn University and maintains Buck Academy of Music and Languages in Topeka.
Nico Caruso
Nico Caruso, Kansas City tenor, is excited for another season with LOT! Outside of his engagements with Lawrence Opera Theatre (most recently singing Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi), Nico has most recently sung with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, performed lead roles in Kurt Weil’s Street Scene and Bock & Harnick’s She Loves Me, and has upcoming performances with Shakespeare Opera Theatre in McLean, Virginia, as Sam (Susannah) and Valere (Tartuffe).
Alexis Crist
Alexis Crist is a 2024 graduate of Oklahoma City University, earning her B.M. in Vocal Music Education and Vocal Performance. At OCU, she performed roles including Diana (Orpheus in the Underworld), Second Woman (Dido & Aeneas), and Eliza/Ensemble in the world premiere of A Friend of Dolly. She made her LOT debut performing Nella in Gianni Schicchi and directing scenes from Baby and Street Scene. She is thrilled to serve as tonight’s MC for you all!
Lisa Gerstenkorn
Lisa Gerstenkorn recently performed as Veronica in Bizet’s Doctor Miracle with LOT’s 2025 season. She has sung with Opera Kansas, Tulsa Opera, Heartland Opera Theatre, Music on Site, Ohio Light Opera, and Heartland Sings. Favorite roles include Julia Child (Bon Appetit!), La Principessa (Suor Angelica), Ruth (Pirates of Penzance), the Learned Judge (Trial by Jury), and Glinda (Wizard of Oz). Lisa teaches at Washburn University and maintains a thriving and passionate voice studio in Topeka and the surrounding region, serving singers of all ages.
John Henrikson
John Henrikson, tenor, will perform Don Jose in Carmen at UMKC in February 2026. He holds a Master’s from Michigan State University and is completing his DMA from UMKC Conservatory. Recent performances at LOT include Docteur Miracle (Bizet) and Don Ottavio (Mozart). He has covered Joe in Gershwin’s Blue Monday and Beppe in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. He won a Lansing State Journal Thespie for his portrayal of Pluto in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld.
Kailun Hu
Kailun Hu, baritone, is a DMA Vocal Performance candidate at KU, studying with Dr. John Stephens. His opera roles include Marco (LOT’s Gianni Schicchi), Vater (MOSI’s Hansel und Gretel), and Falke (KU Opera’s Die Fledermaus). He also played Aeneas twice (KU and MU) and School Principal in MU Opera’s Paul’s Case. Honors include 2022 NATS regional winner (overall best performance), and 2017 Moscow Conservatory competition first prize (China).
Joshua Jensen
Joshua Jensen is a bass and junior vocal performance major at Washburn University, where he studies with Dr. Joseph DeSota. Recent roles include Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte), Sonny Malone (Xanadu), Plaintiff’s Counsel (Trial by Jury), Maestro Spinelloccio (Gianni Schicchi), Barbershop Man (Path to Heaven), and chorus work with Pagliacci, Carmen, and Don Giovanni. He was also a featured dancer, along with Polly Ayala, in Blue Monday and regularly performs with Washburn University and LOT.
Linda Jorgenson
Linda Jorgenson holds a B.S. in Paralegal Studies with a minor in Musical Theatre from MSU Moorhead. She has been a member of LOT since 2020, appearing frequently in the chorus. Recent roles include Mrs. Squires (The Music Man), understudy of both stepsisters (Cinderella), and the Usher (Trial by Jury). She also serves as LOT’s Production and Stage Manager, with SM credits including Heir Apparent, Sgt. Stubby, Beauty and the Beast, Jr., Carmen, Trial by Jury, and Don Giovanni. She currently studies voice with Susan Hires Voice Studio in Lawrence, KS.
Jie Li
Jie Li is a soprano and third-year DMA student in Voice Performance at the University of Kansas, studying with Dr. Courtney Fletcher. She previously earned a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and a master’s degree in music education. Her recent roles include Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi with Lawrence Opera Theatre, Adina in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, and the title role in Suor Angelica in KU productions.
Emily Lynn
Emily Lynn, from North Manchester, Indiana, earned her B.A. in French and Music at Manchester University, followed by a Master’s in Music at UMKC and an Artist Diploma at William Jewell College. She has performed roles including Frasquita (Carmen), Morgana (Alcina), and Suor Genovieffa (Suor Angelica). Emily remains passionate about creating operatic projects, fostering community among artists, and teaching preschool music and private voice lessons to students of all ages.
Roslinde Rivera
Roslinde Rivera is a Kansas City mezzo-soprano and arts administrator. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance from William Jewell College, certificates in Performance and Arts Management, and an MBA in Nonprofit Management from UMKC. Recent roles include La Principessa (Suor Angelica), Third Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Ruth (Pirates of Penzance), Siegrune (Die Walküre), and Mrs. Nolan (The Medium), and she has covered Carmen (Carmen). She sings actively with choral ensembles like Te Deum and Re:Sound.
Anna'Marie Sosa
Anna’Marie Sosa is a KU Organizational Communications master’s student and holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. She has performed in KU Opera’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto, the Undergraduate Honor Recital, the opera workshop program, and Lawrence Opera Theatre’s Pagliacci. Notably, she sang the National Anthem for Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s 2019 Inaugural Ball and at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, in 2018.
Megan Widger
Megan Widger is a collaborative pianist in the Kansas City area and is going into her fourth season at Lawrence Opera Theatre. Megan’s primary occupation is playing piano for choirs at the North Kansas City school district, in addition to voice coaching high school students and choreographing middle school shows. Recent performances include Pagliacci, Gianni Schicchi, Peter and the Starcatcher, Beetlejuice, Jr., Anything Goes, and The SeussOdyssey.
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Lawrence Opera Theatre is at 1031 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, KS 66044, Lawrence, KS.
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