Ash Lawn Opera to Stage SOUTH PACIFIC This Month

Ash Lawn Opera's 2016 summer season concludes with South Pacific, an ever-topical story of love in the time of war, and one of the most heralded musicals of all time. Since its premiere in 1949, it has won countless awards, including the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Awards both for its original run and its 2008 revival.

South Pacific tells two love stories, both threatened by prejudice and war, during the American occupation of a beautiful island oasis. Sharin Apostolou (American Repertory Theater, Glimmerglass Festival, Portland Opera) returns to Ash Lawn Opera for a second consecutive year following her triumphant portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (2015) as the plucky but naive Nellie Forbush. Her character falls in love with the dashing Emile de Becque, played by Corey Crider (Lyric Opera of Chicago, Arizona Opera, Munich Philharmonic). They are joined by Timothy McDevitt (New York Philharmonic, NY City Center Encores!, The Philadelphia Orchestra) as the courageous Lt. Cable, Daryl Freedman (Washington National Opera, Santa Fe Opera) as the enigmatic Bloody Mary, and Clayton Brown (St. Petersburg Opera, Opera America) as the hilarious Luther Billis. Maestro Andy Anderson, former Artistic Director of Mobile Opera, returns to Ash Lawn Opera for a second consecutive year to conduct. John de los Santos (Palm Beach Opera, Fort Worth Opera), whose staging of The Rose and the Knife with LoftOpera was named among the "Best Classical Music of 2015" by the New York Times, also returns to Ash Lawn Opera as Stage Director/Choreographer.

Featuring some of the greatest songs in musical theater history, including "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy," and "A Cockeyed Optimist," this remarkable production will stay with you for years to come.

SCHEDULE & TICKETS:

July 23 at 7:30 pm - $25, $50, $65, $75
July 24 at 2:00 pm - $25, $50, $65, $75
July 27 at 7:30 pm - $25, $45, $60, $70 (mid-week discount)
July 29 at 7:30 pm - $25, $50, $65, $75
July 30 at 2:00 pm - $25, $50, $65, $75

For all performances, Youth (12 and under) $12 and Students (with I.D.) $16.50. Single tickets for the summer season on sale April 4. Tickets available at The Paramount Theater Box Office, open 10 am - 2pm, weekdays. Call (434) 979-1333 or visit www.theparamount.net.

All ticket holders are invited to an educational and enlightening lecture 45 minutes before every performance.