Tryon Festival Theatre, November 5-8, 2015
Music by Hector Berlioz
Libretto by Hector Berlioz, after William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing
Claire Levacher, conductor
Michael John Foster, director
English adaptation by Geoffrey Dunn

"I don't think any student is truly prepared for what awaits them after graduation. It goes without saying that 'real-world experience' can't be learned in books, but the transition to the marketplace can be especially difficult for singers. I speak from experience. I graduated with my doctorate in vocal performance from the University of Illinois three years ago and while my education was very good, I stumbled into a swiftly changing artistic world where a twelve year-old violinist can make thousands of dollars from attention on social media, while award-winning classical musicians remain just a whisper on the cultural radar. It seems that artist must stay relevant and create an audience for themselves. I can see this type of strategic creativity in Julie and Nathan Gunn. They are prime examples of artists who have their preverbial finger in the air to gauge the direction of the wind so they may express their artistic vision in a way that is captivation to potential audiences. This sensitivity is what makes them well-equipped to raise up new generations of singers and why I'm proud to work with the Lyric Theatre program. Their goal for students is not only healthy vocal technique but good storytelling abilities that resonate with people. I believe this has been accomplished in Beatrice and Benedict. Through the creative work of a fleet of people, I think we have taken what could have been the height of pretense, Shakespeare and opera, and unearthed warmth and humor that everyone can feel. At the same time, I also believe we have given students a strategy for success on and off the stage.

Such goals can't be accomplished alone, which is why I would like to thank the many people who have lent their expertise to this show. Claire Levacher has been a great collaborator in this process, as have been Michael Tilley, Michael Bagby, Jeeson Eon, and Dennis Helmrich. Don Schleicher and his orchestra students have also been invaluable... thank you. Regina Garcia, Brian Gonnar, Pingwei Li, Michael Schoaf and Tyler Knowles along with their respective teams have done amazing work. Of course, a show needs players and I'm thankful to the talented singer-actors who have dedicated many hours to their roles. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank Rick Mireles and his stage management team. I don't know what the folds at LEVEL21 are doing to turn out such high quality managers, but it's working. Kudos to you.

I speak for all of us when I say, 'Welcome to the French Quarter.' Please sit back, relax, and enjoy the show."

-Michael John Foster, director

Press Coverage
​
News Gazette
​Illinois Lyric Theatre: Beatrice and Benedict

Will Radio
U of I Lyric Theatre to Present 'Beatrice & Benedict'

Cast
BEATRICE- Emily Alcorn*, Amanda Kasem+
BENEDICT- Thom Baker+, Aaron Godwin*
​DON PEDRO- Joseph Trumbo
CLAUDIO- Nathan Buttran+, David Catalano*
HERO- Eleanora Benedict*, Marla Moore+
LEONATO- Charles Jordan
URSULE- Jennifer Wiggins, Rosemary Hamington (Cover)
​SOMARONE- Xiaoyi Zha
YOUNG BOY- Gideon Johnson
YOUNG GIRL- Anna Kinderman
CHORUS- Katherine Bokenkamp, Anna Burton, Gabriella Ciametti, Rosemary Hamington, Alecia Hurtado, Charles Jordan, Eric Mendoza, Mareesa Nosalik, Caitlin Richardson, Richard Schacht, Daniel Stelzer, John Brenton Strauss

*Performing November 5 and 7
+Performing November 6 and 8

Production Team
CONDUCTOR- Claire Levacher
STAGE DIRECTOR- Michael John Foster
SCENIC DESIGNER- Regina Garcia*
COSTUME DESIGNER- Pingwei Li
LIGHTING DESIGNER- Micheal Schoaf
SOUND DESIGNER- Tyler Knowles
PROPERTIES MASTER- Megan Dietrich
FIGHT DIRECTOR- Zev Steinberg
HAIR AND MAKEUP COORDINATORS- Aimee Beach, Samantha Jones
CHORUS MASTER- Michael Bagby
MUSICAL PREPARATION- Michael Bagby, Filippo Ciabatti, Jeeson Eun, Michael Tilley
STAGE MANAGER- Rick Mireles
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR- Brian Gonner
SUPERTITLES- Dennis Helmrich
ENGLISH ADAPTATION- Geoffrey Dunn

*United Scenic Artists, Local 829