Opera Ithaca Archive
Welcome to the Opera Ithaca archive! Browse through our producing history below to see video, photos, cast and production team information from all our productions starting with our inaugural 2014/2015 season.
Established 2014
THE TURN OF THE SCREW
Music by Benjamin Britten
Libretto by Myfanwy Piper
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Hangar Theatre
April 19 & 20, 2024
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Conducted by Kristin Ditlow
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Directed by Susannah Berryman
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Lighting Designer Scott Holdredge
Production Manager Kathryn Sheaffer
Scenic Designer/Technical Director Norm Johnson
Projections Designer & Operator Stephen St. Frances Decky
Stage Manager Katrina Ali
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CAST
Lynn Craver GOVERNESS
Gabriel Rodriguez PETER QUINT
Celeste Morales MRS. GROSE
Rachel Blaustein MISS. JESSEL
Wyatt McDaniel MILES
Emma Commisso FLORA
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BLUEBEARD'S CASTLE
By Bela Bartok
New English Translation by Zachary James
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Community School of Music and Arts, Ithaca
October 18th & 19th 2014
Civic Morning Musicals, Syracuse
October 15th 2014 Concert Version
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Conducted by Jonathan Rose
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Directed, Choreographed and Designed
by Tucker Davis
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Lighting Designer Evan Hawkins
Production Manager Kathryn Sheaffer
Stage Manager John Fortunato
Pre Performance Lectures by
Brian DeMaris and Sara Haefeli
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CAST
Zachary James BLUEBEARD
Megan Nielson JUDITH
Alta Miller WIFE
Ayla Naghsh WIFE
Samantha Sprague WIFE
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IL SOGNO
By Kristin Hevner
Based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
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Lehman Alternative Community School
March 28th & 29th 2015
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Conducted by Richard Montgomery
Directed by Zachary James
Scenic Designer Riw Rakkulchon
Costume Designer Ann Grigo
Lighting Designer Evan Hawkins
ORCHESTRA
Elizabeth Shuhan FLUTE
Aaron Buck VIOLIN
HaeSoo Cheon VIOLIN
Max Buckholtz VIOLA
Elisa Evett CELLO
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CAST
Deborah Montgomery-Cove HIPPOLYTA
Mark A. B. Lawrence THESEUS
Lynn Craver HERMIA
Ivy Walz HELENA
Michael Nyby DEMETRIUS
Eric Flyte LYSANDER
Ryan Kennedy PUCK
Caitlin Mathes TITANIA
Steven Still OBERON
Tucker Davis BOTTOM
Josi Petersen RAGNATELLA
Kate Clemons FIORDIPISELLO
Abigail Doening FALENA
Sarah Welden PETTIROSSO
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CHORUS
Julie Allison
Jacob Cordie
Fred Diengott
Kendra Domotor
Chan Wei En
Nathan Haltiwanger
San Kwan
Rachel Ozols
Ariana Warren
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DON GIOVANNI
By W. A. Mozart
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Community School of Music and Arts
December 5th & 6th 2015
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R.B. Schlather DIRECTOR
Richard Montgomery CONDUCTOR
Tucker Davis CHOREOGRAPHER
Amy Brinkman-Davis CHORUS MASTER
JAX Messenger LIGHTING DESIGNER
Evan Hawkins ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGNER
Nicholas Carbonaro HAIR&MAKE-UP DESIGNER
Kelsey Dunne STAGE MANAGER
Phoebe Sullivan-Bing ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Danica Kelley ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
STARRING:
Garrett Obrycki DON GIOVANNI
​Donata Cucinotta DONNA ELVIRA
Megan Nielson DONNA ANNA
Brandon Snook DON OTTAVIO
​David Neal LEPORELLO
Ashley Carver ZERLINA
Nathan Haltiwanger MASETTO
Zachary James IL COMMENDATORE
CHORUS:
Eric Flyte
Jacob Cordie
Stephen Tzianabos
Geoff Peterson
D’Quan Tyson
Chris Hauser
Kendra Domotor
Ann-Marie Iacoviello
Emma McDermitt – Wise
Mattina Keith
Alyce Daubenspeck
Ellen Jackson
ORCHESTRA:
Elizabeth Shuhan FLUTE
Melissa DiMarinis OBOE
Michael Galvan CLARINET
Cynthia Becker BASSOON
Robert Oldroyd HORN
Sarah Cummings VIOLIN
Aaron Buck VIOLIN
Max Buckholtz VIOLA
Zachary Sweet CELLO
Desmond Bratton BASS
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DIE FLEDERMAUS
By J. Strauss
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Unitarian Universalist Church
December 31st 2015
Richard Montgomery DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR
STARRING:
Michael Nyby as Dr. Falke
Eric Flyte as Alfred
Ryan Kennedy as Prince Orlofsky
Lynn Craver Rosalinda
Mark A.B. Lawrence as Dr. Blind
Kate Clemons as Sally
Kendra Domotor as Adele
Carl Johengen as Eisenstein
Geoff Petersen as Frank
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BILLY BLYTHE
World Premiere
By Bonnie Montgomery
​Libretto by Brittany Barber
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April 8th, 9th & 10th 2016
The Kitchen Theatre
Director Norm Johnson
Music Director Richard Montgomery
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Starring
Garrett Obrycki as Billy Blythe
Dawn Pierce as Virginia Clinton
Erik Angerhofer as Roger Clinton
​David Neal as Grandpa
Nick Mras as Roger Jr.
Michael Roddy as Gabe Crawford
Dan Taylor as James
Nathan Haltiwanger as Early
Eric Flyte as Ed
Kate Clemons as Margie Mitchell
Alyce Daubenspeck as Dixie Seba
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Billy Blythe is an American folk opera about Bill Clinton's youth in Arkansas. The work is a snapshot of Clinton's life in 1959. His relationship with his family and several events reveal the inspiration, character, and vulnerability that resound throughout his life.
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MASQUERADE
Community School of Music and Arts
October 6th, 2016
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DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Zachary James
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ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Ellen Jackson
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MUSIC DIRECTORS
Richard Montgomery
Blaise Bryski
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HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST
Dorothy Petersen
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CAST
Megan Nielson
Amanda Zory
Dawn Pierce
Lynn Craver
Caitlin Mathes
Josi Petersen
Sarah Welden
Carli Mazich-Addice
Arian Warren
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THUMBPRINT
By Kamala Sankaram & Susan Yankowitz
December 2nd, 3rd & 4th 2016
The Hangar Theatre
Susannah Berryman DIRECTOR
Mary Corsaro CHOREOGRAPHER
Richard Montgomery CONDUCTOR
Anna Grigo COSTUME DESIGNER
Evan Hawkins LIGHTING DESIGNER
Olivia Ohlsten STAGE MANAGER
Smitha Johnson MUKHTAR MAI
Yamuna Meleth ANNU
Evangelia Kingsley MOTHER
John-Andrew Fernandez FAIZ
Suchan Kim FATHER
Christian Henry SHAKUR
​Jake Stamatis IMAM
Richard Montgomery PIANO
Brian Adler PERCUSSION
Liz Shuhan FLUTE
Linda Case VIOLIN
Max Buckholtz VIOLA
​Christian Chesanak BASS
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THE ABDUCTION
FROM THE SERAGLIO
By W.A. Mozart
December 31st 2016
The Kitchen Theatre
Zachary James DIRECTOR/DESIGNER
Ellen Jackson DIRECTOR
Richard Montgomery CONDUCTOR
Olivia Ohlsten STAGE MANAGER
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Elena Galvan CONSTANZE
Lynn Craver BLONDE
Jonathan Blalock BELMONTE
Daniel Bates PEDRILLO
Zachary James OSMIN
Godfrey Simmons SELIM
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CINDERELLA
By G. Rossini
April 12th through 14th 2017
The Hangar Theatre
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Conductor Richard Montgomery
Director Norm Johnson
Choreographer Tucker Davis
Stage Manager Becca Pickett
Scenic Designer Marthe Hoffmann
Lighting Designer Evan Hawkins
Hair and Makeup Designer Dorothy Petersen
Assistant Director/Supertitles Ellen Jackson
Wardrobe Supervisor Liz Kitney
Costumes from TDF Costume Collection NYC
Cinderella Cast
May 12th 8pm & May 14th 2pm
Caitlin Mathes CINDERELLA
Brandon Snook PRINCE RAMIRO
SeungHyeon Baek DANDINI
Adelmo Guidarelli DON MAGNIFICO
Marc Webster ALIDORO
Lynn Craver CLORINDA
Dana Kinney TISBE
Paige Anderson CINDERELLA'S MOTHER
Cinderella Dance Ensemble
Peter Garza
Niara Hardister
Ezgi Irmakkesen
Dharon Jones
Ayla Naghsh
Jeremiah Porter
Joshua Regan
Keara Soloway
Cinderella Chorus
Benno Ressa
Mike Galvin
Christopher Hauser
Holden Turner
Patrick Starke
Drew Carr
Seamus Buxton
Lucas Hickman
Cinderella Orchestra
Shade Zajac CELLO
Sarah Chandler CLARINET
Robbie Oldroyd FRENCH HORN
Richard Montgomery PIANO
Trevor Eichhorn SNARE DRUM
Cinderella JR Cast
May 13th 11am
Ellen Jackson* DIRECTOR
Ariana Warren* CINDERELLA
Benno Ressa THE PRINCE
Josi Petersen* GODMOTHER
Sarah Welden* CLORINDA
Carli Mazich-Addice* TISBE
*OI Apprentice Artist
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PAGLIACCI
By R. Leoncavallo
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September 23rd, 28th, 29th, 30th
September 24 3:30pm
Circus Culture
September 25th
The Slipper Room NYC
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Conductor Thomas Bagwell
Director Zachary James
Scenic & Costume Design​ Zachary James
Hair & Makeup Design Dotty Petersen
Lighting Designer Ron Ziomek
Associate Conductor
Chorus Master & Pianist​ Zeek Smith
Supertitles​ Christopher Hauser
Creative Consultant Amy Cohen
Assistant Director Ellen Jackson
Stage Manager​ Michelle Blau
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Starring
James Chamberlain CANIO
Megan Nielson NEDDA
SeungHyeon Baek TONIO
Erik Angerhofer SILVIO
Mark A. B. Lawrence BEPPE
Sean Blue CIRCUS ARTIST
Copper Santiago CIRCUS ARTIST
​Kevin Flanagan CIRCUS ARTIST
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THE PIRATES
OF PENZANCE
Gilbert & Sullivan
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December 30th 2017
The Smith Opera House, Geneva, NY
December 31st 2017 New Year's Eve Gala
The Hangar Theatre, Ithaca, NY
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Sponsored by Schickel Construction
Catering Sponsored by Serendipity Catering
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Conductor Richard Montgomery
Director Zachary James
Assistant Director Ellen Jackson
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In loving memory of Bill Fabris
​Starring
Gillian Cotter EDITH
Virginia Hesse MABEL
Zachary James PIRATE KING
Kathleen Maloney ISABEL
Carli Mazich-Addice KATE
Curt Olds MAJOR GENERAL
David Neal SARGEANT OF POLICE
Melissa Parks RUTH
Benno Ressa SAMUEL
Johnathan Riesen FREDRIC
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BULLY PULPIT
By Kristin Hevner & Royce Vavrek
World Premiere: Metropolis Opera Project, NYC 2010
World Premiere Commissioned by Zachary James
Directed and Produced by Ellen Jackson
Produced with the generous support of
Stacia Zabusky and Donald Spector
and Pinnisi and Anderson Law Firm
January 11, 2018
THE CHERRY ARTSPACE
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC​
​BULLY Benno Ressa*
GEORGE W. BUSH/FIDEL CASTRO Natasha Bratkovski
ELLEN DEGENERES/ADOLPH HITLER Haley Evanoski*
SADDAM HUSSEIN Kathleen Maloney*
RICHARD NIXON/MOTHER TERESA Carli Mazich-Addice*
ANDREW JACKSON/OPRAH WINFREY Rachel Silverstein*
ROSIE O'DONNELL/MARGARET THATCHER Sarah Welden*
*Opera Ithaca Apprentice Artist
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TOSCA
By Giacomo Puccini
Semi-Staged Concert Version
February 16th 2018
Pre-Show Talk 6:30pm
Post-Show "Divalogue"
​Community School of Music & Arts, Ithaca
February 18th 2018
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn
NYC presentation in collaboration with Metropolis Opera Project
Special thanks to the
Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts
and Mimi's Attic
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Conducted by Gordon Schermer
Directed by Ellen Jackson
Pre-Show Talk: Antonio DiRenzo
Divalogue Host: Lee Rayburn
Floria Tosca: Megan Nielson
Cavaradossi: Paolo Buffagni
Baron Scarpia: Michael Nyby
Angelotti: Jake Stamatis
Sacristan: Benno Ressa
Spoletta: Andrew Hudson-Sabens
​Sciarrone: Nathan Murphy
Shepard Boy: Rachel Silverstein
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CARMEN
By G. Bizet
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March 9th through 11th 2018
The Hangar Theatre
CARMENCITA
Theatre for All Ages Adaptation
Adapted, Directed and Produced By Ellen Jackson
Starring Opera Ithaca Apprentice Artists
March 10th
10am & 12pm
The Hangar Theatre
CARMEN CAST
Dawn Pierce CARMEN
Jose Heredia DON JOSE
Christine Lyons MICAELA
Derrell Acon ESCAMILLO
Lynn Craver FRASQUITA
Dana Kinney MERCEDES
Jake Stamatis MORALES
Benno Ressa DANCAIRE
Andrew Hudson-Sabens REMANDADO
Conducted by Richard Montgomery
Production by Adrianna Desier-Durantt and Andrew Boyce​
Featuring lighting by Seth Reiser
Associate Designer Anna Grigo
Assistant Director & Associate Producer Ellen Jackson
Supertitles sponsored by Percy Browning
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SONG FROM THE UPROAR
By Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek
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May 5th thru 10th 2018
The Cherry Artspace
SONG FROM THE UPROAR CAST
Kara Cornell ISABELLE EBERHARDT
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With
Sarah Welden
Josi Petersen
Christopher Hauser
Rachel Silverstein
Joshua Dykes
Conducted by Keith Chambers
Production by Joshua Borths
Stage Manager Jane Whiting
Assistant Director & Associate Producer Ellen Jackson
Sponsored by Donald Spector and Stacia E. Zabusky
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