The Central Methodist University opera troupe will present its second show of the year on Saturday, April 5, performing Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury. The 7 p.m. show will be held in Linn Memorial United Methodist Church and be free to the public.
Performed in English and accompanied by supertitles, the one-act comic opera will be conducted and directed by Dr. Jonathan Ray, associate professor of music. Professors Zachary Kierstead and Lonna Wilke will be part of the production as collaborative pianist and lighting design, respectively.
The cast for the show includes Gram Coalier as The Learned Judge; Danny Eckhoff as Edwin, the Plaintiff; Tyler Hershey as Alexander, the Defendant; Cecilia Rancatore as Counsel for the Plaintiff; Owen Flores as Usher; Harmony Andrews as Foreman of the Jury; and Colleen Allen and Elizabeth Boyd as the Groomsmaids.
The Jury will be made up by Elizabeth Berry, Madisyn Conway, Emeline DeLapp, Rachel Fisher, Samantha Maddux, Mariah Nichols, Arielle Prince, Paul Reinert, and Lauren Shields.
“At only 40 minutes in length, [Trial by Jury] is a great introduction to anyone new to the art form,” Ray stated. “It will be a barrel of laughs for everyone.”