Opera Theater Closes Out Season with 'Don Giovanni'

REDLANDS >> The Redlands Opera Theater is warming up to perform its next and final production of the 2015-2016 season with "Don Giovanni," a piece about the infamous philanderer Don Juan, performed entirely in Italian with English supertitles. "Don Giovanni," written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is directed by Christina Jensen and employs talents from across the Inland Empire, with Don Giovanni played by Adrian Rosales and Christina Harrell and Ariel Pisturino as Donna Elvira. This version of the play, however, comes with a twist - it takes place in post-World War II during the 1940s, taking the form of a musical radio show. Four performances spanning two weekends will be available for audiences: April 23, 24, 29 and 30. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. at The First Congregational Church of Redlands in Kimberly Hall. Senior, student and military discounts are offered at $5 off the general price of $25. Full cast includes: • Christina Jensen as director • Jessica Bondy as assistant director and stage manager • Ed Yarnelle as pianist • Adrian Rosales as Don Giovanni • Jay Stephenson as Leporello • Christina Harrell & Ariel Pisturino as Donna Elvira • Cynthia Leigh & Christa Stevens (Redlands Opera Theatre co-founder) as Donna Anna • Kyle Patterson as Don Ottavio • Megan Griffiths & Christina Slusarczyk • David Avshalomov as Il Commendatore • Brian Jensen as Masetto The goal of the Redlands Opera Theater is to serve the Inland Empire with quality pieces, educate audiences through cultural renditions of beloved plays, operas and musicals and provide the general public with activities and opportunities that will expand their understanding of the world of theater. Established by University of Redlands alumnae Tiana Dye and Christa Stevens in 2012, it has arguably served the residents of the Inland Empire well with professional-grade material. In the past year, the Redlands Opera Theater has performed several different pieces for widespread audiences. Their fourth annual gala, "Soiree at the Gables," kicked off their "Opera at the Gables" Concert Series in September, featuring singers, a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception, silent auction, opportunity drawing and previews of upcoming performances. In November, the performers once again took the stage with Charles Gounod’s "Faust," a grand opera about a German scholar who sells his soul to the devil for an elixir of youth to pursue the affections of the beautiful Marguerite. Faust was portrayed by Nadav Hart and Michael Cruz, with Adrian Rosales as Mephistopheles and Christa Stevens and Christina Harrell as Marguerite. Christina Jensen directed. The New Year began with "Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian Carlo Menotti in January. This family friendly musical once again put Christina Jensen at the helm as director and featured young Caelan Carter as Amahl. Christa Stevens and Samantha Merevick played his mother. Most recently, in February, the Redlands Opera Theatre continued its "Opera at the Gables" Concert Series with "Songs of the Eventide: A Concert of Night-Themed Music" at the Mission Gables Bowl House. Christa Stevens and Ariel Pisturino returned singing the part of soprano, along with Karen Hogle Brown, with Marco Antonio Lozano as tenor and E. Scott Levin singing baritone. Ed Yarnelle again accompanied on the piano. Along with performances, the Redlands Opera Theatre also emphasizes education and outreach to the community. In February, the theater collaborated with the Riverside Dickens Festival, and in the past two years, has partnered with Chorale Bel Canto for "Great Opera Choruses," Southland Symphony Orchestra for "A Trip to the Opera" and Orange County Symphony for "An Evening at the Opera." The theater also offers its children’s workshop "Be an Opera Singer for a Day!" and is currently booking workshops for this year. From 2013 to 2015, they have presented the workshops at Mentone Elementary School, Redlands South Head Start, Redlands East Valley High School and Moreno Valley College, to name a few. If interested in attending a performance of "Don Giovanni," tickets are available on BrownPaperTickets.com. To book a children’s workshop, contact the Redlands Opera Theatre at info@redlandsoperatheatre.com, or (909) 653-5677.