Otterbein Opera Theatre to Present Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi”

Posted Oct 19, 2018

Westerville, OH—Otterbein Opera Theatre, under the direction of Karen Eckenroth, will present Puccini’s one-act comedy “Gianni Schicchi” from Nov. 2-4 in Riley Auditorium at the Battelle Fine Arts Center, 170 W. Park Street. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2 and 3, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4. Tickets are $5 for students, $8 for faculty, staff and seniors, and $10 general admission. Tickets may be purchased at the door prior to each performance or online at https://www.otterbein.edu/opera. In “Gianni Schicchi,” Old Buoso Donati has died and his relatives are distraught that he has bequeathed all of his possessions to the friars of Santa Reparata, leaving them penniless. They call on Gianni Schicchi to help them find an answer to their dilemma. Unfortunately for them, Schicchi has his own agenda of how Buoso’s wealth should be distributed. Singing the title role of Gianni Schicchi is senior performance major Geoffrey Gear. Featured guest artist Benjamin Bunsold will sing the role of Rinnucio. Otterbein alumna Amanda Ackman also joins the cast in the role of Nella. Rounding out the cast are Samantha McGonigal (Schicchi’s daughter Lauretta), Carrie Robb (Zita), Matt Cross (Simone), Chance Landers (Gherardo), Tait Palm (Betto), Cali Ebert (La Ciesca), Daniel Hilderbrand (Marco), Nikki Piskac (Gherardino), Alec Arnett (Dr. Spinellocio/Amatio the Lawyer), Jesse Heetland (Pinnelino), and Kevin Diaz (the “late” Buoso Donati).  More information about the Otterbein University Department of Music and its concert schedule can be found at https://www.otterbein.edu/music. For more information about this event, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/515283998946751/.