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This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
S E RV I N G T H E F I RS T J U D I C I A L C I RC U I T Vol. 26, No. 3
January 21, 2026
SummationWeekly.com
1 Section, 8 Pages
Section A, Page 1
PENSACOLA OPERA PRESENTS 43RD SEASON PRODUCTIONS VERDI’S LA TRAVIATA AND RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S OKLAHOMA! COME TO THE SAENGER
By Alex Hilkey
P
ensacola Opera will open its 43rd Season with Verdi’s La traviata on January 23 and 25, and close with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! on March 13 and 15 at the historic Pensacola Saenger Theatre. Pensacola Opera proudly opens its 43rd season with Giuseppie Verdi’s La traviata on January 23 and 25 at the Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola. This beautiful production, conducted by Music Director, Cody Martin, and directed by Rebecca Herman from Austin, TX, brings Verdi’s heartbreakingly beautiful score to life with a star-studded cast, lavish sets and dazzling costumes that transport audiences to the elegant world of 19th-century Paris. "Verdi’s La traviata opens our mainstage season, inviting audiences to discover why it remains one of the most celebrated operas of all time,” Pensacola Opera General Director Chandra McKern said. “The combination of Verdi's brilliant music being performed by incredible artists while telling a truly compelling story will thrill opera newbies and longtime fans alike. Verdi's glorious music and Violetta's moving demise make La traviata one of grand opera's most compelling experiences.” Widely regarded as one of the greatest operas ever written, La traviata follows the love story of Violetta, one of the most beautiful and desired courtesans in all of Paris, and Alfredo, a romantic countryboy who lacks the polish and sophistication of Parisian society. When Alfredo’s father, Giorgio Germont, forbids the relationship, Violetta waits for Alfredo to return to her so they can be together again. Fighting tuberculosis, Violetta eventually succumbs to her illness and uses her final breaths to declare
her undying love for Alfredo, her lover she never got to have. The passionate Violetta is played by Pensacola Opera favorite Bizhou Chang–last seen as Mimì in our 40th Season production of La bohème– and her lover Alfredo, portrayed by tenor Andrew Morstein, last seen on our stage in Lucia di Lammermoor in 2024. Chang is a Jan Miller Studio Artist alum and has performed with Pensacola Opera on the mainstage and in educational and community programming for over six years. Morstein was new to the company in 2024, and immediately became a crowd-favorite. He came back to perform in the cabaret crossover series, Opera After Dark, to a sold out audience. Featuring the infamous aria Sempre Libera, La traviata tells a beautiful but heartbreaking story of love, sacrifice and societal constraints that continue to resonate with audiences around the world. The production features a talented cast of new and returning singers, including baritone Dennis Jesse as Giorgio Germont; Jan Miller Studio Artist alum Jack Chandler as the Marchese; J. Taylor Hightower, making his company debut as Dr. Grenvil; and current Jan Miller Studio Artists Christine Boddicker as Flora, Jason Edelstein as Barone Douphol, Xiaojie Ji as Gastone de Letorières and Denique Isaac as Annina. “As you watch our show, I invite you to be swept away by the beauty of Verdi’s soaring melodies and the effervescent parties, but most importantly, to see the humanity in the woman at the center of it all: her courage, her sacrifice and her fierce, fleeting embrace of life,” Pensacola Opera Stage Director Rebecca Herman said. Pensacola Opera’s La traviata features beautiful set designs by Peter Dean Beck (courtesy of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera), vibrant
costumes by Glenn Avery Breed at Wardrobe Witchery, wigs and makeup by Brittany Rappise at Makeup Wigstress and dynamic lighting by Connie Smith. The production is led by a talented team, including conductor Cody Martin, director Rebecca Herman, production stage manager Alayna Powell, and assistant stage manager Nadine Andrews. Our principal cast will join an amazing group of volunteer singers known as the Pensacola Opera Chorus. Led by Cody Martin, the Opera Chorus acts as the ensemble in the production and are essential in bringing these stories to life. This season also continues our long-standing relationship with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, who brings the music to life for us from the orchestra pit for each production and dancers from Ballet Pensacola. La traviata promises a grand opera experience that will fill your heart, break it and fill it again with a beautiful score and a timeless story of tragedy and romance. Performances of La traviata will be held on Friday, January 23 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, January 25 at 2 pm at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre. Pensacola Opera will close its mainstage season with one of the most influential pieces of the American musical repertoire— Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! on March 13 and 15 at the historic Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola. “We close the season with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! in memory of Allan Benton," McKern said. "This timeless masterpiece brings to life a heartwarming and dramatic tale set in the sweeping plains of the Oklahoma Territory. Packed with unforgettable songs and dynamic characters, Oklahoma! is a must-see for theater lovers of all
ages, and promises a delightful and unforgettable theatrical experience,” McKern said. With multiple whistle-worthy musical numbers, beloved characters and a vibrant set, this American feel-good classic is sure to fill seats and hearts. Oklahoma! is conducted by Principal Guest Conductor Jerome Shannon and directed by Artistic Director Corey McKern. “As far as musicals go, it doesn’t get much more operatic than Rodgers’s vocal writing, paired with Hammerstein’s unmatched ability to weave a story through both dialogue and song," Pensacola Opera Music Director Cody Martin said. "Our cast of incredible actors is headlined by real-life couple Cadie and Jonathan Bryan as Laurey and Curly, making their debuts with us,” Pensacola Opera Music Director Cody Martin said. Oklahoma! allows audiences to dance back in time with a heartwarming story that follows the blossoming love story between farm girl Laurey and charming cowboy Curly as they navigate rival suitors and the challenges of frontier life. With unforgettable songs like Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin, People Will Say We’re in Love, the lively Kansas City, and of course, Oklahoma!—this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic captures the heartwarming spirit of a community on the brink of change. The production features a talented cast with real-life couple Jonathan Bryan and Cadie J. Bryan– both making their company debut–as Curly and Laurey. Several Jan Miller Studio Artist alum return including soprano Rachel Fitzgerald as Ado Annie Carnes, tenor Micah Perry as Will Parker and bass Ron Dukes as Jud Fry. Timothy Fitz-Gerald is making his company debut as Ali Hakin, and crowd-favorites Emily Pulley and Joe Tomko star as Aunt Eller and Andrew Carnes. Current
Jan Miller Studio Artists and Pensacola Opera Chorus round out the cast with Denique Isaac as Gertie, Jason Edelstein as Ike, Greg Watson as Cord Elam, Xiaojie Ji as Fred, Jordan Svendsen as Slim, Abigail Mallory as Ellen, Christine Boddicker as Kate and Hannah Kivisalu as Vivian. Oklahoma! will truly be a celebration of the performing musical arts in our community. Our principal cast is met on stage with an amazing group of volunteer singers known as the Pensacola Opera Chorus. Led by Cody Martin, the Opera Chorus acts as the ensemble in the production and are essential in bringing these stories to life. The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra joins us in the pit, led by Jerome Shannon. Pensacola Opera’s Oklahoma! will be brought to life with a visuallystunning set, including set designs by Stephen C. Kemp and costumes by Glenn Avery Breed at Wardrobe Witchery. The production is led by a talented creative team including lighting designer Connie Smith, production stage manager Nadine Andrews and hair and makeup designer Brittany Rappise from Makeup Wigstress. Performances of Oklahoma! will be held Friday, March 13 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, March 15 at 2 pm. "Our 43rd anniversary promises to be one of our most unforgettable seasons, boasting extraordinary artistry with two timeless, emotionally powerful productions," McKern said. Single tickets start at $31, and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at (850) 433-6737 or in-person at the Pensacola Opera Center located at 75 S. Tarragona St. in downtown Pensacola. Tickets can also be purchased through the Saenger Theatre Box Office. For more information on Pensacola Opera’s 43rd season productions and other upcoming events, visit pensacolaopera.com. ■
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