Newtown Student In Lead For WCSU’s ‘Street Scene’

DANBURY — The Western Connecticut State University Opera Ensemble will present composer Kurt Weill’s acclaimed composition Street Scene on Friday and Saturday, April 16-17. Curtain will be 8 pm each night in WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, within White Hall, 181 White Street.

Tickets will be $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and children under the age of 12, and $5 for students who attend with school groups.

 Directed by WestConn Professor of Music Dr Margaret Astrup, Street Scene will feature many recognizable songs performed by the university’s talented opera students, including “I Got a Marble and a Star,” “Somehow I Never Could Believe,” “Wrapped in a Ribbon and Tied in a Bow,” “Lonely House,” “Wouldn’t You Like to Be on Broadway?” “What Good Would the Moon Be?” “Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed,” and “A Boy Like You.”

Michael Trnik of Newtown has been cast in one of the lead roles, Frank Maurrant.

Elmer Rice’s 1929 Pulitzer Prize-winning book Street Scene provided the inspiration for a 1947 operatic adaptation of the story, featuring lyrics by poet Langston Hughes and music by the famed composer Kurt Weill. Described as a Broadway opera, Street Scene opened in January 1947 at the Adelphi Theatre and ran for 148 performances.

For more information call the WestConn Music Department at 837-8350 or the WCSU Office of Public Relations at 837-8486.