Opera Company of the Highlands to present ‘Show Boat-In Concert'

New Windsor —Claudia Cummings, Artistic Director of the Opera Company of the Highlands, Inc., announces an October opera benefit weekend presentation of Jerome Kerns and Oscar Hammerstein II’s “Show Boat—In Concert!” The three shows, celebrating the company’s first year of operation, will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon Oct. 7 at The Ritz Theatre in downtown Newburgh ($25); 7 p.m. on Saturday evening on the River Rose at the Newburgh waterfront for a benefit dinner cruise and show ($75); and Sunday afternoon, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m, at The Pavilion Theatre at The Lycian Centre in Sugar Loaf ($25). “Show Boat—The Concert!” will feature all of the great songs of the original 1927 American musical and showcase some of the opera company’s rising local opera stars including: Joanna McIntire (Magnolia); Julie Ziavras (Julie); Michael Torpey (Ravenal); Brenda Vandervort (Queenie); and Elex Vann (Joe.) Radio talk show host John Moultrie will join the cast as the narrator. “We are proud to present a legendary show in concert version and to be able to bring our own highly trained and talented singers to some of the finest music ever composed for American musical theatre,” said Cummings. “Show Boat,” according to Cummings, is one of the earliest “crossover” theatre pieces that brought together operatically trained voices, Florenz Ziegfeld’s production genius, and masterly songwriting to tell a very American story. “Like some of the very best American classic musicals, its songs are easily recognized even by those who have never seen the show,” she added. As part of a special kick-off event prior to the first Saturday performance at The Ritz Theatre lobby, local writer and musical theatre critic Chris Farlekas will present an historical talk about “Show Boat’s” many productions and controversies over the years. The talk will begin prior to the 2 p.m. curtain and is part of that day’s ticket price. Advance reservations are required for the Saturday evening dinner cruise and show on the River Rose. Call 913-7094 for reservations.