The legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table will come to life during the spring 2004 Laredo Community College Opera Workshop presentation of “Camelot.”
The revival performance of the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe Broadway hit will be showcased by an LCC student performance ensemble on April 14, 15 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., and again on April 18 at 6 p.m. Admission to the performances in the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center is free to students and the public.
LCC Voice Instructor Dr. Joseph Crabtree, is producing “Camelot” which is the biggest LCC Opera Workshop to date. Students from other college departments and community are assisting the production.
“Art students are creating highly decorative masks for some actors. The drama class is providing valuable technical assistance and the LCC Dance Theatre is participating in a choreographed dance,” said Crabtree.
“The LCC Opera Workshop greatly appreciates the valuable support we have received from our sister programs,” noted Crabtree.
“Camelot” is the setting for the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, a story based on love, chivalry and justice.
Crabtree recalled that “Camelot” was the first theater production he saw as a child, and this is what motivated him to pursue a career as a professional vocalist.
“The opportunity to see ‘Camelot’ in the theater was a grand experience that led me to find my passion for singing,” said Crabtree.
The cast of LCC actors includes Andrew Miller as King Arthur, Valerie Cortinas as Lady Guenevere, Kelly Hein as Lancelot du loc, Mike Guzman as Mordred, Paul de la Peña as Pelinore, Gil Martinez as Merlyn, Victor Rosales as Sir Dinidan, Stephen Miller as Sir Lionel, and Joey Solis as Sir Sagramore.
The role of Morgan le Fey will be played on alternating days by Jenny Gribble and Stephanie Solis. The role of Nimue will also be alternated by Cristina Guajardo and Claudia Chapa.
Other cast members include Gil Martinez as Dap, Tacee Walters as Lady Catheryn, Alecia Coronado as Lady Sybil and Alex Lopez as Tom.
The chorus consists of Titi Cabrera, Karla Ibarra, Michelle Perez, Jessica Casarez, Jenny Gribble, Stephanie Solis, Christina Guajardo, Claudia Chapa, Tanyn Walters, Taryn Walters, Victor Rosales, Stephen Miller, Joey Solis, Tacee Walters, Alecia Coronado, Paul de la Pena.
The dancers include Victoria Camacho, Sarai Araiza, Priscilla Aguilar, Brenda Barajas, Blanca Bustos, Cassy Cabello, Melissa Cabello, Daisy Gamboa, Rosa E. Garza, Veronica Lugo, Lori Martinez, Lucia Martinez, Leiza Nochebuena, Linda Lee Ramon, Cecilia E. Rodriguez, Cristina Rodriguez and Barbara Zurita.
Speech/Drama Instructor Gil Martinez is the director. Crabtree is the music director. Music/Dance Department Chair/Dance Instructor Danuta U. Gazdyszyn is the choreographer. Zane Richter is the technical director. Stage director is Nelly Ruiz de Chavez. Costumes are by Peggy Phelps and Theresa Walters. The mask construction director is Art Instructor Dan McKinnis. Jacob Walters is in charge of spotlights.
“Camelot” was Lerner and Loewe’s last Broadway hit, which opened at the Majestic Theatre on December 3, 1960 and ran for 873 performances. In many minds, it will always be linked with the presidency of John F. Kennedy, whose brief time in the White House has been compared with and likened to “Camelot.” The movie version was released in 1967. Loewe suffered a heart attack in 1958 and after “Camelot” went into retirement. Lerner died June 14, 1986. Loewe died February 14, 1988.
For more information about the Opera Workshop production, contact the LCC Music and Dance Department by calling 721-5330. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
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