Pensacola Opera
creating mainstage memories
By Allison McCrory / Images provided
Pensacola Opera is gearing up to wow Northwest Floridians with two very different mainstage productions — Verdi’s tragic “La Traviata” and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!”
The season opens with “La Traviata,” January 23 and 25, on the Saenger Theatre stage.
Written by Giuseppe Verdi in 1853, “traviata” is an Italian word that figuratively refers to a woman who has been rejected by society. Violetta is a Parisian courtesan whose love for young Alfredo is stymied by his father. Social hierarchies, the devotion of first love and tuberculosis merge in this timeless tragedy.
On March 13 and 15, another love story graces the Saenger stage when “Oklahoma!” brings humor, love triangles, a bit of American history, the challenges of frontier life and “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” in one of the most beloved musicals of the century. The musical was the first collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II.
NEW AND FAMILIAR FACES ON STAGE
Alex Hilkey, Pensacola Opera director of advancement, said patrons might recognize some of the “La Traviata” actors.
“Violetta is played by Bizhou Chang, who is a former studio artist and local favorite. She was last seen on our stage as Mimi in “La Boheme” in 2023. Andrew Morstein, playing Alfredo, was last seen with us in “Lucia di Lammermoor” in 2024. He also came back and did a concert with us, Opera After Dark: Bella Notte. To a sold-out audience, he sang a selection of Italian favorites that you would expect from a tenor. It was a huge success, and our Pensacola Opera crowd has come to love Andrew. Another former studio artist, Jack Chandler, will also be back on our mainstage as the Marchese.”
The leads for Pensacola Opera’s “Oklahoma!” performance are new to the Pensacola stage, while other players are familiar.
“In “Oklahoma!” we will have a husband-and-wife duo playing the leads, Jonathan and Cadie Bryan, both making their Pensacola Opera debut,” said Hilkey.
Former studio artists Rachel Fitzgerald, Ron Dukes and Micah Perry will be returning to the Pensacola stage, with Fitzgerald making her professional musical theater debut and Dukes portraying the brooding, antagonistic farmhand Jud Fry.
A host of other voices contribute to the magic that is a mainstage Pensacola Opera performance.
“Our current 2025-2026 Jan Miller Studio artists will round out the casts along with other new and returning singers. Supporting our mainstage artists is the Pensacola Opera chorus. These are local, volunteer community members who audition and rehearse all year long. This season, we have 42 members in our opera chorus,” said Hilkey.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
With abundant free outreach to the Gulf Coast, Pensacola Opera is bringing its art to various area communities and making its mainstage performances as accessible as possible.
“We have student dress rehearsals that provide an opportunity for schools, groups, teachers and families to attend our final dress rehearsal at a reduced ticket price. Our hope is to provide young people with access to the arts at an affordable ticket price and an earlier start time,” said Hilkey.
Those performances are the Wednesday before opening night at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for high school and college students and chaperones. Students in grades 1-8 can attend for $5. Tickets for student dress rehearsals are available over the phone with the opera office only and must be purchased in advance.
Patrons seeking to add more to their opera experience might want to consider a Meet the Artist reception, which includes mingling with the cast and crew and a full catered dinner following the opening night performance. The “La Traviata” reception is January 23, and the “Oklahoma!” reception is March 13.
Matinee-goers can add on a similar experience with a pre-show brunch (including unlimited mimosas) and show introduction at Jackson’s Steakhouse. These brunches are January 25 and March 15.
La Traviata”
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, January 23 13; 2 p.m., Sunday, January 25
Where: Saenger Theater, 118 S. Palafox St., Pensacola
Info: Visit pensacolasaenger.com for tickets
“Oklahoma!”
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 13; 2 p.m., Sunday, March 15
Where: Saenger Theater, 118 S. Palafox St., Pensacola
Info: Visit pensacolasaenger.com for tickets
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
What: Spotlight: A Studio Artist Showcase
When: 5 p.m., Friday, March 27
Info: Support the Pensacola Opera while enjoying an elegant evening of arias, duets, ensembles, dinner and opportunities to support the opera’s outreach programs.
