By NICK TODARO

Staff Writer

"An Evening of Opera and Musical Theater" started yesterday and will run at 7:30 p.m. every night this week. until Saturday in Howard Auditorium, Center for the Performing Arts.

Cherrie Sciro, coordinator of theatre and an associate professor of speech and theatre, said the show's run has been extended from three days to four to accommodate the cast.

"Three days really gives us enough time to let the family and friends of the cast see their loved ones," Sciro said. "But, if I had my way, we'd run this like any other production and spend two weeks on it."

Sciro stressed the evening was a chance to expose people to culture, which she refers to as almost a "spiritual or religious experience" for those performing the show.

"[We want] to show people a slice of culture and to try to express how important it is to the people who are taking part in putting it on," Sciro said. "This show is for everyone. It has opera and musical theater in Broadway style."

Sciro also noted that the production run has been extended to four evenings because of the show's previous success.

"We've sold out a lot on this show," Sciro said.

The production manager is Mark Guinn, an assistant professor of theatre.

Guinn is in charge of lighting and sound design for the evening.

Director David Wylie, an associate professor of music, and Laura Thompson, musical director and director of choral activities, also serve as vocal coaches for the production.

Wylie said the production gives the two parts of the performing arts department, music and theatre, a chance to rub off on one another.

"I hope Op-Shop will make the actors rub off on the singers and vice versa," Wylie said. "That happens in some cases, and it's great to watch. This run should be well-received. I have faith in our cast."

Some works with featured numbers include "La Boheme," "Ragtime," "The Marriage of Figaro," "The Producers," "Les Miserables" and "Die Fledermaus."

Tickets will be on sale in the box office and at the door until show time. Tickets are $8 for general admission, $7 for children and $4 for students with a Tech ID.