Students, faculty and staff are going to hear about the best 1930s gossip in Southeastern Louisiana University Opera/Music Theatre Workshop’s newest performance “Street Scene: An American Opera in Two Acts.”

The performance will run from Feb. 2-5 and will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Pottle Music Building Auditorium. General admission will be available at the door with tickets costing $12 for seniors, staff and alumni and $15 for adults. Admission is free for students with their campus ID.

The opera’s original composer, Kurt Weill, based this work off of Elmer Rice’s award-winning play. Set in New York City during the Great Depression, “Street Scene” was created through Weill’s vision of an American opera after fleeing Germany in the 1930s.

In his notes of the original cast recording, Weill has said that “Street Scene” has a niche of its own out of the rest of Weill’s repertoire.

“Street Scene” is a fascinating story about many characters of different ethnicities that have their own stories and struggle with themselves as well as with one another. This opera shines light on issues connected to 1930s New York City while still skillfully combining love, lies, sadness, anger and heartbreaking tragedy.

Third time Southeastern Opera/Music Theatre Workshop Director Rachel M. Harris is bringing her own vision to the stage as the director of this production.

Her ensemble cast includes leading actors Sarah Bertrand as Ann Maurrant, Grady Sandidge as Frank Maurrant, Kayla Louis as Rose Maurrant and Joshua Williams as Sam Kaplan.

Along with the students and staff members performing in the opera, three Southeastern alumni are bringing their talents to the stage as well to add to the production.

The director of the Opera/Music Theatre Workshop, Charles Effler, has been carefully instructing his cast and crew over the 2010 winter break to make sure that this production will dazzle the Southeastern audience.  

“This is one of the earliest performances we have ever had,” said Effler. “Only taking 10 days off for Christmas break, we are working very fast and very hard to make this performance a great success.”

“Street Scene’s” production team has put forth immense effort and dedication into making their performances a success, including more than 30 cast members and over 20 people in the orchestra and production staff.

“After being inspired by the music of this opera, being able to put on this performance means so much to everyone involved because we get to convey the true beauty of it to everyone else,” said Effler.