What an Amazing Opening Night

Thank you, Columbus, for such an amazing opening night!

We are thrilled that you enjoyed the show as much as you did and we are so grateful to this AMAZING cast and crew as they are filling the Lincoln Theatre with so much joy, humor, amazing music, and talent! We have one more opportunity for you to see HMS Pinafore, Sunday, June 8 @ 3 PM and then two opportunities to see our version of Naughty Marietta. You will love it all, we promise!

Please enjoy some images taken opening night courtesy of Gabe Simms Photography.

Wallis Lucas as Marietta

Introducing Wallis Lucas as Marietta in Naughty Marietta.

A frequent "audience favorite (onStage Pittsburgh)", lauded for her versatility and commitment to performance building, soprano Wallis Lucas has quickly proven herself to be a young artist to watch.

Wallis recently completed an Advanced Studies certificate at Carnegie Mellon University, where she worked with voice, orchestra, and composition faculty to workshop and premiere new chamber and orchestral pieces. In the 2024-2025 season, Wallis reprised her role as Morgana in Alcina, as well as made her mainstage and touring debuts with Pittsburgh Festival Opera (Adriana Lecouvreur, Hansel and Gretel). Other recent roles include Albina (La donna del lago), Lucy (The Telephone), Elle (La voix humaine), Caio Silio (Ottone in villa), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro). This summer, she will be joining Opera Project Columbus for their productions of Naughty Marietta and H.M.S. Pinafore, then traveling to Banff Centre for the Arts to workshop new operas by Karim al-Zand.

Wallis holds a Bachelor of Music from Furman University, where she was the first to receive a Musical Theatre minor, and a Master's from Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied under Jennifer Aylmer. A Georgia native, Wallis was a state champion 2-baton twirler three years in a row.

June 13 & 15

Naughty Marietta: Naughty Marietta, the beloved operetta by Victor Herbert and Rida Johnson Young, sends us on adventure to 18th-century New Orleans with Marietta, a runaway French princess, as she seeks love and freedom with Captain Richard Warrington. This operetta is filled with mystery, humor, and romance.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

The Lincoln Theatre

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/

Benjamin Bunsold as Dick Warrington in Naughty Marietta

Introducing Benjamin Bunsold as Dick Warrington in Naughty Marietta.

Benjamin Bunsold has sung a wide variety of operatic and concert engagements. Performances include Roméo (Roméo et Juliette) for Center Stage Opera in California in which his portrayal was described as “one of the highlights of the performance” (Lydeen, Tolucan Times), Emperor Altoum (Turandot) with the Fairbanks Symphony in Alaska, Rinnucio (Gianni Schicchi) for Winter Opera St. Louis, Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) and Male Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia) for Ohio State Opera Theater, and Ralph Rackstraw (HMS Pinafore) for Cleveland Opera Theater. Bunsold has performed several other notable performances with a large number of opera companies.

He has been a Young Artist performing with several notable opera companies and symphonies.

His most recent concerts include Mozart’s Vespers at Ohio Wesleyan University, Handel’s Messiah at Virginia Tech University, and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Lima Symphony Orchestra.

He holds a BM from Ohio Wesleyan University, an MM from the University of Illinois, and has completed additional graduate work at Ohio State University.

(You can find his entire bio on our website.)

June 13 & 15

Naughty Marietta: Naughty Marietta, the beloved operetta by Victor Herbert and Rida Johnson Young, sends us on adventure to 18th-century New Orleans with Marietta, a runaway French princess, as she seeks love and freedom with Captain Richard Warrington. This operetta is filled with mystery, humor, and romance.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

The Lincoln Theatre

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/

Megan Potter Joins OPC in Both Summer of Musicals Productions

Introducing Megan Potter as Hebe in HMS Pinafore and as Yvonne in Naughty Marietta.

Mezzo-soprano Megan Potter has been hailed by the LA Times for her “rich mezzo-soprano” and “wondrously convincing theatrical flair” as well as by Opera Today for her “plummy mezzo-soprano that can convey the sound of pain absorbed.” Her rich vocal quality and powerful stage presence have earned her roles including the title role of Carmen, Herodias (Salome), Azucena (Il trovatore), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Dinah (Trouble in Tahiti), Romeo (I Capuleti e i Montecchi), and Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel).

In recent seasons, she has performed roles at regional companies across the United States including Livermore Valley Opera, Pacific Opera Project, Central City Opera, Emerald City Opera, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, and Mid-Ohio Civic Opera. Her concert repertoire has boasted a wide array of musical tastes including the mezzo-soprano solo in Rossini’s Messa di Gloria, the soloist in Berio’s Folk Songs, and as Carmen in the Carmen Symphony. Recently, Ms. Potter premiered the role of Trudi in a workshop of a new opera, Wings of the Viking, by Ukrainian composer Sophia Pavlenko and performed the title role in Menotti’s The Medium. Upcoming, Ms. Potter is excited to make a return to her most performed role–Dorabella–with Livermore Valley Opera.

Join OPC as we present our Summer of Musicals:

June 6 & 8

HMS Pinafore: A classic light opera by the renowned duo Gilbert and Sullivan. We will set sail with this classic tale of love and social class aboard a British naval ship. Enjoy the comedic twists as the sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain’s daughter, navigate the challenges of societal expectations.

June 13 & 15

Naughty Marietta: Naughty Marietta, the beloved operetta by Victor Herbert and Rida Johnson Young, sends us on adventure to 18th-century New Orleans with Marietta, a runaway French princess, as she seeks love and freedom with Captain Richard Warrington. This operetta is filled with mystery, humor, and romance.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

The Lincoln Theatre

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/

Charles Austin Piper Returns to OPC Stage

Introducing Charles Austin Piper as Bosun in HMS Pinafore and as Captain in Naughty Marietta.

Charles Austin Piper, baritone, performs and teaches across the Cleveland and Columbus area. He has performed with Opera Columbus, Cleveland Opera Theatre, Nightingale Opera Theatre, The Ohio Light Opera company, and now Opera Project Columbus.

Some of his major opera performances include Dick Deadeye in H.M.S Pinafore, Paul in If I Were You, Geppetto in The Adventures of Pinocchio, Top in The Tender Land, and Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus. He has been a featured bass soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana, Faure’s Requiem, Handel’s The Messiah, and J.S Bach’s Lobet Gott in Seinen Reichen.

He has his Bachelor of Music degree from Otterbein University and his Master of Music degree from Kent State University. In 2018 he placed first in the graduate men category at Ohio NATS. That same year he also won the Herald Heiberg Liedersanger Preis in Graz Austria for outstanding lieder performance. He is currently a voice instructor and opera director at Otterbein University.

Join OPC as we present our Summer of Musicals:

June 6 & 8

HMS Pinafore: A classic light opera by the renowned duo Gilbert and Sullivan. We will set sail with this classic tale of love and social class aboard a British naval ship. Enjoy the comedic twists as the sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain’s daughter, navigate the challenges of societal expectations.

June 13 & 15

Naughty Marietta: Naughty Marietta, the beloved operetta by Victor Herbert and Rida Johnson Young, sends us on adventure to 18th-century New Orleans with Marietta, a runaway French princess, as she seeks love and freedom with Captain Richard Warrington. This operetta is filled with mystery, humor, and romance.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

The Lincoln Theatre

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/

Matt Zatko joins OPC in both Summer of Musicals Shows

Introducing Matthew John Zatko as Dick in HMS Pinafore and Etienne in Naughty Marietta.

Lyric Baritone Matthew John Zatko, serves as Adjunct Professor of Voice in the classical division and in commercial music and digital instruments at Ohio University. Having received a Bachelor of Music from The Ohio State University, and a Master’s of Music in performance and literature from Eastman School of Music, Zatko then completed his Advanced Studies in Music Certification from Carnegie Mellon University.

Zatko returns to the OPC stage having performed in Amahal and The Night Visitors. Other stage credits include La Boheme, Carmen, and Mission: Seraglio. While at Eatsman, Zatko made his operatic lead role debut as Don Giovanni, in Eastman Opera Theater’s Don Giovanni, and as Simone in Gianni Schiccni, he was a featured soloist for The Opera Guild of Rochester in their “Bravo Nights” and with the Eastman Bach Cantata Series. During his time at CMU, he performed as the role of Prince Charming in Cendrillon (Viardot) and in Ravel’s L’enfant est Les Sortiléges.

Matthew resides and teaches in both Athens, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio. In addition to his duties at OU, Matthew is a Master Teacher of Voice and Percussion with the Athens Community Music School and is a contracted chorister at Covenant Presbyterian Church. He is also a private music instructor in Columbus.

Join OPC as we present our Summer of Musicals:

June 6 & 8

HMS Pinafore: A classic light opera by the renowned duo Gilbert and Sullivan. We will set sail with this classic tale of love and social class aboard a British naval ship. Enjoy the comedic twists as the sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain’s daughter, navigate the challenges of societal expectations.

June 13 & 15

Naughty Marietta: Naughty Marietta, the beloved operetta by Victor Herbert and Rida Johnson Young, sends us on adventure to 18th-century New Orleans with Marietta, a runaway French princess, as she seeks love and freedom with Captain Richard Warrington. This operetta is filled with mystery, humor, and romance.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

The Lincoln Theatre

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/

We Welcome Back, Bart Smith

Introducing Bart Smith as Sir Joseph.

Bart Smith is thrilled to be returning to Opera Project Columbus, after having appeared as Major General Stanley in last season’s production of The Pirates of Penzance! Bart has been singing for central Ohio audiences for nearly 40 years; having performed dozens of roles with Opera Columbus, Columbus Light Opera, and many other local and regional companies.

Equally comfortable on the musical theatre stage, some of Bart’s favorite roles include The Chairman (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Judge Turpin (Sweeney Todd), Dr. Craven (Secret Garden), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), and King Arthur (Spamalot!).

By day, Bart is a Speech Pathologist for Grant Medical Center. Many thanks, and all the love to Belinda, Jarod, and Colin.

Join OPC as we present our Summer of Musicals:

June 6 & 8

HMS Pinafore: A classic light opera by the renowned duo Gilbert and Sullivan. We will set sail with this classic tale of love and social class aboard a British naval ship. Enjoy the comedic twists as the sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain’s daughter, navigate the challenges of societal expectations.

June 13 & 15

Naughty Marietta: Naughty Marietta, the beloved operetta by Victor Herbert and Rida Johnson Young, sends us on adventure to 18th-century New Orleans with Marietta, a runaway French princess, as she seeks love and freedom with Captain Richard Warrington. This operetta is filled with mystery, humor, and romance.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

The Lincoln Theatre

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/

Andrew LeVan joins OPC Summer of Musicals in HMS Pinafore & Naughty Marietta

Introducing Andrew LeVan as Captain in "HMS Pinafore" and as Rudolfo in "Naughty Marietta".

Andrew LeVan is a tenor from Dublin, Ohio. He attended The College of Wooster and received his Master’s Degree in vocal performance from Indiana University where he studied with Dr. Brian Horne. Andrew premiered the role of Nô in P. Q. Phan's opera The Tale of Lady Thi Kính and has performed as Mayor Upfold (Albert Herring), a Priest in Philip Glass' Akhnaten and others in performances with the Indiana University Opera Theater, The Indiana Festival Theater and the Ohio Light Opera. He was most recently seen as Henry Ford in CCT's production of Ragtime, and as a soloist in Gallery Player's production of Amadeus. He currently studies with Dr. Daniel St, Professor of Music at Ohio University.

June 6 & 8

HMS Pinafore: A classic light opera by the renowned duo Gilbert and Sullivan. We will set sail with this classic tale of love and social class aboard a British naval ship. Enjoy the comedic twists as the sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain’s daughter, navigate the challenges of societal expectations.

June 13 & 15

Naughty Marietta: Naughty Marietta, the beloved operetta by Victor Herbert and Rida Johnson Young, sends us on adventure to 18th-century New Orleans with Marietta, a runaway French princess, as she seeks love and freedom with Captain Richard Warrington. This operetta is filled with mystery, humor, and romance.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

The Lincoln Theatre

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/

Beaux Baldwin joining HMS Pinafore as Ralph

Introducing Beaux Baldwin as Ralph in "HMS Pinafore"

Beaux Baldwin, tenor, hails from Columbus, Ohio, and is pursuing a B.M. in Vocal Performance at Capital University's Conservatory of Music. Mr. Baldwin has performed both nationally and internationally, including venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia. Some of his recent roles include Man 1 (Songs for a New World), Roger (A New Brain), Giuseppe (The Light in the Piazza), and Shrek (Shrek the Musical). Baldwin has frequently placed in state and local voice competitions, including second place in the MT 8 category at NATS Ohio Chapter.

He serves as a tenor section leader in the Capital University Chapel Choir and co-founded the vocal chamber ensemble, Luces Stellarum, which recently coached with The King’s Singers. Additionally, Beaux serves as the tenor choral scholar at Christ Anglican Church. Mr. Baldwin studies with Dr. Chad Payton.

Join us this June 6 & 8

HMS Pinafore: A classic light opera by the renowned duo Gilbert and Sullivan. We will set sail with this classic tale of love and social class aboard a British naval ship. Enjoy the comedic twists as the sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain’s daughter, navigate the challenges of societal expectations.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

The Lincoln Theatre

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/

Kate Merryman in HMS Pinafore as Josephine

Joining OPC in HMS Pinafore this June 6 & 8 is Kate Merryman in the role of Joesphine.

You may remember Kate as our Mabel from last June's "The Pirate of Penzance" and she recently joined us at our Spring Soiree.

While Columbus is home, Kate is originally from the Washington D.C. area and has been labeled an “impressive singing-actress” by Broadway World (D.C.).

Her operatic roles include​ Mabel in "The Pirates of Penzance" with Opera Project Columbus, Nella in "Gianni Schicchi" and Elvira in #UncleJohn both with Opera Columbus. Other operatic roles include Lisette in "La Rondine" and Belinda in "Dido and Aeneas" with OSU Lyric Opera Theatre. Additionally, Kate has performed various musical theatre roles including Johanna (Sweeney Todd), Ellen Woods (Legally Blonde), Cinderella (Into the Woods), over 60 performances of Cosette (Les Miserables), and the Narrator (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), for which she was nominated for a Washington Area Theatre Community Honors Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical.

Kate serves as an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Otterbein University (Musical Theatre), as well as, operating her own private voice studio in Dublin, Ohio. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy and a Singing Health Specialization Certificate.

Join us this June 6 & 8

HMS Pinafore: A classic light opera by the renowned duo Gilbert and Sullivan. We will set sail with this classic tale of love and social class aboard a British naval ship. Enjoy the comedic twists as the sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain’s daughter, navigate the challenges of societal expectations.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

The Lincoln Theatre

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/


Cast Announcement for Summer of Musicals!

We are thrilled to share our Summer of Musicals Cast Announcement!

Joining us in HMS Pinafore, June 6 @7:30 PM and June 8 @ 3:00 PM are...

Kate Merryman as Josephine

Beaux Baldwin as Ralph

Andrew Levan as Captain

Bart Smith as Sir Joseph

Matt Zatko as Dick

Carolyn Redman as Buttercup

Charles Austin Piper as Bosun

Megan Potter as Hebe

Will Schott as Carpenter

Joining us in Naughty Marietta June 13 @ 7:30 PM and June 15 @ 3:00 PM are...

Ben Bunsold as Dick Warrington

Wallis Lucas as Marietta

Matt Zatko as Etienne

Megan Potter as Yvonne

Charles Austin Piper as Captain

Andrew Levan as Rudolfo

& our fabulous ensemble as listed above.

Secure your seats now:

https://www.operaprojectcolumbus.com/

2 weekends, 2 spectacular shows! Enjoy tickets to both shows at 30% off when purchasing similar seats for both weekends.

(30% discount applies to any order where Adult priced tickets are purchased for both shows, student and children’s tickets are already discounted.)

CODE: OPC2SHOW30

Special Offer: $12 child tickets (12 & under) available—up to 2 per adult ticket! Share the joy of opera with your little ones and create unforgettable memories.

$20 student tickets are also available

June 6 & 8

HMS Pinafore: A classic light opera by the renowned duo Gilbert and Sullivan. We will set sail with this classic tale of love and social class aboard a British naval ship. Enjoy the comedic twists as the sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain’s daughter, navigate the challenges of societal expectations.

June 13 & 15

Naughty Marietta: Naughty Marietta, the beloved operetta by Victor Herbert and Rida Johnson Young, sends us on adventure to 18th-century New Orleans with Marietta, a runaway French princess, as she seeks love and freedom with Captain Richard Warrington. This operetta is filled with mystery, humor, and romance.

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

$12 Children's Tickets

Whether you are a seasoned opera lover or a newcomer to the genre, HMS Pinafore & Naughty Marietta, promise an enchanting experience for ALL with universal themes and Opera Project Columbus’ spirited presentation, our presentation of both shows is accessible and enjoyable for audiences of all ages!

Think of this as a great time to expose your children or grandchildren to this beloved artform. We promise audiences of all ages will enjoy!

$12 child rate available for children 12 years old and under. Up to 2 discounted tickets per 1 full price adult ticket purchased. Please specify the number of adults and children when selecting seats. The discount will be applied in the shopping cart.

Merryman and Gibson to Perform at Spring Soiree

Our Spring Soiree will feature our own OPC Executive Director, Eric Gibson on piano and Kate Merryman, who you remember as our Mabel from last June's The Pirate of Penzance. Kate will be joining us again this June as we present our Summer of Musicals as Josephine in HMS Pinafore.

Kate is originally from the Washington D.C. area and has been labeled an “impressive singing-actress” by Broadway World (D.C.).

Her operatic roles include​ Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance with Opera Project Columbus, Nella in Gianni Schicchi and Elvira in #UncleJohn both with Opera Columbus. Other operatic roles include Lisette in La Rondine and Belinda in Dido and Aeneas with OSU Lyric Opera Theatre. Additionally, Kate has performed various musical theatre roles including Johanna (Sweeney Todd), Ellen Woods (Legally Blonde), Cinderella (Into the Woods), over 60 performances of Cosette (Les Miserables), and the Narrator (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), for which she was nominated for a Washington Area Theatre Community Honors Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical.

Kate serves as an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Otterbein University (Musical Theatre), as well as, operating her own private voice studio in Dublin, Ohio. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy and a Singing Health Specialization Certificate.

We are thrilled for this intimate performance and can't wait to share it with those of you joining us

Tickets are still available!

Thursday, April 17, 2025

7:30 PM

📍Mozart’s Cafe

Amadeus Ballroom

4784 N. High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43214


Tickets are $55 per person

Tickets must be purchased ahead of time.

Tickets are now available for OPC's Summer of Musicals

Opera Project Columbus' Summer of Musicals

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

Performances June 6-15

Presenting:

HMS Pinafore 

Friday, June 6 @ 7:30 PM

&

Sunday, June 8 @ 3:00 PM

the Lincoln Theatre

A comic opera in two acts by Gilbert and Sullivan, HMS Pinafore is a tale of love, honor, and duty which pokes fun at patriotism, party politics, the Royal Navy, and the rise of unqualified people to positions of authority.

HMS Pinafore tickets here

Naughty Marietta

Friday, June 13 @ 7:30 PM

&

Sunday, June 15 @ 3:00 PM

the Lincoln Theatre

An operetta in two acts, set in 18th century New Orleans, love and adventure await when a French princess, disguised as her maid, escapes an arranged marriage by traveling to Colonial New Orleans. A thrilling story of romance and memorable musical numbers are presented in this masterpiece of Victor Herbert.

Naughty Marietta Tickets Here


It Feels Like Spring, Come Celebrate With OPC!

Join Opera Project Columbus for a Spring Soiree as we mingle, enjoy great music, food and drink.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

7:30 PM

Mozart’s Cafe

Amadeus Ballroom

4784 N. High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43214

The evening will consist of a live performance from Opera Project Columbus, an elegant selection of savory canapes and a decadent assortment of handmade European miniature pastries.

Each guest will receive their choice of beer or wine (additional may be purchased) as well as coffee, hot tea, iced tea, soda.

Tickets are $55 per person

Tickets must be purchased ahead of time

Such Talent, Columbus!

Thank you to those who were able to join OPC for our January auditions!

If you are local and missed and would like to submit your materials electronically for consideration for our June shows, please email them ASAP to OPC Executive Director, Eric Gibson at Eric@operaprojectcolumbus.com

Performances June 6-15

Rehearsals begin mid-May

Audition for OPC Summer Season!

Vocal Auditions for all Principal and Ensemble positions

Opera Project Columbus' Summer Season

Presenting:

HMS Pinafore 

& 

Naughty Marietta

Eric Gibson, Director

William Boggs, Conductor

Performances June 6-15

Rehearsals begin Mid-May

All performers in the production will be compensated

Please review the available slots in the button above

If slots fill, we will consider adding additional

Audition Repertoire: 1 selection in English AND 1 selection of performer's choice in any language. 

OPC will have an accompanist on site. 

All auditionees should bring their current bio and headshot. 

In person auditions are preferred. However, if you are unable to attend, please contact us to submit your materials electronically to Eric@operaprojectcolumbus.com by Saturday, January 18.