Light Opera Works Presents THE STUDENT PRINCE, 8/18-28

In THE STUDENT PRINCE, young love blossoms in Old Heidelberg as the betrothed heir to the throne goes off to university, only to fall for a beautiful waitress in the beer garden.

THE STUDENT PRINCE is directed and choreographed by Light Opera Works artistic director, Rudy Hogenmiller and conducted by Light Opera Works music director Roger L. Bingaman.

Casting for THE STUDENT PRINCE includes William Bennett (Karl Franz), Danielle Knox (Kathie), Bill Stone (Dr. Engel), and Dale Benson (Lutz).

The design/production team for THE STUDENT PRINCE includes Tom Burch (Scenic), Jeff Hendry (Costume), Sienna Macedon- Kusek (Hair and Make-Up), Andrew Meyers (Lighting), David Lee Bradke (Sound), Anders Jacobson and Judy Radovsky (Properties), Katie Beeks (Stage Manager) and Paige Keedy (Production Manager).

The Opening Reception for THE STUDENT PRINCE is sponsored by Campagnola.

THE STUDENT PRINCE is Light Opera Works' second production of 2011. The season will continue with RODGERS & HART: A CELEBRATION (October 2-November 6) and Tony Award winner THE SECRET GARDEN (December 26-January 1).

Discounted season ticket packages are still available.

Ticket prices for THE STUDENT PRINCE range from $32 to $92. Ages 21 and younger are half price. To order tickets, or for more information, call the Light Opera Works box office at (847) 869-6300 or order 24 hours a day online at www.lightoperaworks.com

Rudy Hogenmiller (Director and Choreographer) has directed and choreographed many productions for the company including BRIGADOON, HELLO, DOLLY!, MY FAIR LADY, THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, KISS ME, KATE, SOUTH PACIFIC, THE MIKADO and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. He has been recognized with six Joseph Jefferson Awards and 17 nominations for best direction and choreography in Chicago. Hogenmiller has been a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers for more than 25 years.

Roger L. Bingaman (Music Director) conducts the 26-piece orchestra. Bingaman made his first appearance on the Light Opera Works podium in 1997, conducting THE MERRY WIDOW. Since then he has conducted many Light Opera Works productions, including BRIGADOON, HELLO, DOLLY! CAROUSEL, THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD and I DO! I DO!, as well as BEAUTIFUL HELEN OF TROY, THE STUDENT PRINCE, SWEETHEARTS, NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY, SOUTH PACIFIC, 110 IN THE SHADE, KISS ME, KATE, BITTER SWEET, OKLAHOMA!, GIGI, IOLANTHE, THE MUSIC MAN, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, MY FAIR LADY, and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Bingaman has been director of the apprentice program and chorus master for the Sarasota Opera since 1998.

William Bennett (Karl Franz) makes his Light Opera debut in THE STUDENT PRINCE. He has performed solo roles with Lyric Opera of Chicago's "Opera in the Neighborhoods" program, Chicago Symphony Kraft Series, Chicago Opera Theater Young Artist Program, Ash Lawn Opera, Sugar Creek Symphony & Song, Cedar Rapids Opera, Elgin Opera and DuPage Opera Theater. This year he covered the role of Horatio in LÉLIO (Berlioz) and the tenor soloist in Janá?ek's GLADOLITIC MASS, both with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Following his graduate work at DePaul University, Bennett spent three summers at the prestigious Chautauqua Institute Voice Program. He is also the founder and president of Velvet Singer LLC (www.velvetsinger.com), a professional services firm for classical singers, through which he has presented over thirty seminars at music schools and opera companies throughout the US.

Danielle Knox (Kathie), a native of Long Island, New York, enjoys a varied career that includes opera, musical theater, and oratorio. Danielle has performed as a leading soprano with the Tri-Cities Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Atlanta Lyric Theater, and Chamber Opera of Chicago. She has been featured on several compact disc recordings with the Albany Records Label, including such works as Sullivan's THE SORCERER, De Koven's ROBIN HOOD, and Romberg's MAYTIME. Danielle received her Bachelors Degree in Vocal Performance with High Distinction from the Eastman School of Music and a Masters Degree in Opera from Binghamton University. Last summer, she performed the roles of Betty Doxy in THE BEGGAR'S OPERA and Sr. Dolcina in SUOR ANGELICA at the Castleton Festival in Virginia under the baton of Maestro Lorin Maazel. Danielle is excited to make her Light Opera Works debut in the role of Kathie in THE STUDENT PRINCE.

Bill Stone (Dr. Engel) began his professional music theatre career starring in THE STUDENT PRINCE at the relaunch of the historic Woodstock Opera House, followed by concert appearances with the legendary Fred Waring. This is his Light Opera Works debut. Recently he appeared as Larry in the Village Theatre Guild production of COMPANY. His featured musical theatre roles with the St. Louis Municipal Opera and The Little Theatre-On-The-Square include: ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, GEORGE M, THE MUSIC MAN, GUYS AND DOLLS, OKLAHOMA!, PAL JOEY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, DO I HEAR A WALTZ?, KISS ME, KATE, FUNNY GIRL, SUPERMAN and THE UNSINKABLE Molly Brown. He is a long time voice student of Dr. Ronald Combs.

Dale Benson (Lutz) has appeared in hundreds of productions during his long career as a member of Actors' Equity Association. He has "trod the boards" in Chicago, across the United States and the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom, performing with many luminaries of stage and screen. He is proud to add Light Opera Works to the roster with his company debut. Awards include Joseph Jefferson and eight nominations, After Dark, Chicago Drama League, DAR, The Ford Foundation, Distinguished Alumni-De Paul University, The Art Institute of Chicago and the National Career Award-The National Society of Arts and Letters. Dale is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

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