2631 Harvard Ave. N.W.
Canton, Ohio 44709
330-327-2985
Canton Comic Opera Company Presents RIO RITA; July 19 & 20, 2008
The Canton Comic Opera Company will present the 1927 romantic musical comedy RIO RITA with music by Harry Tierney, lyrics by Joseph McCarthy and book by Guy Bolton and Fred Thompson and on Saturday, July 19 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be at the Canton Jewish Community Center Auditorium, 2631 Harvard Ave. N.W., Canton, Ohio 44709. RIO RITA will feature a cast of 30 and a full orchestra directed by Joseph N. Rubin. Tickets are $15.00 for general admission. To purchase tickets and for more information call (330) 327-2985, or view the Canton Comic Opera Company’s website at www.cantoncomicoperaco.com.
Originally produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, RIO RITA opened on Broadway in 1927 and ran 494 performances, becoming one of the longest running shows of the decade. The show was filmed twice, first in 1930 with John Boles and Bebe Daniels and in 1942 with Abbott and Costello. One of America’s most popular operettas, RIO RITA was constantly revived by stock and amateur companies all over the country, but has never been performed in Canton.
RIO RITA is set in Mexico where Captain Jim Stewart of the Texas Rangers comes in search of the bandit known as Kinkajou, but instead falls in love with beautiful Rita. General Esteban, who also loves her, convinces Rita that Jim is only courting her to arrest her brother, but true loves wins in the end. Harry Tierney’s memorable score contains such hits as “Rio Rita,” “The Ranger’s Song” and “If You’re in Love You’ll Waltz.” Harry Tierney also wrote such successful musical comedies as IRENE and KID BOOTS.
The Canton Comic Opera Company is a non-profit theatre company, based in Canton, Ohio, dedicated to the preservation and performance of American operettas. Founded and incorporated in 2003 by executive director, Joseph N. Rubin, the Canton Comic Opera Company is an all volunteer organization providing talented singers and musicians in the Northeastern Ohio community with the opportunity to perform in operetta productions. The Canton Comic Opera Company is the only theatre company in the world dedicated solely to the performance of historic American operettas.
More Information: http://www.cantoncomicoperaco.com
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