Madison actress lead in New Stage production
Madison’s Sarah Beth Solop says she relates highly to her role in New Stage’s upcoming production of “Lend Me a Soprano” since she is not an opera singer, and the main character barely knows opera.
“I am terrified but also excited to put myself front and center vocally,” Solop said. “In this play, the character I play has barely any experience with opera, and that’s exactly how I am. I’m barely a singer, and now I have to sing opera in front of people. It’s fun to relate to the character in that way.”
Solop grew up in Madison and graduated from Jackson Prep. She has lived in places like New York and Los Angeles and moved back to Madison in 2016 with her husband Harper and three children, Ava, Wilder and Sterling. She is also a graduate of the University of Cincinnati CCM Drama school, and runs her own comedy Instagram account, “theeveryromcomgirl.”
“We absolutely love being in Madison,” Solop said. “It’s beautiful and is a perfect community to raise your children in.”
“Lend Me a Soprano” is set in 1934, when the clever and combustible Lucille Wiley, manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is ready to welcome world-class soprano Elena Firenzi for her one-night-only starring role in Carmen. Elena arrives late, and her husband Pasquale has a fit of jealousy. It remains to be seen whether Mrs. Wiley’s assistant Jo can save the day.
The play is based on “Lend Me a Tenor,” written by Ken Ludwig. In this version, the roles are reversed and the women take the lead in what is described as a “screwball comedy guaranteed to leave audiences teary-eyed with laughter.
Solop, who plays Lucile Wiley’s assistant Jo, said she wanted to take the role since comedy is her wheelhouse.
“The director, Francine Thomas Reynolds, was actually my high school drama teacher and I remember her telling me acting is something I could do professionally,” Solop said. “She was the first one to believe in me for that, and it’s fun to come full circle with her in this way.”
Solop describes the show as high energy and a great event for date night.
“Lend Me a Soprano” opens Season 58 at New Stage and runs from Sep. 12 through Sep. 24. Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Artistic Director Francine Thomas Reynolds said New Stage is really leaning into fun for Season 58.
“I am delighted that New Stage is one of the first regional theatres to premiere ‘Lend Me a Soprano’ by Ken Ludwig, after its first staging at the Alley Theatre in Houston,” Reynolds said. “Ludwig has written a very funny play balancing farce, wit, and heart expertly. The cast and company assembled for Lend Me a Soprano is top rate and perfectly poised to deliver the laughs!”
Along with Solop as Jo, the cast includes Jo Ann Robinson as Mrs. Wylie (Pearl), Michael Kinslow as Jerry (Jackson), Joe Frost as Pasquale (Jackson), Annie Gill as Elena (Baltimore), Jack Baugh as Leo (New York), Marquita Levy as Beverly the Belhop (Brandon), and Viola Dacus as Julia. (Clinton).
“Lend Me a Soprano” performances are September 12-24, 2023. Ticket prices are $35.00 with discounts available for students, senior citizens, military, and groups. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, charged by phone by calling the theatre at (601) 948-3533, or ordered online at www.newstagetheatre.com.
New Stage is located at 1100 Carlisle Street in the Belhaven neighborhood of Jackson.