Opera starring singing snake to open

A singing snake is coming to the University of South Dakota. “Sid, the Serpent Who Wanted To Sing” opens Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Colton Recital Hall in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts.

The kid-friendly show revolves around a dancing serpent named Sid who travels with a circus. Although Sid dances, he just wants to sing. Throughout the opera, the circus travels around the world where Sid tries to learn different styles of singing, but fails at everything from opera to rock.

Sid’s circus friends help him on his journey of self-discovery and eventually help him find his own style of music. This fun, cheerful opera is full of laughs while teaching the audience about opera music.

Director Brandon Hendrickson said the show was chosen because he wants to try to start an educational outreach program for grade school students.

“By taking opera to elementary, middle school and high school students, we hope to teach students about opera and generate interest in this great art form for both singers and audience members,” he said. “Opera is for everyone.”

Hendrickson said the cast had a blast with the production and rehearsal for the opera.

Sophomore cast member Hannah Lambertz said she loved everything about being in the opera. Hannah’s main role in the opera is the clown, but she also plays a music hall performer and Super Swinging Sally Sue.

“I’m working with an extremely talented cast and director that has made the entire creative process a blast,” she said. “Since this is my first big role in an opera, the concept of performing for my peers and professors is a little nerve-wracking, but I’m more excited than anything.”

First-year Courtney Fischer has never been to an opera before but plans to attend “Sid, the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing.”

“I’m looking forward to my very first opera, and I’m excited to see what’s going to happen,” she said. “It’s definitely something different for me.”

The show will also play Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door for the general public and University of South Dakota students can get in for free with their

student ID.