WT Opera’s ‘Doctor Miracle’ to Be Staged at Dalhart’s La Rita Theatre

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University Opera is hitting the road for a special performance in Dalhart.

The student opera singers will perform Georges Bizet’s “Doctor Miracle” at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the La Rita Theatre, 311 Denrock Ave. in Dalhart, as part of WT’s Showcase in a Suitcase program.

Admission is free. For information, call 806-244-6222 or visit facebook.com/LaritaTheater.

In the opera, Captain Silvio tries to woo Laurette, the daughter of the town’s mayor, who dislikes military men and forbids the relationship. So, Silvio dons a few disguises, including the eponymous Doctor Miracle, in order to stay close to Laurette. In one of his disguises, he even flirts with Laurette’s mother, Véronique.

WT Opera staged “Miracle” in September to open its 2024-2025 season. Performing in Dalhart will be Joshua Moreno, a senior music education major from Canyon, as Silvio/Pasquin/Doctor Miracle; Oscar Hample, a graduate student in vocal performance from Wasilla, Alaska, as Podestat; Andrea Sandor, a graduate student in vocal performance from Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania, as Veronique; and Kanani Crandall, a graduate student in vocal performance from San Diego, as Lauretta.

“We are thrilled to remount our ‘Doctor Miracle’ production and take it on the road to the gorgeous La Rita Theater,” said Sarah Beckham-Turner, WT Opera director and assistant professor of voice. “The cast had a blast presenting this show last fall, and it is a delightful treat to revisit this hilarious short opera.”

Showcase in a Suitcase began in 2011 as a way to offer educational and cultural experiences to rural Texas Panhandle residents through performances, workshops, lectures and clinics from the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities.

“The opportunity to share the talents and excellence of our students and faculty in Dalhart and with other communities across the Panhandle is an important part of the purpose of the College,” said Dr. Dan Peterson, dean. “We are grateful for the Showcase in a Suitcase endowment that makes this possible and furthers our mission of sharing the fine arts and humanities.”

The majority of events have taken place in the La Rita, but performances and master classes also have been conducted in Boys Ranch, Channing, Pampa, Panhandle, Perryton, Quitaque and Vega, as well as Midland and Odessa.

In 2022, Louise C. and Gene F. Rahll of Dalhart gave $300,000 to establish an endowment to support the Showcase in a Suitcase program.

Fostering an appreciation of the arts is a key component of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WT—