The University of Colorado at Boulder College of Music has suspended its 30-year presentation of summer musicals because of budget restrictions and potentially disruptive campus construction.
The popular program, called Colorado Light Opera, typically takes place in July and August and features student and community artists. Last year, it offered 10 performances of “Anything Goes” and 11 of “Oklahoma!,” drawing an attendance of 4,800 eople.
Daniel Sher, dean of the College of Music, said the productions have run typically deficits, which have been absorbed into the college’s general budget — something that is no longer possible given potential cuts in state higher-education funding. Last year’s program cost $180,000, but he declined to provide the size of its revenue shortfall.
“It’s just not a gap that anybody would want to live with going forward, whatever the size,” Sher said. “It’s a period of uncertainty, and with the other conditions going on there, we just felt this was the thing to do.”
Nick Sugar, who has directed several CLO offerings, said it’s sad whenever funding is pulled for the arts, period.
“After working with such incredible design teams and inspired actors, musicians and vocalists, it’s disappointing to see it go, because I saw it as a very educational and thriving place to grow.”
Besides budgetary uncertainties, Sher said the planned replacement of seats in the Music Theatre, where the musicals took place, and a summer renovation of Grusin Music Hall, were added complications.
The College of Music plans to announce in March a new summer program that could potentially replace Colorado Light Opera, Sher said, but it’s possible the musicals might be back in 2011.
“What we are dedicated to is ensuring that we have a lively performance scene that allows for a comparable number of performance experiences,” he said. “It may take a different form or it could be CLO is what we return to. It’s too early to say.”
CLO began in 1979 with performances of “Showboat” and “Gypsy.” The following year, it began the tradition of presenting Gilbert and Sullivan operas, which continued for a decade. Beginning in 1990, the summer festival also included shows by other composers and lyricists, beginning with “Kismet.”
It is sad to see that a great program is being shut down,” said actor Macleish Day, who performed in CLO shows for four summers. “It was a recruiting platform for many incoming students and a showcase event for those new up and coming opera singers and actors in Colorado.
“I know many new talents and old patrons who have seen the shows for many years will be shocked to see a dark theater not play this summer.
I will miss the opportunity to work with fantastic people and to be put into glorious costumes conducted with the-top caliber orchestra from CU.
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
