Ohio Light Opera

OLO is one of the only companies in the US that focuses entirely on light opera and operetta.  I started there in the summer of 2006, singing almost entirely in the chorus, and moved into more interesting and prominent roles over the next couple years, arriving at  the "golden summer of Anthony" in 2008, in which I played fun, exciting roles in every show I was in.  Here is a brief photo tour of the roles from that summer.  (There will be a pay-off for looking at all these, I promise.)

First, Andrew Carnes in Oklahoma (Guest-starring in the photo is Amanda O., who played my daughter, Ado Annie.)

Carnes is an old curmudgeon who carries a fire arm at all times and has a crackly voice like an old-timey prospector.  When Desiree saw the show, she swore my dad had walked onto stage the first time I entered.  Note the brilliant age make-up, provided by yours truly.

Next, Bennie Kidd in The Desert Song.(Guest star: Karla H. as Clementina)

Bennie is a New York reporter caught up in a world of espionage and intrigue in Morocco.  He and his girl friend, Susan are the comic relief of the show.  Perfect.  Bennie even gets to dress up like a girl, because humiliation is always funny.  So, try not to pee yourself when you see this photo of me in harem pants and a skimpy top.

Next, The Grand Duke from The Czarevitch.  That's me at the far right.  (Guest stars: Robin and Todd as the Soprano and Tenor who couldn't stop singing)

We couldn't tell if this show lost something in the translation from German to English or if it was always really bad.  But my role was kind of fun to play because I was a serious, villainy sort of guy.  Again, kickin' age make-up by yours truly.

Next, Mr. Gravvins from The Cabaret Girl. (Guest star: Sahara as Little Ada)

Doing this show was probably one of the funnest things I have ever done in my life.  Gravvins is a British music store owner who constantly gets himself in trouble by being a big idiot and raving like a lunatic.  Here he is posing as the vicar:

He actually just looks like a beatnick.  And here he is in the world's most ridiculous cabaret costume:

There's a CD recording of the show you can purchase.  It's awesome.  Tell me you bought it and thought I rocked, even if you never do.

Last of the 2008 photos is Herisson de Porc-Epic.  He is the obnoxious ambassador from France who looks like a mime and wears Puma-brand tennis shoes.  This show was also outrageously fun to do.

So, point is: every character in 2008 was wildly different.  An Oklahoman farmer, a New York reporter, a Russian duke, a British musician, and a French ambassador.

Now on to 2009:

A sailor in HMS Pinafore

Dick Dauntless the sailor in Ruddigore

Enrico the sailor in A Night in Venice (Guest star: Tania as Barbara)

A chorus dude with a sailor hat in La Belle Helene (Guest star: Cecily.  We were wicked fierce!)

and a gangster?  Wait a minute!  He's not a sailor!  

But wait... he gets appointed to be the secretary of the navy in the second act of Of Thee I Sing.  Oh, that's better!  He's a sailor after all!

Everyday when I'd show up at the theater in 2009, it was just a question of which sailor outfit I put on.  I kept wondering if it was some cosmic sign I should join the navy.