Contributed photo: ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ will be performed in English this weekend in the Performing Arts Center. Senior Devon Meddock plays Susanna who eagerly waits to be married to her beloved, Figaro.

Students at Mercyhurst are constantly involved in various events taking place on and off of campus grounds.

An exciting performance is coming to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) as “The Marriage of Figaro” is performed for the Erie community to see this upcoming weekend.

The performance is comprised of three acts with a minor intermission, and features the spectacular talent of multiple Mercyhurst students, as well as a small chamber orchestra.

The curtain opens with two servants, Figaro and his fiancée, Susanna, preparing the room given to them by their employer, Count Almaviva, as a wedding gift.

After learning that the Count has his eyes on Susanna, Figaro vows to outwit his master with the help of Susanna and the Countess.

The story continues to unfold as different relationships are broken, and others come to light.

Stories are twisted, and deals are made and broken among other characters in this embodiment of love and betrayal.

Senior Eric Delagrange, playing the role of Figaro, says that the cast has taken many risks in order to find themselves within these roles.

“Not only is our cast full of brilliant musicians, but we have analyzed the nature of our characters, and their relationships amongst each other,” said Delagrange.

“It takes a lot of inner searching to create a show where the audience becomes completely invested in the actions we perform on stage.”

Earning student roles as prominent as these is not an easy task, and it takes a major amount of hard work and dedication to prepare for the shows.

“This opera has definitely been an experience I will never forget. It hasn’t been an easy process but it has been a learning experience, everyday, I think for all of us,” Orgel said.

This opera is performed in English, but also has two particularly well-known arias kept in Italian.

This production of “The Marriage of Figaro” is produced and directed by Louisa Jonason, chair of the music department, with the help of her assistant director, James Bobick.

Performers are certain that the audience will be captivated in this comedic opera. Sophomore Alexa Zeremenko earned the role of the countess.

“I am very excited to perform this opera this weekend. It’s definitely not a show to miss,” Zeremenko said.

“The Marriage of Figaro” has two evening performances on Friday and Saturday, March 22, and 23, at 8 p.m., as well as a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday, March 24.

Tickets are available at the door as well as in advance from the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center box office. For more information, contact the PAC at (814) 824-3000.