(GRANTS PASS, OR) — Opera is making its long-awaited return to Grants Pass this August, and it’s arriving with a twist of nostalgia and a whole lot of charm. One Eleven Theatre Company is stepping into new artistic territory with its upcoming production of The Old Maid and the Thief, a comedic one-act opera originally written for radio in the 1930s by the legendary Gian Carlo Menotti. The production marks the first opera performed in Grants Pass since 2019 and promises a delightful blend of vintage radio theater and operatic storytelling.
A cleverly crafted satire, The Old Maid and the Thief spins a tale of secrets, scandal, and small-town drama as a spinster and her maid find their quiet world disrupted by a charming drifter. As the women spiral into a web of lies and temptation in an effort to keep their handsome houseguest, audiences are taken on a ride filled with mischief, irony, and unexpected twists. The show’s unique blend of humor, melody, and morality makes it one of Menotti’s most accessible and entertaining works.
This production offers more than just music and storytelling—it revives the golden age of radio. The show will be performed in a live radio play format, complete with an on-stage narrator, foley artists producing sound effects in real time, and professional piano accompaniment. It’s an immersive theatrical experience designed to both entertain and transport audiences to a bygone era of imaginative broadcast performance.
The effort is led by local voice teacher and former professional opera singer Kristin Ryerson, who also stars in the production. The cast features a lineup of talented Southern Oregon vocalists including MacKenna Anderson, Marissa Christensen, and Luke Anderson, each bringing operatic flair to the lively characters. Heidi Sundin and Christine Morrison will provide the musical backbone on dual grand pianos, while Stephanie Malone and Rachel Kostrna handle the live sound effects. Narration will be delivered by Stephen Kostrna, guiding the audience through the tale as if tuning in to a classic radio broadcast.
Performed entirely in English, The Old Maid and the Thief serves as a creative bridge between musical theater and traditional opera, making it accessible for newcomers and longtime opera fans alike. Audiences are encouraged to stay after each performance for a reception with complimentary refreshments and a chance to meet the cast and crew. The event also provides an opportunity to support One Eleven Theatre Company’s upcoming season through donations or sponsorship.
Two performances are scheduled at the Grants Pass Performing Arts Center: Friday, August 8 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 10 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at www.OneElevenTheatreCompany.com or at the venue beginning one hour before showtime. Group rates are available for schools, businesses, and large parties by contacting oneeleventheatre@gmail.com or calling 541-450-9070.
With its retro charm, live theatrical artistry, and toe-tapping score, The Old Maid and the Thief offers a rare and entertaining night out for the Grants Pass community—and a welcome encore for opera in Southern Oregon.