The Oconee Performing Arts Society has announced the start of its 17th season, continuing a rich tradition of presenting world-class talent to the Lake Country community.
The 2024-25 OPAS season opens Sept. 27 at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton with Broadway Sings for OPAS, which promises to dazzle audiences with performances by legendary orchestrator and conductor Larry Blank alongside celebrated vocalists Josh Young, Matt Ford, and Emily Padgett.
Blank brings more than four decades of work on Broadway, film, and television, garnering multiple Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations. His expertise and passion for this genre of music will set the tone as he leads a remarkable 32-piece OPAS Philharmonic orchestra.
Three outstanding singers will join Blank, including Tony-nominated actor Josh Young. Young is well known for his role as Judas in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar and has portrayed Marius in Les Misérables more than any other actor.
Also, British sensation Matt Ford, renowned for his performances with leading orchestras such as the BBC Concert Orchestra, will bring his charm and versatility to the evening, and Broadway’s Emily Padgett, handpicked by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell for Bright Star, and having starred in acclaimed productions like Rock of Ages, Side Show, and Grease, will lend her triple-threat talents to the show, too.
Join OPAS at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at The Plaza as it brings the magic of Broadway to town.
For ticket sales, information on youth programs, and OPAS membership opportunities, visit online at opas.org or call OPAS at 706-467-6000.
For classical music enthusiasts, OPAS is launching a new series: OPAS Unplugged, an intimate 60-minute afternoon concert series to debut Sunday, Oct. 6, with a performance by the renowned Ehnes Quartet. This “dream team” will feature violinists James Ehnes and Amy Schwartz Moretti, violist Che-Yen Chen, and cellist Edward Arron. This “dream team” will perform at 3 p.m. at the First Methodist Church on Carey Station Road in Greensboro.
Beyond world-class performances, the upcoming season for OPAS will focus on fostering young talent through scholarships, masterclasses, the OPAS Lesson Bank, and the OPAS Youth Chorus.
These programs are designed to nurture and inspire the next generation of artists. The season’s annual fundraiser, OPAS Soirée en Blanc & Noir, will begin at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Barrel 118. Proceeds from the Soirée will help support all OPAS initiatives.
OPAS also offers special thanks to each of its season sponsors, including corporate sponsors Luxury Lake Oconee Real Estate Group, Reynolds Lake Oconee, and Signature FD, as well as individual Presenter’s Circle season sponsors Donna Freeman and Mike Heyne.