Las Vegas, N.M. – The Highlands University HU Singers will present Jazz and Laughs Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. in the university’s Ilfeld Auditorium, 900 University Ave.
Andre García-Nuthmann, director of the Highlands choral and vocal program, will direct the musical production and accompany on piano. Don Evans is the artistic director.
“Jazz and Laughs is a combination of jazz favorites for the first half – including Putting on the Ritz and It Don’t Mean a Thing – and a medley from the musical Guys and Dolls,” García-Nuthmann said. “The second half of the program is Oedipus Tex, a complete comic opera by Peter Schickele. It’s a parody of the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex, placed in an exaggerated and ridiculous setting in Texas. It’s an entertaining comedy.”
García-Nuthmann said Oedipus Tex also pokes fun at the traditional and sometimes sedate atmosphere of opera.
In Oedipus Tex, Highlands vocal performance music majors Daniel Torres plays Oedipus Tex, Karliz de Marco plays Billy Jo Casta, and Jamie García plays Madam Peep. Other HU Singers perform as the Greek Texas Choir in the opera.
De Marco and García are also the choreographers for Jazz and Laughs. Michael Campbell is the guest percussionist.
Tickets for Jazz and Laughs are $5 for general admission. Highlands University students with valid IDs are free.