Dale Lyles

has been the artistic director for Newnan Community Theatre Company for

22 years. After "The Marriage of Figaro," for which Lyles served

as translator, director and star, he will retire as artistic director

for the company and take a full year off.

Lyles relationship

with "The Marriage of Figaro" began when he was 18 years old.

Thirty years later, he has brought the Opera to life as a musical, though

Lyles is loathe to use the "O" word at all when discussing this

production.

"We had

performed selections from 'The Marriage of Figaro' a few years ago and

members of the company kept saying that 'we could do this show',"

Lyles explained. He began searching for translations of Mozart's classic

and found many of the translations to be word for word translations, each

failing to capture the humor of the work. As the saying goes, if you want

something done right, do it yourself. Lyles translated the work, changed

the staging from an opera where people stand and sing to a musical, where

there is action, ratcheted up the innuendo and made the show accessible

to a 21st century audience.

"One of

the problems I found with many of the translations was that things that

were titillating in the 18th century would be seen as quaint by modern

audiences," explained Lyles. "The Marriage of Figaro is a comedy

and I wanted to deliver the comedy." Lyles went on to suggest that

the show should be considered PG-13 and not suitable for small children,

partially for content but mostly due to length.

"The Marriage

of Figaro" is actually a sequel to "The Barber of Seville,"

though Lyles states that audiences will not have to be familiar with either

work to enjoy this production. The story revolves around The Count, played

The Count is after Susanna and Figaro borrowed money from a woman and

must marry her if he does not pay her back. The Count is in a troubled

marriage with the Countess and Cherubino is in love with lots of people

and is constantly getting in the way of the Count. Though things get confusing

for the characters in the show, Lyles insists that it is easy for the

audience to follow.

"The Marriage

of Figaro" was set in the 18th century but Lyles has set NCTC's production

in the 1950s. "It will be easier for the audience to tell the difference

between a countess and a servant in 1950s style dress than 18th century

dress," Lyles explained. "Plus, it was a heck of a lot easier

to costume that way." However, a key scene is the fourth act is set

at a costume party and much of the cast ends up in 18th century dress

anyway.

The cast of

the show features 20 people, including 11 main characters. Most of the

cast is from Coweta County, though one cast member has been coming from

north of Atlanta to be part of the show. There are a few trained voices

in the cast and one with an opera background, but the cast has fully embraced

both the show and the music.

"One cast

member came to me amazed that each note he sings delineates his character,"

said Lyles. "We have been able to realize Mozart's genius. Every

note of the 350 pages of score is perfect." Lyles also ads that while

the cast is scared out of their wits as they head into the days before

the show opens, it is also one of the biggest thrills of their careers.

"The Marriage

of Figaro" is a musical in four acts and there will be two brief

intermissions. There is over two and a half hours of music but Lyles explains

that the show is no longer than some of the classic old musicals such

as "My Fair Lady" and "South Pacific." It also sounds

like the audience will be laughing so hard that they won't be able to

focus on the play's length.

"The Marriage

of Figaro" will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays

through Nov. 9 at the Newnan Community Theatre. Admission is $10 for adults

and $8 for students. For more information, phone 770-683-NCTC or visit

newnantheatre.com.

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