MONMOUTH — Pierre Beaumarchais’ “The Barber of Seville” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 15, at the Theater at Monmouth.

Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Rosina, but she’s locked in the house by her guardian, who has his own matrimonial plans for her. What’s a count to do? Fortunately, the crafty Figaro is on hand to sort everything out — or, perhaps, complicate it further.

Beaumarchais’ comic romp is chock full of hilarious misunderstandings, disguises and sumptuous period costumes.

“Liberty lies at the heart of the play, Director Matthew Arbour said. “Figaro’s impulse to freedom — his cheerful, impudent compulsion to make what he can of and for himself in the face of a structured aristocracy and its arbitrary authority — renders him the magnetic and enduring character he is.”

Beaumarchais was a French polymath who, at various times in his life, was a watchmaker, inventor, playwright, musician, diplomat, spy, arms dealer, financier and revolutionary (French and American wars). He was influential in the court of Louis XV as an inventor and music teacher while overseeing covert aid from the French and Spanish governments to the New World rebels before France’s formal entry into the American War of Independence in 1778. He is best known for his theatrical works, especially the three Figaro plays.

In 1786, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed the opera “Le Nozze di Figaro,” based on “The Marriage of Figaro,” the second play in the Beaumarchais trilogy, with a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. 

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The Barber of Seville features Tim Kopacz as Count Almaviva; Bill Van Horn as Dr. Bartolo; Kelsey Burke as Rosina; Lucas Calzada as Figaro; Chris White as Bazille; Mark S. Cartier as Youthful/Notary; Joe Mariani as Sprightly/Alcade; and Isabella Etro as Servant.

Performance preview is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. July 23, Aug. 2, Aug. 10, Aug. 13 and Aug. 18; at 1 p.m. Aug. 3, Aug. 16 and Aug. 21.

There will be a performance at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 31, featuring a post-show discussion. 

Educators receive 20 percent off tickets for opening night with a photo ID at the box office. Ticket prices range from $20 to $32.

For those ages 30 and younger, 20 $10 rush tickets are available at each performance. Tickets will be released to the first 20 people on the list 10 minutes before curtain. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

For calendar and reservations, contact the box office at 207-933-9999 or visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.


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