Those who have been waiting for the announcement of the performance schedules for this award-winning double-cast production, though always subject to change, need wait no longer!

CARMEN opens on Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th and Friday 15th July with Candice Alcantara as Carmen; Marvin Smith as Escamillo; Feryal Qudourah as Micaëla; Nigel or Richard Pierre as Zuñiga; Arnold Phillip as Moralès; Jacqueline Smith as Frasquita; Patrice Quammie as Mercédès; Kashif Dennis as Dancaïro; Raguel Gabriel as Remendado; Caroline Taylor and Dwight Lewis in the spoken roles of Lillas Pastia and the Guide; and Marlon De Bique or Nigel Floyd as Don José.

The following weekend (Saturday 16th July and Sunday 17th July), Lesley Lewis-Alleyne takes centrestage as Carmen; Arnold Phillip is her Escamillo; Natalia Dopwell is Micaëla; with Garfield Washington as Moralès; Richard Pierre as Zuñiga; Ayrice Wilson and Llettesha Sylvester as Frasquita; Stephan Hernandez and Raguel Gabriel as Dancaïro and Remendado; Caroline Taylor and Dwight Lewis in the spoken roles of Lillas Pastia and the Guide; and Nigel Floyd or Marlon De Bique as Don José.

These award-winning vocalists will be joined by a premiere orchestra of local instrumentalists as well as British string players. “There is a lot of excitement all round,” explains Marionettes Artistic & Musical Director Gretta Taylor. “We had a wonderful experience with our visiting British string players in 2009. Our members learned so much from them, and they were completely stunned by our local talent, and especially the versatility of the steel pan and our musical traditions. We look forward to another cultural exchange with them and are thrilled to present the first production of CARMEN featuring our national instrument, the steel pan, integrated with the traditional Western orchestra.”

Partnering with the Marionettes on this tremendous production are longtime sponsors of 39 years, bpTT; Dr. Vertrelle Mickens of the University of Trinidad & Tobago (UTT); the Noble Douglas Dance Company Inc (NDDCI); members of the Love Movement’s Lights of Love; and a decorated production team including Margaret Sheppard, Randy Halfhide, Celia Wells, Franklin Agarrat, Leslie Clement, Maureen Clement and Giselle Langton.

CARMEN runs over two weekends, opening Saturday 9th and closing Sunday 17th July at Queen’s Hall. Showtimes are 7:30pm, except Sundays which are 5pm. Tickets are $200 open plan and $250 reserved, and available: at the Queen's Hall Box Office, 12pm-6pm daily, tel: (868) 624-1284; online (open plan only) at http://marionettes-carmen.eventbrite.com; and from the Marionettes’ members and administration (email@marionetetschorale.com or (868) 790-1751).

For more information about the production and the choir, photos of the cast and crew, and much more, visit the Marionettes’ brand new website at http://www.marionetteschorale.com and their Marionettes Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/marionetteschorale.

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ABOUT THE MARIONETTES:

Founded in 1964, incorporated as a nonprofit in 2005, and sponsored by bpTT since 1972, the Marionettes Chorale (Hummingbird Medal Gold) is one of the Caribbean's most celebrated choirs, both at home and abroad.  In 1995, the Youth Chorale was formed, comprised of boys and girls from over 30 schools throughout Trinidad & Tobago who regularly share the stage with their senior counterparts. Led since 1974 by conductor Gretta Taylor, assistant musical director Susan Dore and secretary and founder member Joanne Mendes, the choirs mount at least two major productions a year, showcasing a repertoire ranging from European Renaissance to Caribbean Folk and Calypso. Web: http://www.marionetteschorale.com

Photo captions & credits (All photos by Mark lyndersay):

1.     Marionettes Artistic & Musical Director, Gretta Taylor

2.     Candice Alcantara as Carmen, with Jacqueline Smith (left) as Frasquita and Patrice Quammie as Mercédès

3.     Lesley Lewis-Alleyne as Carmen, with Ayrice Wilson (left) and Llettesha Sylvester (right) as Frasquita and Mercédès

4.   The Carmen love quadrangle, with Marvin Smith (far left) as Escamillo; Candice Alcantara as Carmen; Marlon De Bique as Don José; and Feryal Qudourah (far right) as Micaëla

5.     The Carmen love quadrangle, with Arnold Phillip (far left) as Escamillo; Lesley Lewis-Alleyne as Carmen; Nigel Floyd as Don José; and Natalia Dopwell (far right) as Micaëla

6.     The gypsies of Carmen (from left to right): Llettesha Sylvester, Raguel Gabriel, Ayrice Wilson, Candice Alcantara, Kashif Dennis, Lesley Lewis-Alleyne, Stephan Hernandez, Jacqueline Smith, Caroline Taylor and Patrice Quammie

7.     The ladies of Carmen (from left to right): Back row – Ayrice Wilson, Feryal Qudourah, Caroline Taylor & Patrice Quammie. Front row – Natalia Dopwell; Candice Alcantara; Lesley Lewis-Alleyne, Jacqueline Smith & Llettesha Sylvester