The Ohio Valley Symphony Presents “The Voices” – March 9th

You will be enchanted by this bass-baritone and soprano duet as they bring classical and broadway numbers to the Ariel Theatre stage along with the one and only Ohio Valley Symphony. Read more for Bio & Full Song List.

JOHN and NANCY SHUFFLE bring a wealth of performing experience to their theatrical stage and concert appearances, having collectively essayed over 170 roles in their combined careers. They have garnered numerous awards on both the national and regional levels and have produced 8 solo and duet recordings currently to their credit. Two of their CDs, featuring Broadway standards repertoire, were recorded and produced in association with their good friend and colleague, the renowned and legendary Pianist and Musical Director, JOEY SINGER.

John Shuffle’s diverse performing career as a musician and veteran singing actor has included concert and stage appearances in some 32 states, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Finland, England and Israel. His huge performing repertoire, encompassing opera, oratorio, Broadway revues and inspirational venues, includes credits with orchestras, theater companies and Artists Series’ in Chicago, Sydney (AU), Los Angeles, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Phoenix, Brunswick (ME), Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Denver, Birmingham(UK), Geneva (SW), Indianapolis, Helsinki, Auckland, Buffalo, Cleveland, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Boise, Evansville, Eugene, Green Bay, Louisville, Lexington, Columbus, Fort Wayne, Madison, Ann Arbor, Charleston(WV), Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Raleigh, Dayton and Des Moines, among numerous others. Among his favorite stage portrayals are the leading comedic roles in the operas DON GIOVANNI, COSI FAN TUTTE, MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, MARRIAGE OF FIGARO, ITALIAN GIRL IN ALGIERS, DIE FLEDERMAUS, LA CENERENTOLA, GIANNI SCHICCHI, DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT, BARBER OF SEVILLE, ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO and all of the major Gilbert &Sullivan repertoire; as well as his more dramatic portrayals in THE MAGIC FLUTE, LA BOHEME, ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, BORIS GODUNOV, TROUBLE IN TAHITI, TOSCA, CARMEN, LA TRAVIATA, LUCIA, PILGRIMS PROGRESS and TURANDOT. One of his starring vehicles as the Poet/Hajj in the musical KISMET was hailed as a “Critics Pick” by the Chicago music press…“John Shuffle’s wily vagabond is a glorious theatrical achievement.” Performing the “title” role of Henry VIII in the World Premier staged revival of Richard Rodgers’ REX, his portrayal was personally hailed by its original lyricist, Pulitzer Prize-winning Sheldon Harnick.

Nancy Williams Shuffle has regularly delighted her theater audiences with her acting versatility and personal stage magnetism as a leading role singer/actress since 1991 in some 70-plus different musical theater productions, also singing countless other Artist Series engagements in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, California, New York and Indiana, all in addition to several international appearances including Australia, Finland, England and Israel. Inclusive among her most favorite stage portrayals are Marian in THE MUSIC MAN, Hope Harcourt in ANYTHING GOES, Lily in THE SECRET GARDEN, Sarah Brown in GUYS AND DOLLS, Julie Jordan in CAROUSEL, Alice Beane in TITANIC, Rosa Bud in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, Rhetta Cupp in PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS, Anna in THE KING AND I, Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the co-female lead in the satirically brilliant I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, Daisy Hilton in SIDESHOW, Pam in BABY, the puppeteering comic genius Sister Mary Amnesia in NUNSENSE, NUNSENSE II, NUNCRACKERS and NUNSENSATIONS! and Casilda in G&S’s THE GONDOLIERS, among numerous others. She also recently portrayed Catherine of Aragon in the staged, World Premier revival of Richard Rodgers’ musical REX, where the original lyricist, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Sheldon Harnick, personally hailed her performance as “particularly wonderful.” Her press reviews have also otherwise glowed, stating “she…(possessed) outstanding vocal and acting talents, showcased in her wonderful portrayal…her voice is awesome…excellent…first-class…a beautiful voice.”

The Voices

JOHN and NANCY WILLIAMS-SHUFFLE

Bass-Baritone and Soprano

Overture to THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (LE NOZZE DI FIGARO) W. A. Mozart

Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo (“Reach out to him, I pray” from COSÌ FAN TUTTE) W. A. Mozart

…..Mr. Shuffle

Je dis, que rien ne m’épouvante (“I say, nothing frightens me” from CARMEN) G. Bizet …..Ms. Williams-Shuffle

Là ci darem la mano (“There will my arms enfold you” from DON GIOVANNI) W. A. Mozart

…..Duet

Cortigiani, vil razza dannata (“Courtiers, you vile race” from RIGOLETTO) G. Verdi

…..Mr. Shuffle

Laughing Song (from DIE FLEDERMAUS) J. Strauss, Jr.

…..Ms. Williams-Shuffle

Waltz Duet (from THE MERRY WIDOW) F. Lehar

…..Duet

INTERMISSION

Overture to KISMET Wright & Forrest

And This is My Beloved (from KISMET) Wright & Forrest …..Ms. Williams-Shuffle

Stranger in Paradise (from KISMET) Wright & Forrest

…..Duet

By Strauss (from AN AMERICAN IN PARIS) G. Gershwin

…..Ms. Williams-Shuffle

Some Enchanted Evening (from SOUTH PACIFIC) R. Rodgers

…..Mr. Shuffle

You Are Love (from SHOWBOAT) J. Kern …..Duet

Overture to THE KING AND I R. Rodgers