(Credit: veramarinerstudio)

Skylark Opera Theatre has revealed that for its 2019 production, the company will steer away from the world of opera and embrace musical theater with “The Most Happy Fella.”

The work, by Frank Loesser, will be directed by Bob Neu and will feature Bill Marshall and Sarah Lawrence. Performances are set for Oct. 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20, 2019 at the Mounds Theatre.

This is the first time in several years that the company moves into the realm of musical theater as its most recent seasons have placed a heavy emphasis on the opera repertory. In 2017-18, the company showcased “The Tragedy of Carmen” and “Don Giovanni,” followed by a season that showcased “As One” in the fall of 2018 before following it up with Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte.”

“The Most Happy Fella is everyone’s favorite musical they’re never seen. For lovers of music theater, the piece is somehow solidly part of our internal repertoire but yet very few of us have actually seen a production – and this is probably because the piece is darned difficult to cast and produce. It requires strong (almost operatic) voices with great acting skills, and it requires a production that can clearly communicate an epic story that is filled with hope, longing, redemption and love. We think Skylark Opera Theatre is up to fulfilling these demands. We look forward to bringing it to the Twin Cities,“ Neu stated in a press release.