Pikes Peak Opera League Winter Wonder Fest

A tuneful exploration of a very special chapter in The Great American Songbook, Marcia and Steve take on the legendary composer Jerome Kern, once hailed by a joint Congressional resolution as, “the father of American musical theatre.”  Expect to be intrigued by historical insights while being serenaded with a musical feast of iconic songs including highlights from the celebrated musical Showboat.  This showcase of “life upon the wicked stage” could not be more heavenly and will leave you humming all the way home.

There will be an elegant appetizer buffet and cash bar. All proceeds will go to our PPOL scholarship and Career award funds.

Program Sponsors: Tiemens Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Dr. Susan Rae Jensen and Tom Trainer, and Nicole de Naray.

Marcia Ragonetti Bio:

A veteran of opera, concert and musical theater stages as well as intimate cabaret spaces, Marcia Ragonetti has earned acclaim for her stellar singing and acting and was hailed by one critic as “a perfectly splendid mezzo.” She has been associated with Opera Colorado since its inception in 1982, having performed more than 24 leading and featured roles including singing at the gala inauguration of “The Ellie” in 2005, followed by its acclaimed production of “Carmen” with Denyce Graves. She has also appeared frequently with, to name a few, Central City Opera, Colorado Symphony Orchestra (22 times in wide-ranging repertoire), Opera Fort Collins, Opera Theatre of the Rockies (both as a director and an artist) summer festivals in Vail, Crested Butte, Chapel Hill, NC and Chihuahua – Boulder. Marcia is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Cornell University where she received a B.A. and M.A. in psycholinguistics and English literature.

Steven Taylor Bio:

Recently named as Best Performer in a Musical for 2021 by Broadway World for the Denver Region for his role as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof with Ovation West, Steven is an active performer in concert, onstage and as a voice actor, Steven currently performs as the Apostle Luke with Blue Gospel Scripts’ monthly presentations at the Soiled Dove Underground. His versatile singing career ranges from opera and oratorio to musical theatre, gospel, and jazz. Steven has been a featured soloist three times in Carnegie Hall, has appeared onstage with Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, Opera Ft. Collins, Opera Theatre of the Rockies, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, and Ovation West; and in concert with major symphonies and choral organizations throughout the west including the Colorado Ballet and the Denver Brass.

As a member of LEGACY Quartet, Steven has performed concert tours in Canada, Cuba, Australia, and South Korea. Often sought after as a teaching artist and narrator, Steven serves as Dean of the School of Music at Colorado Christian University.