Opera singer comes home to christen reopened house

Jason Budd, a Hubbard native, will play the title role in ‘Don Pasquale.’

By STEPHANIE OTTEY

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

SHARPSVILLE, Pa. — Great things are returning to the local entertainment scene this month through one history-making production of Donizetti’s opera “Don Pasquale.”

The comedic opera will be the first fully-staged show to be performed in the newly renovated Pierce Opera House in decades.

Through the powers of borough manager Mike Wilson, who purchased the century-old Pierce and Geddes building in 1999, the old opera house will entertain again after 80 years of retirement.

Wilson spent thousands of hours and dollars to rebuild walls, refinish floors, and update the third-floor theater while still maintaining what original features he could in the building at 100 N. Mercer Ave.

The Pierce Opera House is not just boasting its own return, but also that of Jason Budd, an opera singer who is taking on the title role of Don Pasquale.

Budd, originally from Hubbard, has worked hard to become a nationally-known performer in the opera world.

He spent a great deal of time in Florida with Opera Orlando, where he became a staple cast member, and also worked with the Michigan Opera Theatre playing Bartolo in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” and Montfleury in the world premiere of “Cyrano.”

Lately, Budd has been traveling the country in various shows and various roles.

“I love to travel, I love to see new cities, I have no problem being in a hotel room for days on end,” said Budd.

However his schedule has him back where his flourishing career started.

Although Budd got his theatrical toes wet in high school productions of “The Miracle Worker” and “Carnival,” he had his sights set on a slightly different career.

“I was going to school for bowling alley management, and was actually nearing the end of my education on how to maintain lanes when I suffered a bad wrist accident. The injury made it difficult for me to continue, so I had to stop.”

Fate then stepped in and he was reintroduced to an old hobby.

“A friend of mine wanted me to audition for “The Canterbury Tales” at Youngstown State University with her. I assumed it was a play, but sure enough it was a musical. I was cast in the show, and then continued from there.”

Budd began studying theater at YSU, but transitioned into a vocal performance major and soon found himself in the studio of Allan Mosher, who is coincidentally the director of the upcoming “Don Pasquale” performance.

Since then he has studied with acclaimed vocal instructor Andreas Poulinenos and signed with Pinnacle Arts Management, an agency that specializes in vocalists.

Budd has also recorded two albums: one of Christmas music and the other of Broadway classics. Both are available for purchase at www.jasonbudd.com.

Now his career has come full-circle as he returns home in a new role.

“I’ve always wanted to play Don Pasquale, and to have the opportunity to play the role close to home makes the opportunity even better. ”

“Don Pasquale” is an Italian comedic opera centering on the title character and his escapades in love. As it opens, Don Pasquale explains that he has some important announcements for his nephew, Ernesto. The first is that he would like Ernesto to marry a wealthy woman of good social standing. Ernesto is distraught because his heart belongs to Norina, a girl whom Don Pasquale does not approve. Don Pasquale goes on to say that he has plans for his own marriage to his good friend’s sister. That good friend is Dr. Malatesta, who is also an ally to Ernesto. Dr. Malatesta has invented a sister in order to trick Don Pasquale into letting Ernesto marry the woman he loves. As Dr. Malatesta, Ernesto, and Norina carry out their romantic charade, chaos and comedy ensue.

When asked about his experience in playing Don Pasquale, Budd says, “It’s interesting. I’m still working on getting to know him. For me there are still some unanswered questions. He changes his attitude quickly and that’s a challenging thing to grasp.”

Despite Budd’s humility, Don Pasquale is a type of part that he is not unfamiliar with.

A solid baritone, Budd has been praised for his ability to enliven “Buffo” characters, which are male characters in opera that are comedic or clownish.

“Comedy comes naturally to me… That’s probably because I started out in theater,” said Budd.

Most characters in opera are derivatives of the Commedia Del Arte, a medieval form of improvisational theater in which actors portray caricatures of certain personality types rather than specific people; hence titles like “Buffo” are used in modern opera. Don Pasquale fits into this title very well.

Alongside Budd will be two other local talents: Corinne Morini and Matthew Miles. Tristan Cano will conduct in this grand re-opening of the opera house, which will benefit the local historical society.