DANBURY, CONN. — The Western Connecticut State University Opera will perform “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Miraculous Staircase” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2013, in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.

“Little Red Riding Hood,” by Seymour Barab, integrates life lessons into the famous tale in a humorous way. “Little Red Riding Hood” stars Kaitlyn Bogue, of Oxford, in the title role; Wesley Marchena, of New Milford, as the wolf; Diana Rock, of South Windsor, as the mother; Katelyn Gavagan, of Torrington, as the grandmother; and Ben Townsend, of Clinton, as the woodsman.

“The Miraculous Staircase” is a world premiere of a new opera by West Hartford composer Richard Chiarappa, and is based on a true story of the famous staircase built in the Loretta Chapel in Santa Fe, N.M. Built without central support and defying engineering logic, the staircase stands today as a popular tourist attraction. “The Miraculous Staircase” features a small cast of nuns, including Sarah Peterson, of West Hartford; Kelly Shemeth, of Berlin; Courtney Liscio, of West Haven; and Jilian Saber, of Redding. Other performers include Louise Carrozza, of Meriden, as the young blind girl; David Sylvia, of Stratford, as the carpenter; and Stephen Wynn, of Greenwich, as the bishop.

The event is open to the public and donations to support the WCSU Department of Music will be accepted. For more information, visit www.wcsu.edu/music/concerts.asp or call (203) 837-8350.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.