Justin John Moniz Leads THE STUDENT PRINCE at Opera Grand Rapids, Beginning Today

For tenor Justin John Moniz, the prince is a role he's quite familiar with. From Cinderella's Prince in both Sondheim's Into the Woods and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, to Prince Tamino in Mozart's Die Zauberflo?te, and now Prince Karl Franz in Romberg's The Student Prince, Moniz will make his return to the throne this June.

What happens when a prince who, destined to marry a princess, falls in love with a barmaid on his university campus? Presented to audiences in Beer City, USA, is a coming-of-age love story set in a Heidelberg biergarten.

Opera Grand Rapids' upcoming production of The Student Prince, runs June 9-12, starring American-tenor Justin John Moniz in the title role.

"The Student Prince is very near and dear to my heart, and, in fact, has followed me through much of the early stages of my career," said Moniz. "In 2012, I performed many of the show's famous numbers during Opera New Jersey's operetta gala. The 2014 season brought the opportunity to sing Detlef in Utah Festival Opera's wonderfully charming production at the Ellen Eccles Theatre. It's a dream to finally perform the title role with Opera Grand Rapids during the 2016 season, something I have been looking forward to since last summer."

As the winner of the 2015 American Prize in Voice - Chicago Musical Theater Award, Moniz made his Chicago Symphony Center debut at age 25. He has performed over 60 roles on both operatic and musical theatre stages across the country. His versatility and flexibility make him an artist like few others.

"Justin does it all-opera, operetta, musical theatre, you name it," says agent, Maritza Pita, on behalf of MIA Artists Management. "We signed Justin in 2014, and have been regularly doing our best to keep up with his busy schedule ever since. He is one of the select artists on our roster that is in high demand by both opera and musical theatre companies alike."

During the 2014/15 season, Moniz starred alongside Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) in DreamCatcher Theatre's production of Sondheim's Into the Woods, at the Adrienne Arsht Center. In the same season, his repertoire spanned Verdi, Puccini, Gilbert & Sullivan, and Rodgers & Hammerstein.

"Singing different genres is exciting, but it's not just the music that does it for me. Getting to portray a new role allows me the opportunity to tell a new story," says Moniz. "As a professional storyteller, this is what ignites my passion for being onstage. I believe that we use stories to make sense of our world and share that understanding with others. We tell stories because there is something to share, something to be learned, and encouragement to be gained. We find comfort in knowing that others have conquered challenges and fears similar to our own. This is what inspires me to tell stories."

Moniz has previously shared stories with the audiences of Sarasota Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, Opera Company of Middlebury, DreamCatcher Theatre/Adrienne Arsht Center, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Orchestra Miami, Orchestra of Northern New York, and Gulfshore Opera, among others.

Moniz continues to earn great acclaim for his "comic chops and huge voice." Lauded by the South Florida Classical Review as a "superb high tenor" and a "vocal standout," his "refined" work has also been praised by the Miami Herald and Cape Cod Times.

Justin John Moniz's upcoming appearance with Opera Grand Rapids marks his role and company debut.

"The Student Prince"

by Sigmund Romberg June 9, 10 & 12, 2016

St. Cecilia Music Center

Tickets for "The Student Prince" are available through Ticketmaster and the Opera Grand Rapids Box Office, (616) 451-2741 or 1320 East Fulton Street. For additional details, including cast lists and production synopses, visit operagr.org/the-student-prince.

Located in the heart of West Michigan, Opera Grand Rapids is the state's longest-running professional opera production company. Through the creativity and excellence of this timeless art form, Opera Grand Rapids enriches the West Michigan community and provides unique and powerful experiences that move people of all ages and backgrounds. Opera Grand Rapids' productions are produced and presented locally in West Michigan. For the productions, Opera Grand Rapids engages a cast of internationally acclaimed artists, stage directors, conductors, choreographers, set designers, costume designers, and others, in addition to the regional Grand Rapids Symphony, and Opera Grand Rapids Chorus and Children's Chorus.

Photo Credit: Tom Newton

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