NATCHITOCHES – Jessica Lopez feels she found the perfect character to play in her first major role at Northwestern State University.

     Lopez, a vocal music education major from Henderson, Texas, plays Hanna Glawari, the object of attention in The Merry Widow, which will be performed Nov. 11, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.

     The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar is the story of a rich widow, played by Lopez, who is attempting to find a husband.

     “She is the widow and everyone is trying to get with her, some for love and some for money,” said Lopez. “I really wanted this part. I felt I could take on the challenge. I couldn’t have found a better character. I am perfect for her. There is a lot of me in her. I don’t seek attention, but it is how she carries herself. She is very confident.  It was not hard for me to develop the character and put it all together.”

     Lopez thinks The Merry Widow will be enjoyable for a wide audience including those who have never attended an opera.

     “The show is going to be great. There is nothing complicated about it,” said Lopez. “This would be a good opera to see if you have never seen one before. The audience will like the different characters that range from funny to serious and the events that take place. There is good interplay between the characters.”

     The Merry Widow is a collaboration between the NSU Opera Theatre, Northwestern Theatre and Dance and the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra.

     “I spend my time in the music area, so I don’t get a chance to work with the people in theatre,” said Lopez. “Our goal was for everyone to work together and we have done that. I have made some friendships I wouldn’t have had. Now we are a big group of friends.”

     Lopez said knowing Fernando Barrow, who plays Count Danilo Danilovitch, has helped her in rehearsal.

     “Fernando and I play characters who love each other but are always bickering. We are good friends and that has made it much easier,” she said.

     Lopez was first runner up in the 2009 Miss Northwestern Lady of the Bracelet Pageant. She is a recipient of the Sigma Alpha Iota Undergraduate Scholarship and the Imogene Holmes Scholarship. Lopez is a Dean’s List student. Getting a part in Pirates of Penzance in the spring 2008 semester spurred her to seek other roles.

     “My mother always encouraged me to sing and I did that,” said Lopez. “Then I began to solo in the church choir and in school. Until recently, I didn’t realize I loved the performance aspect of it. I am doing what I love and hope to perform more.”

     Barry Stoneking is the stage director and choreographer and Michael Rorex is the musical director and vocal coach. Douglas Bakenhus will conduct the orchestra.

     Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for senior citizens. Northwestern State, Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts and BPCC@NSU students are admitted free with a current I.D. Tickets for all other students are $8. For ticket information, call (318) 357-4483.