Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, performed on the Ohio Theatre stage on October 23 (8 p.m.) and 25 (2 p.m.), 2009, tells the tragic story of a traveling troupe of actors who perform a play throughout the course of the opera. Nedda , Canio's wife, is having an affair with Silvio . Tonio, in love with Nedda, reveals this to Canio, who must decide how to make the show go on while dealing with a broken heart. Unfortunately, the action of the play mirrors that of Nedda and Canio's relationship and tragic consequences ensue as theatre and real life blur in this verismo shocker.

Sung in Italian with English supertitles, the opera will be directed by William Florescu, conducted by William Boggs and accompanied by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.