Former mayor trades politics for Puccini in Idaho Falls opera production
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IDAHO FALLS – Former Ammon Mayor Sean Coletti will lead a small cast of actors in an upcoming opera theatre production.
Idaho Falls Opera Theatre is performing Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi & Buoso’s Ghost” on April 10, 11 and 13 at the Idaho Falls Frontier Center for the Performing Arts.
The comedic opera, which takes place in Florence, Italy in 1299, tells the story of the distraught Donati Family after the passing of the wealthy family patriarch, Buoso. Somehow, Schicchi enters the picture and tricks the family into changing Buoso’s will.
The second half of the opera involving Buoso’s ghost was not written by Puccini. Coletti tells EastIdahoNews.com a different composer wrote it in the late 20th century to resolve what he felt were unanswered questions in the original opera.
“He wanted to try to answer (those questions) in his own way,” Coletti says.
Although the opera is traditionally in Italian, the local production will be in English.
The most famous song from the play is “O Mio Babbino Caro,” which is heard in many movies, including at the beginning of Pixar’s “Luca.”
Coletti will play the role of Schicchi in the play. He’s one of about a dozen actors in the production.
“There’s a lot of twists and turns in the show that you might not expect. It’s a good show,” says Coletti.
Lonna Joy Smoot and Monique Mapes are the play’s directors. Smoot, according to her bio on Idaho Falls Opera Theatre’s Facebook page, has performed a wide range of operatic and musical theater roles throughout her life. She has a bachelors degree in music education from Utah State University and a masters degree in vocal performance from Brigham Young University. She’s currently an adjunct faculty member at Brigham Young University–Idaho.
Mapes has a master of arts in theatre and is a member of the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre board of directors.
“She has always loved singing and performing … and is very excited to work with the cast,” her bio says.
Roger Evans is the music director.
The cast and special guests
Coletti, an attorney by profession, has a long background in musical theater and he says he got involved after Smoot reached out to him.
“Lonna reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in being a part of it,” says Coletti.
Sean has been involved in music since childhood. His parents, Jeff Coletti, and his mom, Cindy, both sing. Jeff was a high school teacher in St. Anthony for many years, and Cindy is a longtime voice and piano teacher.
Sean took voice lessons early on and performed in choirs and musicals in college.
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His annual Messiah Sing-in at Thunder Ridge High School has become a staple at Christmastime, and he recently played Pontius Pilate in “The Lamb of God.” He also appeared in an Ammon Arts Community Theatre production of “The Secret Garden.”
Other cast members include Charity Butterfield, Madison Barton-Holloway, Lisa Barker, Alex Withers, Ella Parish, and more.
This production of “Giannia Schicchi” will feature several local celebrities playing the part of Buoso on different nights. Among them is our own Nate Eaton, who will be making his stage debut.
Eaton says he’s honored to be a small part of the production.
“In a cast full of remarkable singers and performers, I’m proud to contribute in the one way I’m qualified — by playing the dead guy. I’m honored to perform with such a great group of people and the audience can breathe a sigh of relief knowing I won’t be doing any singing,” Eaton says.
Other special guests include Josh Tielor, co-host of Wake Up Classy 97 with his wife, Chantel. Idaho Falls City Councilman John Radford will also take a turn as Buoso.
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Coletti stepped down in December after two terms as the mayor of Ammon. He made an unsuccessful bid for state legislator in the May 2024 Republican Primary, when he ran against incumbent Wendy Horman in District 32, who has since taken a job with the Donald Trump Administration.
Coletti was a partner at Hopkins Roden Crockett Hansen & Hoopes, a law firm in Idaho Falls for many years. He currently serves as general counsel for the Idaho Environmental Coalition.
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Several months out of office, Coletti says there are aspects of being mayor that he misses, but he’s glad to let somebody else take the reins. He says he has no immediate plans to run for office, and is enjoying being out of politics right now.
As rehearsals wind down and showtime approaches, Coletti is encouraging the community to see the show and support local theater.
“These (actors) are all volunteers, but they do a great job. It will be a fun night at the opera,” he says. “I think people will enjoy it.”
To buy tickets or learn more, click here.