The Ohio State University School of Music heads downtown to the historic Lincoln Theatre in February for a grand event honoring Ruby Elzy, Ohio State alumna and trailblazing soprano of the 1930s. Elzy, who headlined at the Apollo and entertained First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House, was handpicked by George Gershwin to create the role of Serena in his masterpiece Porgy and Bess. The event - The Ruby Elzy Story - is co-sponsored by the School of Music and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and is slated for 8 pm, Saturday, February 11, at the recently restored Lincoln Theatre, 769 East Long St.

The program will be narrated by David Weaver, Columbus author of Black Diva of the Thirties - The Life of Ruby Elzy, and will feature students in Ohio State's opera program performing the concert repertoire Elzy experienced at Ohio State and selections from her professional career including highlights from Porgy and Bess. Actual radio recordings of Elzy herself will be woven into the program.

Ohio State Professor C.C. McCracken discovered Ruby Elzy in 1927 at Rust College in Mississippi. He brought her to Columbus to study at the university's new Department of Music, founded two years earlier. She studied with its founder and chair, Royal D. Hughes, who guided her musical development during her three years on campus. That training put her on track for an illustrious career on Broadway and in Hollywood. Elzy died suddenly at the young age of 35, just as she was about to fulfill her dream of singing the role of Aida on the opera stage.

"Ruby Elzy's story is so compelling, and we wanted students in our opera program to embrace her status in American opera history," said Patrick Woliver, associate professor of voice and opera. "The idea expanded into a program students could share with the Ohio State community and beyond. Presenting the event at the historic Lincoln Theatre during the Columbus Bicentennial is the perfect way to share her inspiring story with the Greater Columbus community."

Reserved seat tickets are $15 general public, and $8 senior citizens and students (with ID). Advanced ticket sales through the OSU Theatre Box Office, (614) 292-2295, or the CAPA ticket office, (614) 469-0939.