Our local university is known for it’s historical music program, and they put on a production of the opera Alcina by Handel. It was sublime, and a treat to see a baroque opera performed in a smaller theater.
Do you ever go to see live theater? What was the last thing that you went to? Or, alternatively, what was your favorite?
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I saw a local college production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson that resulted in some audience members walking out and was adjusted to act as a critique of right-wing populism and Trump.
Oh, this looks really interesting! I bet that was well worth seeing.
About a month ago, I went to a donation-driven community theater improv/Edgar Allen Poe thing.
2025, The Book Of Mormon. I’d actually seen it before, but went with some people who hadn’t. Hit just as good as the first time I saw it.
I’ve heard such mixed reviews. People love it or hate it, but no one says why- what’s good or bad about it. I’d like to see it but have been worried about spending the $ on something we wouldn’t enjoy.
It’s fun and funny, but IMO not that funny … probably hits different for people who know lots of Mormons personally (my sister used to live in SLC and she rates it much higher)
…Magots in my Scrotum!..
My wife and I still randomly say ORLANDO to each other.
The book of Mormon was so damn funny. It blow my mind it has been on Broadway for 15 years.
I don’t know if it is still there, but for the longest time the mormon church had a huge store front right beside the theater with signs that said, you have seen the play now hear the truth.
Same! My girlfriend and I went to see it last year. Occasionally she’ll catch me singing, “Hello! My name is…” so goddamn catchy.
Spamalot. I heard some negative things and wasn’t that excited to see it. However, it was actually quite good and I had a lot of fun.
The last opera I saw was Fellow Travelers by Spears, an 2016 opera based on a novel of the same title about two men who fall in love during the Lavender Scare. It was absolutely heart-rending, just the most tragic love story you could possibly imagine, and the sex scenes were so hot — I don’t think I’d ever seen a fully nude scene at an opera before, even if it was just from behind, and the tenor clearly had spent some time in the gym to prepare. Highly recommend you go see it if you have a chance.
I’ve never heard of this one before; it must be so hard to get a new opera out there! I’m glad people are doing it though. Every production seems like a minor miracle of logistics and ambition.
I see it’s based on a book, I might have to give that a read.
My local opera company does one new opera and two traditional operas every season, so I’ve seen quite a few over the years. The wildest one was definitely The ®evolution of Steve Jobs, a 2017 opera by Bates about the Apple founder.
I kind of want to hate watch that Jobs one!
I appreciate that they’re doing new stuff though! I love historical performance, but I absolutely understand that is a niche interest. If opera is going to survive as an art form (and I think it should), it needs to be a living medium.
The university is putting an a brand new, world premiere opera called That Hellbound Train here in a couple weeks, and I hope to attend.
Ah, a fellow Seattleite. Saw that opening night and was blown away. Usually not a fan of modern operas, but those Gregs knew what they were doing.
I wish they’d go back to four full productions each season. The concert as the fourth performance is just not the same.
Agreed! We tried it out this season and it just wasn’t the same. Gonna be renewing just for the full operas this year.
Ooh, I found a production that a college uploaded to YouTube! I very much prefer to see an opera live, but I’d already accepted that I would never see this production since it’s probably pretty rare.
I’ll definitely give it a watch, thanks for the rec!
Oh that’s awesome! Thanks for sharing the link; I’m gonna rewatch it.
Most Recent: Hamilton.
Favorite: Phantom of the Opera.
Random general love of theatre: Wizard of Oz performed by a group of middle schoolers. They were all really committed to the performance and put on a fun show.
An amateur theater performance can be amazing. Even if a performer is not technically skilled, effort and commitment can often be just as enjoyable.
Very much so!
The first amateur performance I ever saw was a college performance of Assassins 😂
did you hear what happened to last year’s college performance of Assassins?
Saw Mary Jane on Broadway a couple years back, staring the phenomenal Rachel McAdams. It was good, it was very sad, and heartwrenching, and McAdams did a phenomenal job. She has a ton of range, hope she returns to the theater sometime.
The Umbilical Brothers “The Distraction” late last year. Genius comedy.
Seeing them again this Saturday for a repeat of “Speedmouse.” I’ll be wearing my roadie t-shirt (after ironing it)
I see I am amongst people of culture, so I won’t bore you with too many ignoble details. It was last October and my wife and I were on our anniversary trip to the mountains of western North Carolina, and my wife dragged me to one of those musical dinner theaters in Pigeon Forge Tennessee. I’m not going to say which one, because the show was just so god-awful I’m afraid that naming them would seem impolite. It was a patriotic themed show, and the place was maybe a tenth of the way filled at most. I’m one of those people who easily suffer from second-hand embarrassment, and I was cringing so hard it was beginning to manifest into physical discomfort. It couldn’t end fast enough, and when it was over my wife looked at me and actually apologized for inflicting that upon us. I must admit, I had a hard time masking my lack of enthusiasm when she first told me of her plans…
It was either Blue Man Group in New York, or The Vagina Monologues in Chicago. Both were about 25 years ago so I don’t remember which I saw last.
Went to see the Victoria Symphony a few months ago. They did a special to show off their new oboeist(?)
But prior to that its been years since I saw anything on the stage.
Locally written and produced whodunnit dinner theatre. Before that, university produced Othello.
I’ve been wanting to catch an Othello for years now. I’ll see it one of these days!
Our university students really did well. I hope when you see it, it’s excellently done!
Lion King on Tour was last one I saw. It was awesome.
The last live theater I saw was Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Amazingly good. That Cornley theater knows how to put on a great show.
The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged. That’s the title of the show, I’m dead serious. A cast of three, trying to ram their way through all of Shakespeare’s works within two hours. Sonnets included. It’s hilarious.
