Photo by James Coletta
Rosé Mansion is an interactive wine tasting adventure that combines a wine bar, a insta-worthy amusement park, and a science museum all into one epic dream park. Taste 8 different Rosés from around the world as you experience 14 magical rooms and RoséLand, the greatest wine-themed playground on the planet.
The new-and-improved pop-up museum opened its 32,000 sq. ft. space on June 1, 2019, with plans to run for the next two years.
This one-night Broadway concert presentation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods at New York City’s Town Hall was presented by Cleveland Musical Theatre (since renamed New City Musical Theatre), featuring Broadway actors with connections to Ohio. The cast included Tony winner Alice Ripley (Next to Normal) as the Witch, Tony nominee Tony Yazbeck (On The Town) as the Baker, Kate Shindle (Fun Home) as the Baker’s Wife, and Betsy Wolfe (Waitress) as Cinderella. Miles J. Sternfeld served as the director, with choreography by Martín Céspedes, scenic design by Gabriel Firestone, costume design by Sydney Gallas, lighting design by Zach Blane, sound design by Patrick La Chance, and hair/makeup design by Robbie Amodeo. “A warm and enjoyable production brimming with talent.” Michael Dale, Broadway World. Photo: Katy Beth Barber
Little Opera Theatre of NY presented Benjamin Britten’s Owen Wingrave at the GK Arts Center from May 9th to May 11th, 2019. A tale adapted from a ghost story by Henry James, the opera tells a story of Owen’s own struggle with his conscience and ideas of pacifism despite his family history of warriors and high expectations that he would follow. The haunting story succeeds at shocking the audience once they learn that this opera is a ghost story rather than a commentary against war and violence. “Shneidman’s attractive production, with evocative lighting and costumes by Josh Smith and Lara de Bruin, respectively, stays faithful to the story as written, which is appreciated when mounting a work as infrequently produced as Owen Wingrave” (Tietjen).
Director--- Philip Shneidman
Scenic & Lighting Designer ---Josh Smith
Costume Designer ---Lara de Bruijn
Projection Designer --- Alex Basco Koch
Photographer --- Tina Buckman
Opera Naples presented Carmen, written by Georges Bizet, on April 24-25, 2019, at Artis-Naples in Naples, FL. The cast, making up 96 roles, invited audience members "into Don Jose's cell, where he sees events of the last year float around him like a dream turned nightmare" (Heithaus). Artistic Director Ramón Tebar conducted the Naples Philharmonic for this true-to-novella version of Carmen.
As part of the 2019 New York OperaFest, The Bronx Opera presented Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado from April 27 to May 5, 2019. Director Benjamin Spierman showcased a classic opera in the style of late-night television for some delightful musical comedy.
In 2019, The Bronx Opera presented its second imagining of Menotti's The Consul since the company's founding in 1967. Set and costume design by the late Meganne George showcased a "prison-like" environment of scaffolding, giving the Secretary "a raised, isolating island of power" (Gelbert). The production ran from January 12 to January 20, 2019 at the Lovinger Theatre.
Randy Cummings, Bunn Hill Photo
Renowned Gilbert & Sullivan Expert Nicolas Wuerhman makes his TCO Directorial Debut with H.M.S. Pinafore. Recent winner of the American Prize in Opera Conducting, Joshua Horsch led the 35-piece orchestra at the Forum Theatre in Binghamton, NY, on April 29th, 2019. This 36-person cast capped off the end of Tri-Cities Opera's 2018-2019 season.