Show & Tell

SHOW & TELL CURTAIN CALL

By Mark Bretz Photos and graphics courtesy of OTSL

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has had a long wait to return to what its “regular” season last looked like, back in 2019.

After canceling its 2020 season, OTSL proceeded with an outdoor season in 2021, held on the parking lot of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Webster University in Webster Groves. Included in the four-show season was a rare performance of African American composer William Grant Still’s “Highway 1, U.S.A.,” as well as a spirited version of Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi,” Poulenc’s “La Voix Humaine” and OTSL’s original “New Works, Bold Voices Lab 3.”

Now, in its 2022 season, OTSL is presenting four fresh productions, including a pair of world premieres. It all began last week, on Saturday, May 21, with the opening-night performance of Bizet’s classic “Carmen,” the first of eight presentations through June 25.

Daniela Candillari, who earlier this year was named OTSL’s first principal conductor with a three-year appointment, is conducting members of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra in this version of “Carmen.” Sarah Mesko stars in the title role, with Adam Smith and Christian Pursell in the parts of her lovers, Don Jose and Escamillo, respectively. Rodula Gaitanou serves as stage director.

Another perennial favorite, Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” will open on Saturday, May 28, and also will be performed eight times during the 2022 season. Rory Macdonald will conduct, and Omer Ben Seadia will handle direction of a cast featuring Joshua Blue, Erica Petrocelli, Jeni Houser, Johnathan McCullough, Adam Lau and Christian Sanders.

“Awakenings,” based on the book by Dr. Oliver Sacks, is a world premiere opera that tells the true story of Sacks’ temporarily successful treatment of so-called sleeping sickness, encephalitis lethargica, a condition that plunged thousands of victims into catatonia in the 20th century. Experimenting with an early medication called L-Dopa for Parkinson’s disease in the 1960s, Sacks was able to “awaken” many such patients, albeit temporarily.

This version by Tobias Picker and Aryeh Lev Stollman, coproduced by OTSL and Tulsa Opera, will be directed by OTSL artistic director James Robinson and conducted by Roberto Kalb, with Jarrett Porter portraying Sacks. “Awakenings” will open June 5.

The fourth production will be the “World Premiere of a New Performing Edition” of “Harvey Milk,” according to OTSL’s season news release, commissioned by Opera Parallele and OTSL. Known as “The Mayor of Castro Street,” Milk was a passionate adherent of gay rights in San Francisco in the 1970s who later became a member of San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors.

Carolyn Kuan will conduct the production, with co-direction by James Robinson and choreographer Sean Curran. The cast will include Thomas Glass in the title role, Alek Shrader as White and Nathan Stark as Moscone, plus Jonathan Johnson, Raquel Gonzalez, Mack Wolz and Xiao Xiao. Performances will begin June 11.

Additionally, OTSL will present “Music as the Message: Sing On, Sing On” on June 7 in partnership with Jazz St. Louis as part of the Black Music Month celebration. Curated by soprano, writer, poet and educator Adrienne Danrich, the free performance at The Grandel in St. Louis’ Grand Center Arts District will celebrate Black artistry across decades and feature local artists and members of the 2022 OTSL Festival Season.

Continuing its 2021 commitment to equity in opera, OTSL will expand Phyllis’ Seats, a 2021 initiative providing free seats to every OTSL performance, named in honor of the late Phyllis Brissenden, one of OTSL’s most generous supporters. For each performance, 50 tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be reserved online or by phone the week of the show. Regarding the free seats, Andrew Jorgensen, OTSL’s general director, has noted: “When our beloved [Life Member of the board of directors] Phyllis Brissenden died and left us a bequest, we wanted to honor her memory in the very best way possible. We hope people who are unsure about opera or who are unsure about their budgets will get to enjoy a production thanks to this program and Phyllis’ generosity. We chose not to put any limits or caveats on these tickets, and thus, it is a first-ofits-kind program.”

Audience members will need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test before entering the Loretto-Hilton Center. OTSL is strongly encouraging patrons to wear masks, although that is not a requirement.

As usual for OTSL, all performances will be sung in English, and supertitles will be available. For ticket information, visit experienceopera.org/tickets.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (Administrative Offices), Sally S. Levy Opera Center, 210 Hazel Ave., St. Louis, 314-961-0171, experienceopera.org

BR AND AVE. STUDIOS CONTENT

Time for a Gateway Getaway

Sponsored content by Mary McHugh, Brand Ave. Studios contributing writer

Vacation season is upon us. Yet tight budgets, busy schedules and travel restrictions can make getting away challenging. Fortunately, St. Louis has a wealth of treasures to enjoy right here in town.

Some lovingly call this a “staycation” or “being a tourist at home.” We call it a Gateway Getaway!

A Gateway Getaway, or GG, is any time you and your people get out and experience the St. Louis region from a fresh perspective. It begins with a $5 unlimited Metro Day Pass — and ends almost anywhere you want to be.

So where will your Gateway Getaway take you? Here are a few ideas from Metro Transit to get you started.

Just steps from Metro’s Forest Park/DeBaliviere stop sits Forest Park, one of the greatest civic treasures of St. Louis. Home to the Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center, the Missouri History Museum, The Muny, the always-free Saint Louis Zoo and much more.

Metro’s Grand stop delivers you to the cultural beating heart of St. Louis, The Grand Center Arts District. The world-renowned Fabulous Fox Theatre is just the beginning. Theater, art installations, drinks and dining — it’s all here.

Sports fan? Hop off the train at the Metro Stadium stop for Cardinals baseball at iconic Busch Stadium. No game, no problem; Ballpark Village across the street brings game-day atmosphere and ballpark vibes seven days a week.

Or if sports aren ’t your jam, Metro’s Civic Center stop drops you directly in front of the Enterprise Center and Stifel Theatre, where the biggest names in music and comedy perform.

Hungry? Take a culinary journey through the South Grand Dining District on one of Metro’s clean and quiet new electric MetroBuses — just catch the #70 bus at Metro’s Grand stop so you can keep your eyes (and stomach) trained on the most diverse strip of restaurants in St. Louis.

Step off the train at Metro’s Central West End stop, and step into the Central West End, named one of the nation’ s top 10 neighborhoods by the American Planning Association. You’ll find boutique shopping and a wide variety of bars and restaurants set amidst historic homes and tree-lined boulevards — not to mention it’s home to the World Chess Hall of Fame.

For a unique blend of college town and big city vibes, take in the Delmar Loop — located right alongside (you guessed it) Metro’s Delmar Loop stop. It’s home to legendary hangout Blueberry Hill, record stores, vintage clothing shops, must-see music venues The Pageant and Delmar Hall, the “unique boutique” Moonrise Hotel and more.

Adrenaline junkies take note: Metro’s Union Station stop looms in the shadow of the 200-foot-high St. Louis Wheel! Or set your sights even higher (literally) — Metro’s Laclede’s Landing stop takes you right to the base of the iconic Gateway Arch. Take in the view at 630 feet (!) and then unwind with a riverboat cruise (and a beverage) on the Mighty Mississippi.

Download the Transit app and start exploring today. Visit metrostlouis.org for more information.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY METRO TRANSIT

This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios.The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept to production and distribution. For more information contact sales@brandavestudios.com.

at the

Garden

Friday, June 3 5-7pm

Join Feast Magazine as we celebrate the release of the June issue highlighting St. Louis Remixes! Enjoy live music, tasty bites from local food trucks and beverages from the Canteen – all while honoring the food-and-drink pros who are reimagining the local culinary scene!

For more information, visit feastmagazine.com/garden

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