Concord’s Solo Opera hoping the show will go on
In this new age of the coronavirus, theater companies and performers are finding a variety of ways to continue practicing their art using Internet streaming, Facebook Live and Zoom webinars.
Concord’s Solo Opera, however, hopes to present its production of Derrick Wang’s “Scalia/Ginsburg” the old-fashioned way – in front of a live audience.
“We remain optimistic that we will still be able to produce this work,” said artistic director Sylvia Amorino. “Our staff is working tirelessly from home to share this exciting new opera with our audiences.”
The show is scheduled for 8 p.m. Aug. 14 and 2:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts. Amorino is cautiously hopeful the shelter-in-place will be lifted by then.
“The performers have been working on the music, and we won’t need a long rehearsal time to get this production ready for audiences,” she noted.
Inspired by the opinions of U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia, the opera highlights their unlikely bipartisan friendship and mutual love of opera. It features Nikki Einfeld as Ginsburg and Christopher Bengochea as Scalia, with Kirk Eichelberger as the commentator.
For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW or go to lesherartscenter.org.
Update on Center REP
With Walnut Creek’s Center Repertory Company’s production of “Pride and Prejudice” on hold, artistic director Michael Butler shared an update on the company via video.
“We were half-way through rehearsals with this fabulous cast when we had to stop. The set was completely built, painted and waiting to be loaded into the theater.”
On the video, he showed the scale model of the set by designer Angrette McCloskey. He also noted that the renderings of the gorgeous costumes designed by Victoria Livingston-Hall are available to see on the website, along with a short video about the interesting work being done in the costume shop.
“There was so much wild and wonderful work being created during rehearsals,” Butler said. Then, of course, it all stopped.
But, according to Butler, there is good news. “The set and costumes are being packed away ready to come out of their hibernation, the cast is ready and raring to go and that’s what we’re going to do in the fall.”
Adding “Pride and Prejudice” along with “In the Heights,” another canceled show, into next season has Butler anticipating a really exciting 2020-’21 lineup. He plans on posting new videos with updates on the season as they happen. To keep up with Center Rep, go to centerrep.org.
Singing to yourself
If you love to sing, try “Quarantine Cabaret.” In the Facebook group created by JB Presents, members post videos or links to share a song, musical number, monologue, clip or scene from a past show or a show that was canceled due to COVID-19. Look for more information at jbpresents.org.
Sally Hogarty is a well-known Bay area actress, editor of the Orinda News and arts columnist for the East Bay Times. Contact her at sallyhogarty@gmail.com.