Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City Present 'The Second City Guide to the Opera'

The Second City Guide to the Opera, a collaboration of Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City, will have a month-long run onstage at the Civic Opera House May 31-June 30.

This follows the hugely successful, sold-out one-night-only January show that packed the entire Ardis Krainik Theatre.

The 23-show summer series will have audience members seated onstage for an intimate and laugh-filled cabaret-style experience - the first series of its kind ever at the Civic Opera House.

Seating is general admission with three tiers: Prima Donna ($75), Tenor ($45), Bass ($35). Capacity is approximately 350. Prima Donna patrons will be seated in lounge-style seating. Tenor patrons will be at cabaret-style tables, and Bass patrons will be on risers.

Wait staff will provide table service - full bar selection and light savories prepared by Jewell Events Catering - starting 75 minutes before the show starts, with beverage and light food service continuing throughout the evening.

"It's comedy-club ambiance on the stage of the Civic Opera House," says Lyric Opera general director Anthony Freud. In addition to comedic improvisation, the show will include completely new sketches as well as a reprise of some of the best material created for last January's show, including one or more scenes featuring the highly popular "Doctor Opera."

The month-long run will feature Second City ensemble members Joey Bland*, Molly Brennan,Lilli-Anne Brown, Beth Melewski*, Tim Ryder, and Timothy Sniffen*. Billy Bungeroth* is director, Jesse Case* is music director and writer, and Kate James* and Timothy Sniffen*are writers. Singers from Lyric are mezzo-soprano Lauren Curnow and tenor Bernard Holcomb*, both former members of the Ryan Opera Center. (*participated in the January show)

The Second City Guide to the Opera lasts approximately two hours, including a 20-minute intermission. Shows are Thursdays through Mondays, and start at 7:30pm except on Saturdays, which begin at 7:00pm.

House lights will be fully illuminated in the Ardis Krainik Theatre for more than an hour before each performance so patrons can take pictures from the stage and enjoy the beautiful Art-Deco space while waiting for the show to begin. Souvenir pilsner glasses will be available for purchase.

The Pedersen Room Restaurant at Lyric will have dinner seating 90 minutes before each show; reservations are not required but are encouraged to guarantee seating.

Media Night is Sunday, June 2 for The Second City Guide to the Opera.

For general ticket sales and information, call 312.332-2244 or go to www.lyricopera.org