Ridgefield Playhouse to Screen TOSCA & THE HABIT OF ART Live in HD in November

The grandeur of Italian opera Live in HD from the Met will feature Puccini's Tosca starring Patricia Racette and Sondra Radvanovsky on Saturday, November 9, at 12:55 p.m. at The Ridgefield Playhouse. Benjamin Britten stars in Alan Bennett's play The Habit of Art on Wednesday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m. Live in HD from London's National Theatre. For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all 10 in the series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Puccini's Tosca and Alan Bennett's The Habit of Art will be Live in HD at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, November 9 and Wednesday, November 20

The grandeur of Italian opera Live in HD from the Met will feature Puccini's Tosca starring Patricia Racette and Sondra Radvanovsky on Saturday, November 9, at 12:55 p.m. at The Ridgefield Playhouse. Benjamin Britten stars in Alan Bennett's play The Habit of Art on Wednesday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m. Live in HD from London's National Theatre. These events are underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation and The Ridgefield Press with support from Starbucks and Whistle Stop Bakery (products available in the lobby) with media sponsor WSHU.

Puccini's timeless verismo score for Tosca is well served by two exceptional casts. Patricia Racette and Sondra Radvanovsky share the title role of the jealous diva, opposite two leading tenors, Roberto Alagna and Marcello Giordani. George Gagnidze is the villainous Scarpia.

In Alan Bennett's play The Habit of Art, Benjamin Britten, sailing uncomfortably close to the wind with his new opera, Death in Venice, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend, W.H. Auden. During this imagined meeting, their first in twenty-five years, they are observed and interrupted by, amongst others, their future biographer and a young man from the local bus station.

For dinner-and-a-show, Bernard's (22 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner before these events, when tickets are presented; reservations suggested beginning at 5 p.m. Visit ridgfieldplayhouse.org for video previews of the Met Live in HD Series.

Other events from the Met include Verdi's Falstaff, Sunday, December 15, at 5 p.m.; Dvo?ák's Rusalka, Saturday, February 8, at 12:55 p.m.; Bordin's Prince Igor, Saturday, March 1, 12 p.m.; Massenet's Werther, Saturday, March 15, at 12:55 p.m. & Sunday, March 16, at 12 p.m.; Puccini's La Bohème, Saturday, April 5, 12:55 p.m.; Mozart's Così Fan Tutte, Saturday, April 26, at 12:55 p.m.; Rossini's La Cenerentola, Saturday, May 10, 12:55 p.m. From National Theatre of London, 50 Years on Stage will be broadcast on Saturday, November 30, at 6:30 p.m. featuring special guest Richard Pilbrow of Ridgefield and founder of Theatre Projects Consultants who was voted one of the 50 most powerful people in the entertainment technology industry.

For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all 10 in the series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

Photo courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera and National Theatre Live