EARTH TO KENZIE Children's Opera to Be Presented by Central City Opera and Opera Colorado

Central City Opera and Opera Colorado today announced a co-production of Earth to Kenzie, a critically celebrated children's opera composed by Frances Pollock with a libretto by Jessica Murphy Moo. Bookings for school and community performances are now open for fall 2026. Specifically designed for grades 3-6, this production is perfect for student audiences of all ages and community groups across the region.

The co-production of Earth to Kenzie marks a landmark in collaboration between the two largest Colorado opera companies and reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to live opera for young and first-time audiences across the state.

The story of Earth to Kenzie follows Kenzie – a fifth grader with homework, asthma, and a boundless imagination – as she and her mother navigate life in a family shelter. Escaping into a world of video games and space adventures alongside her avatar Edwin, Kenzie discovers courage she didn't know she had, and she learns that home is less a place than a feeling. The 45-minute, English-language production features four professional singers accompanied by piano.

Originally co-commissioned by Lyric Opera of Chicago and Seattle Opera, the work has been praised for meeting young audiences where they are by addressing themes of housing insecurity and resilience without talking down to children or reducing complex circumstances to a lesson.

The production is particularly suited to classroom preparation and post-performance discussion. Educators will receive curriculum resources in advance of performances, and the story naturally supports conversation around social-emotional learning, community belonging, and the role of imagination in navigating adversity — themes that resonate across grade levels and learning environments.