Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera to Present LA TRAVIATA at The Joe

Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera will present a fresh take on a centuries-old art form in its inaugural stage production, Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata. Using Charleston's own ballpark - "The Joe" - set in 1986 on the eve of game 7 of the World Series, this 90- minute drama, complete with vintage cars, a fireworks display, and a chamber orchestra, is told through references to mid-1980's America, while staying true to the classic story of doomed love.

"An outdoor performance venue is part of our long-term vision," says, Leah Edwards, HALO's Founding General Director, "and we're excited to have the opportunity to see what that dream looks like during our first season."

La traviata stars Jessica E. Jones as the ill-fated heroine Violetta, Rafael Moras as her ambitious lover Alfredo, and Reginald Smith, Jr. as Germont, the meddling father who values his family's reputation over the happiness of his son. Led by Grammy-Award winning director Kevin Newbury, the artistic team transforms the ballpark into an intimate theatrical setting where modernity and tradition collide amidst a pandemic.

"The RiverDogs are excited to partner with HALO and bring opera to The Joe this October," says Dave Echols, President of the Charleston RiverDogs. "Anytime we can expand the outreach of The Joe to a new audience while providing a unique experience, we welcome the opportunity. This should be a great event for the city of Charleston and we are thrilled to be a part of La traviata."

Patrons are invited to dress in whatever is most comfortable for them, ranging from jeans and t-shirts to gowns and tuxedos. "Our mission is to engage our community through the arts," Edwards says. "We don't want attire to be a barrier. Opera is the opposite of an elitist art form. It tells real, human stories that we can all relate to, and we want everyone to feel welcome to come as they are."

Josh Shea, RiverDogs Vice President of Food and Beverage, is curating a creative menu of classic ballpark concessions with an operatic twist, which will be available for purchase before the show. Masks are encouraged when not eating or drinking. All SEGRA club guests will need to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours.

La traviata will be performed in Italian with English supertitles. Performances are October 22, 26, and 28. Rain date is set for October 29. Gates open at 5:30pm, show begins at 7:00pm. Tickets: $36-General Admission, $76-Reserved Seating. Parking passes can be purchased in advance or upon arrival: $5-General, $10-VIP.

La traviata is presented in part by The Post and Courier. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.holycityarts.org/performances/la-traviata/.

To post a comment, you must register and login.