Lindsey Matheis

Opera Omaha announces its third annual ONE FESTIVAL. The ONE Festival is a place for wild dreams, wilder execution, and exploration of those ideas on a grand scale. Programming is driven by the artists, not the executives. With an emphasis on experimentation and new worka?'yet not tethered to premieresa?'ONE fosters an environment that encourages and celebrates bold risks and transformative storytelling. At a glance, one might assume this is happening in NYC or LA; but this opera hothouse sizzles in the dead center of our country, far from the coasts. 

With the provocative and brilliant guidance of choreographer, Arthur Pita, the subculture of Chicago in the 1960s was reborn. "Hooka Tooka Soda Cracker" with painting turtles and paint brushes in the mouth in place of cigarettes created an essence of sexual symbolism and a starburst for the soul.