Yuval Sharon's Bold New LA BOHÈME Told In Flashback Makes Philly Premiere In April
This bold new staging of Puccini's La bohème that gives audiences a fresh appreciation for one of the most frequently performed pieces in opera.
Opera Philadelphia's 2022-2023 Season closes in spectacular fashion this spring with a bold new staging of Puccini's La bohème that gives audiences a fresh appreciation for one of the most frequently performed pieces in opera.
This visionary new production from director and MacArthur "Genius" Yuval Sharon is presented in reverse order-starting with Act IV and ending with Act I-taking opera's beloved bohemians on a new journey from tragedy to hope, death to life, loneliness to love. This bold take on Puccini's opus is itself a bohemian work of art, dazzling audiences in Detroit, Charleston, and Boston.
"It's not just a gimmick-it works," says the Wall Street Journal. "We leave the performance with the memory of Act 1's explosion of hope and promise, rather than the story's sad conclusion."
A MacArthur Fellow and one of the most innovative names in opera today, Sharon is widely known for city-spanning operas and immersive site-specific works, staging operas in moving vehicles and parking garages, amongst many other non-traditional performance spaces.
"Reordering a performance of La bohème-to begin with the end and end with the beginning-means working back from devastation towards hope and love," Sharon says. "It means listening with fresh ears to a piece that falls often into predictability. Reemerging from the pandemic and returning indoors to see live opera requires all of us to transform our habits, and I believe this is precisely the moment to reexamine our connection to these masterpieces. For those who know La bohème so deeply, this may open a new door to experiencing the work in a new way. And for people who are unfamiliar, it will be a beautiful entry point."
Conducted by Jack Mulroney Music Director Corrado Rovaris, La bohème stars British American tenor Joshua Blue in his role debut as Rodolfo and Philadelphia-born soprano Kara Goodrich as Mimì. Blue made his company and role debuts as the Duke of Mantua in Opera Philadelphia's 2022 production of Rigoletto, where his performance was called "pleasingly robust" (Philadelphia Inquirer) and ended with an on-stage marriage proposal. Goodrich is a recent graduate of Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts, where she took first prize in the 2020 Giargiari Competition.
Haitian American soprano Melissa Joseph, a native of Bristol, PA, makes her company debut as Musetta, bringing her "effortless" vocal technique (Boston Musical Intelligencer) and gorgeous tone to the Academy stage opposite a fellow Bucks County native, baritone Troy Cook, in a return engagement as Musetta's love, the artist Marcello. In past performances with Opera Philadelphia, Cook was praised for his "strong, well-rounded portrayal of Marcello" (Opera News).
Joining the band of bohemians and making their company debuts are baritone Benjamin Taylor as Schaunard and bass Adam Lau as Colline, with bass Frank Mitchell as Alcindoro.
Join Team BroadwayWorld
Are you an avid theatergoer in Philadelphia? We're looking for people like you to share your thoughts and insights with our readers. Team BroadwayWorld members get access to shows to review, conduct interviews with artists, and the opportunity to meet and network with fellow theatre lovers and arts workers.
Interested? Learn more here.
More Hot Stories For You
EgoPo To Present World Premiere Performances of Harlem Renaissance Novel PLUM BUN This AprilMarch 24, 2023
EgoPo's 2022-2023 Harlem Renaissance Season, co-presented with Theatre in the X, will close with the world premiere theatrical staging of Jessie Redmon Fauset's Plum Bun in the month of her 141st birthday.
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center Lights Up Big Screen For April and May FilmsMarch 24, 2023
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is once again lighting up its big screen for the Spring. Learn more about the full lineup here!
Philly Celebrates Jazz 2023 Comes to Chris' Jazz CafeMarch 24, 2023
Philly and the whole country is commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month in April which honors the sound, history, culture and the legends of an American music genre. Legendary venue Chris’ Jazz Café has earmarked Thursday, April 27th for a special celebration in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy’s Philly Celebrates Jazz 2023 calendar of jazz-inspired events.
Laurin Talese to Star in LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL at Philadelphia Theatre CompanyMarch 23, 2023
Philadelphia Theatre Company will produce Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, written by Lanie Robertson with musical arrangements by Danny Holgate. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets!
GASLIGHT, IT'S ONLY A PLAY & More Set for Act II Playhouse 2023-2024 SeasonMarch 23, 2023
Act II Playhouse has announced its 2023-2024 season celebrating 25 years in Ambler.
