Cinnabar Theater to Present CARMEN, 5/31-6/16

Cinnabar Theater presents Carmen, with Music by Georges Bizet / Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, Based on the novella by Prosper Mérimée. Performed in English.

Georges Bizet's classic opera, "Carmen," is presented at Cinnabar Theater for the first time in its 40-year history. The French opera (performed in English in this Cinnabar Theater production) recounts the ill-fated love affair between an obsessive, irrational and hot-tempered soldier Don José relentlessly seduced by Carmen, a beguiling, free spirited gypsy girl.

Infatuated, Don José disregards his military duties and abandons his childhood sweetheart for Carmen, who is uncompromising as she rejects his devotion for a handsome, triumphant toreador. Jealous rage and betrayal drives Don José into madness, resulting in a tragic end for Carmen.

Considered a masterpiece by many and certainly one of the most celebrated and frequently performed operas, "Carmen" was not triumphant when first presented in 1875. It was the last opera written by Bizet, who died of heart failure at the age of thirty-seven, three months after "Carmen" premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris.

Musical direction by Mary Chun. Directed by Elly Lichenstein.

The production runs May 31 - June 16, 2013, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays June 9 and June 16. Tickets: $25 to $35; $35 General; $32 Seniors 65 & Over; $25 Age 22 & Under. Cinnabar Theater is located at 3333 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, Calif. Call the box office at 707-763-8920, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday or purchase at the door. Reservations highly recommended. Visit www.cinnabartheater.org for more information.

Pictured: Mark Kratz of Rohnert Park as Don José and Rebecca Krouner of Menlo Park as Carmen. Photo Credit: Eric Chazankin.