Les Enfants Terribles at Oakland Opera Theatre, Oct. 6 - 22

The adventurous Oakland Opera Theater returns with Philip Glass' rarely performed, provocative, and haunting dance opera Les Enfants Terribles,  October 6 through 22.

Based on the 1929 novel by Jean Cocteau, Les Enfants Terribles will be directed by Oakland Opera Theater's Artistic Director Tom Dean, who will re-set the piece in 1954 French Indo-China.

Dean has assembled a stellar cast for this production, including Tony-nominated soprano Joohee Choi and baritone Axel Van Chee as the siblings.  Also featured in the cast are mezzo-soprano Cary Ann Rosko as Agathe/Dargelos and tenor Ben Johns as Gerard. Jonathan Smucker will alternate in the role of Gerard, October 15, 19 and 20.

"Les Enfants Terribles combines operatic and dance disciplines to deliver a work which challenges the conventions of both forms. In Cocteau's novel the narrator Gérard tells the story of a brother and sister, Paul and Lise, who live in a fantasy world of their own imaginings. They are severed from the outside world: isolated and totally dependent on each other, they pass their days acting out wild fantasies, at first innocent, then increasingly perverse. Unable to sustain the tenor of their private games as the outside encroaches, Paul and Lise's fantasies turn increasingly to games of manipulation and personal destruction," states press notes.

For tickets ($32 advance/$36 at the door) and information, call 510-763-1146 or visit www.oaklandopera.org.

The Oakland Metro Operahouse is located the corner of 2nd St. and Broadway in downtown Oakland, just one block from Jack London Square.

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