Josephine and Pagliacci at Union Avenue Opera

Presented together, Josephine and Pagliacci explore the complex interplay between performance and personal turmoil. In Josephine, Tom Cipullo brings to life the intimate reflections of Josephine Baker, the trailblazing entertainer and activist from St. Louis, MO, as she navigates the tension between her public persona and private struggles with love, identity, and racism. In Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, the inner turmoil of a traveling actor troupe explodes into violence as Canio, the troupe's lead clown, confronts his wife Nedda’s betrayal, shattering the boundary between performance and reality. Both works reveal the emotional depths of performers whose onstage lives mask profound personal pain. Together, they create a compelling evening of raw humanity and unflinching artistry.

Josephine is presented in English with projected English supertitles.

Pagliacci is presented in Italian with projected English supertitles.

Friday, July 25, 2025 - 8:00 pm

Saturday, July 26, 2025 - 8:00 pm

Friday, August 1, 2025 - 8:00 pm

Saturday, August 2, 2025 - 8:00 pm