COC Set To WOW Young Audiences With Modern-Day Opera Fairy Tale

The Canadian Opera Company presents the Cinderella story with a magical middle school twist, when WOW Factor: A Cinderella Story premieres at the Imperial Oil Opera Theatre with four public performances on December 1 and 2, 2018. With a musical adaptation by Stéphane Mayer, of the COC's Ensemble Studio, and a new English libretto by Against the Grain Theatre's Joel Ivany, this family-friendly opera brings Rossini's La Cenerentola into the 21st century.

When the hit singing show WOW Factor arrives at Cindy's school, students jump at the chance to compete for the top prize - especially with pop sensation Lil' Charm rumoured to make an appearance. Shy Cindy dreams of sharing her talents with the world but her friends become mean girls when she steps into the spotlight. Driven by her desire to sing, and with a bit of help from a reluctant pop star and his sidekick, Cindy overcomes her fears to find her own unique voice.

Commissioned by the COC, WOW Factor is presented through the company's Opera for Young Audiences program, which aims to engage a new generation of opera lovers with accessible and entertaining productions created just for children and youth. Tickets to the public performances are free for children under 12 (to a maximum of two free children's tickets for each adult ticket sold), making the experience even more accessible to young people. Audience members can also get into the operatic spirit with free hands-on activities related to the opera's themes that take place one hour before each performance.

WOW Factor stars current and former artists of the COC Ensemble Studio, Canada's premier training program for young opera professionals. The performance is 50 minutes in length and sung in English. It is suitable for children ages 5 - 12 years old and each performance ends with a 10-minute Q&A session with cast and crew.

New this year, the performance at 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 2 will be a "relaxed performance," geared towards those who may benefit from a more relaxed sensory experience. The opera itself remains unchanged, but lighting may be adjusted to brighten the theatre and there will be a more casual attitude towards noise and movement in the audience. Families will also be provided with a designated relief area if they need a break from the performance. Additional support, including a visual story of the entire experience, will be available to help families prepare for their visit to the opera.

"We want young people to be able to form a connection with opera, whether they're familiar with the art form or experiencing it for the very first time," says COC General Director Alexander Neef. "With Opera for Young Audiences, and WOW Factor in particular, we hope to remove some of the barriers associated with accessing high-quality opera and encourage a lifelong appreciation of the art form."

Director Anna Theodosakis leads a production team that includes set and costume designer James Bolton and lighting designer Siobhan Sleath. With colourful sets and costumes described by Theodosakis as "Instagram-worthy," this production takes inspiration from popular video games, reality singing shows and YouTube sensations.

Four performances of WOW Factor, taking place on November 28 and 29, are designated for student audiences. School groups attending these performances at the Imperial Oil Opera Theatre are also offered a complimentary in-school workshop, led by a COC artist-educator who will explore the opera's themes and help deepen students' understanding of the art form.

Cast and Creative Team

Cindy: Simona Genga
L'il Charm: Charles Sy*
Tiny Dan: Samuel Chan
Mr. Magnifico: Joel Allison
Chloe: Anna-Sophie Neher
Tisbe: Simone McIntosh
Phoebe: Lauren Eberwein
Principal Fée: Lauren Margison

Director: Anna Theodosakis
Music Directors: Rachael Kerr/Stéphane Mayer
Set and Costume Designer: James Bolton
Lighting Designer: Siobhan Sleath

* Graduate of the COC Ensemble Studio

The artists of the COC Ensemble Studio are generously sponsored by COVC Jean A. Chalmers Fund, David & Kristin Ferguson, Joy Levine, Marjorie & Roy Linden, June Shaw, The Stratton Trust, Janet Stubbs, and Brian Wilks.

All performances take place in the Imperial Oil Opera Theatre at the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre (227 Front St. E.). Tickets are FREE for children under 12 (maximum of two free children's tickets for each adult ticket sold). Tickets for adults are $40 and additional children's tickets are $10 each. To purchase tickets, visit coc.ca, call COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231, or visit the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office (145 Queen St. W.).

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