IS YOUR CHAPTER LOOKING FOR SOMETHING UNUSUAL TO DO? PLEASE CHECK OUT "OPERA IN FOCUS"

The Scarlet la-TEA-das highly recommend a chapter event, or even a small family get-together--a performance by "Opera in Focus".

Recently featured on PBS show-casing vignettes about interesting local neighborhood happenings, the small production company depends on word of mouth for advertising and spreading the word to let others know about this wonderful group, and their extensive Repertoire.

Not really knowing what to expect, most in our chapter expected to see sort of a Punch n Judy, or Kukla, Fran and Ollie-type hand puppets or string-marionettes.

But that was not the case at all.

Over the stage prominently displayed were the words "NOT ONLY FOR AMUSEMENT" we realized we were about to see a grand operatic production.

We were in awe when we saw the tiny doll-like puppets and were amazed when we were shown how the puppets work.

Each puppet, an individual work-of-art, created with great attention to detail in sculpture, period clothing, miniature props, fit to scale furniture, backdrops and other unique ways depicting scenes from a large number of operas and operettas.

The production we attended was La Boheme, by Puccini included scenes from acts 1-3, as well as three magically staged Christmas Carols.

http://www.operainfocus.com/repertoire/laboheme1.html

http://www.operainfocus.com/repertoire/laboheme2.html

http://www.operainfocus.com/repertoire/laboheme3.html

Included was a behind the scene tour of how the stage set-up works, a demonstration of the one-of-a kind puppets, questions and answers.

All of our chapter would personally like to thank the members of the Opera in Focus players for providing us a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Thank you Justin Snyder, Shane Snyder, Tony Mockus, Paul Guerra; William (Will) E. Harder, Tony Mockus. David Kaufman and Daniel P. Anderson, for sharing your talent and elegance with us.

They were kind enough to wear purple shirts, and at the end of the production, when they were taking they bows, each donned a red ball cap to give a shout out to the red hatters in the audience. Thank you so much for the thoughtfulness, it was truly appreciated, and yet another touch of real class, and great attention to detail!

We look forward to returning for more performances in the future. We're already planning another event.

Their upcoming 2007 looks outstanding, so sign up soon.  (http://www.operainfocus.com/repertoire/repertoire2007.html)

Please share this information with other red hat chapters in the area and your friends and family. You will enjoy every moment.

For more information on the Opera in Focus, please visit their website at http://www.operainfocus.com/index.html

OPERA IN FOCUS
performed at the
Rolling Meadows Park District Theater
3000 Central Road
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008.
847-818-3220 x116.
puppetinfo@operainfocus.com