Stunning International Spectacle, The Opera Show, to Make Its North American Premiere at UB

By David Wedekindt

Release Date: December 10, 2009 This content is archived.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo will present the North American premiere of The Opera Show on Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North Campus.

The Opera Show is a stunning spectacle of the world's most seductive arias performed in colorful, breathtaking style for the 21st century. This ravishing, original production just completed a sold-out engagement in the United Kingdom and received rave reviews. "Consummately beautiful!" writes The Stage. The Daily Express deemed it "Totally captivating" and "Fiercely brilliant."

The Opera Show takes audiences on a journey through the ages and features opera's most evocative masterpieces, including Nessun Dorma, La Donna E Mobile, Habanera, O Sole Mio as well as other classics by Puccini, Verdi, Rossini and Mozart among others. Featuring dazzling choreography, spectacular costumes and sung by consummate vocalists, The Opera Show is an electrifying evening that will delight opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

The Opera Show is presented in three acts, carrying the audience through vivid visual allegories beginning with the fanciful Baroque period, to 1940s post civil war Spain and then through to the electronic age of now and the future.

Produced by To Be Productions (Celia and Richard Mackay, Mitch Sebastian) The Opera Show originated in the opulent pastoral setting of Kilworth House Hotel and Theatre, a 19th century Italianate estate located in Leicestershire England.

The Opera Show is an impressive collaboration by an international creative team whose work has been seen in theatres and symphony halls around the world. Direction and choreography is by Mitch Sebastian (The Rat Pack: Live from Las Vegas), with musical supervision by Matthew Freeman, arrangements by Noel Vine; set design by Sean Cavanaugh, costume design by Christopher Giles, lighting design by Chris Ellis and sound design by Mike Walker.

Tickets for The Opera Show are $43.50 and $37.50 general admission, and $20 for students (any school). Tickets are available at the Center for the Arts Box Office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and all Ticketmaster locations, including ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets, call 1-800-745-3000; in Canada, call 1-416-870-8000. For group sales, call 716-645-6771. For more information call 716-645-2787.