After backlash following the slashing of the English National Opera’s funding to zero, the chief executive of Arts Council England, Darren Henley, remarked that the future of opera is in car parks and pubs. In an article for the Guardian, he wrote, “New ideas may seem heretic to traditionalists, but fresh thinking helps the art form reimagine itself and remain exciting and meaningful to future generations of audiences and artists.”
Apparently, Pacific Opera Project (POP) is way ahead of the curve.
POP has built its reputation and loyal audiences by presenting the grand art form in down-to-earth venues with fun and innovative twists. Consider its revolutionary drive-in production of Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte,” cheekily re-titled “COVID fan tutte,” in 2020 and its outdoor, family-friendly production of Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” at Forest Lawn cemetery in 2021. With “ironically clever” English supertitles and productions including a video game version of “The Magic Flute” and a “Star Trek” cast for “Abduction from the Seraglio,” POP is building a generation of new opera-goers.
This month POP presents its unique take on Puccini’s “La Boheme” in two brewery locales Dec. 12-14. The opera will be presented in Italian with POP’s “modernized” English supertitles.
“The Hipsters are back,” POP says. “But this time there’s beer.”
The Dec. 12 performance is at Benny Boy Brewing, Lincoln Height’s hottest new brewery and cider house. This performance is at 7 p.m., outdoors, and comes with a guaranteed seat and one drink ticket. Food and valet parking are also available for an additional cost. This performance is ticketed and costs $20.
On Dec. 13 and 14, the production moves over to Angel City Brewing. These performances will be indoor and in multiple locations around the building and begin at 8 p.m. Seating will be first come, first served. These performances are free. Drinks and food are available for purchase.
At Benny Boy brewing, valet parking is available for $10. Pay at the bar to get the parking validated. For Angel City Brewery, parking details can be found on their website.
“THE PROPERTY MANAGER” VIBE
Benny Boy Brewing VIEW
1821 Daly St
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Dec. 12, 2022 | 7 pm
$20/person (1 drink ticket included)
“THE STARVING ARTIST” VIBE
Angel City Brewery VIEW
216 S Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dec. 13, 2022 | 8 pm
Dec. 14, 2022 | 8 pm
FREE – first come, first served
TICKETS AND MORE INFO:
https://www.pacificoperaproject.com/la-boheme
Photo of Benny Boy Brewing courtesy of POP