Some enchanted evening at the Anchorage Opera

I didn't realize I was sitting two seats from the director Friday night. I didn't realize this reputable opera director had been flown up from Seattle halfway through the show to take over. Further, I did not expect to be toasting to his success with rose champagne, the conductor and a handful of cast members after the show. Lastly, I didn't realize he would be telling my husband and I were to get the best Chinese food in town. After all I've lived here two years and he's spent less weeks in Alaska than you can count on two hands.

The curtain came up over the set of South Pacific last weekend to bright colors, warm lighting and tropical music. It was the Anchorage Opera's crossover musical for the season. The Anchorage Opera is bringing in big Broadway musical show names once a season to pack the theater, attract a broader audience and help fund the rest of the year's shows.

South Pacific was no exception. The beautiful voices of a cast made up of both Anchorage locals and talent from outside. Days later, still find myself humming the Rogers and Hammerstein tunes, "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Out of My Hair," and "Some Enchanted Evening."

We were among a small group selected to go for a quick backstage tour after the show that concluded with a champange toast to the cast and crew. I got the joy of meeting director Jeffery Buchman and conductor Kelly Kuo. I found out Kuo resides in Oregon and was born in Richland the next door neighbor to my Tri-City hometown, Kennewick.

There's still five more shows to see it for yourself, Anchorage friends:

SHOWS: 
Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m.
Friday,  April 8 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 9 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 10 at 4 p.m.

BUY TICKETS:
At the Anchorage Opera website.

Friday Fun: It's going to be a media-licious weekend

Happy Friday! Sometimes it seems like all the fun stuff is happening at once. This weekend is one of those times. Here's what's on the docket in my world:

1. The Alaska Press Club Conference is happening in Anchorage. We have some prestigious names in journalism here in Anchorage to lead workshops, including Kim Severson of the New York Times and Al Tompkins of the Poynter Institute.
2. Additionally, my company entered a few pieces I worked on in the Press Club Awards contest and we're going to the awards cocktail reception Saturday night. Cross your fingers for me.
3. My dear friend Brielle is in town for the conference and we got to squeeze in some quality time over red wine and delicious food last night. We go back to college, it's always nice to have old friends near.
4. We have tickets to see the Anchorage Opera's opening production of South Pacific tonight. The opera is doing one mainstream opera/musical crossover each year and this is it.
5. I'm crocheting like a mad woman in every spare second to finish a special project in time. But more on that later since it's a surprise for the receiver.

Do you have any exciting weekend plans? Have a wonderful weekend?

Tri-City friends: Go see Katie in "Mary Stuart"

My amazing, talented BFF Katie Hunt** is playing the starring role in "Mary Stuart" at the Richand Players and it opens tonight! If you are in or near Tri-Cities in the next three weeks, please and go see her for me.

Richland Players is the community theater in the Tri-Cities. Here's the theater's synopsis of the play:

"Schiller's Mary Stuart in a new version by Peter Oswald is being produced with an industrial rock theme. Schiller's ability to mix private and public worlds and his profound understanding of real politics assures that what you get from this production is not just some obscure history lesson (one that takes great liberties with the truth), but a fast-moving narrative about the imprisoning effect of power. It has all the sex, politics, religious bickering, double-dealing and treachery of contemporary drama."

Should be exciting, so go see it!

Performances: March 25, 26, April 1, 2, 8 and 9
Curtain: 8 p.m. (Get there by 7:30 p.m.*)
Matinee: 2 p.m. April 3 (Get there by 1 p.m.*)
Ticket prices: $12.00; $10.00 for seniors and students

Call the box office to reserve tickets: 509-943-1991
Or book them online: http://www.richlandplayers.org/

Break a leg, Katie!

*From me, the drama geek: Please make a habit of showing up for live plays AT LEAST a half hour early to get good seats. Walking in after the show has begin is super rude for the audience and the people who spent weeks preparing to go on stage. Community theaters like this one are usually all volunteer. And please turn off your cell phone. (Stepping off my soapbox now) Plus, pre-shows usually have a great social vibe to chat, check out the program, etc.

** Yep, she caught the bouquet at my wedding and I love this picture of her.

Avenue Q: A show that didn't dare disappoint

"Avenue Q" was a blast last week, I have to say the show completely lived up to my expectations. Isn't that refreshing? It was crass, hilarious and very well done.

I hadn't meant to wait so long to post, but I had an Internet free weekend while moving to our fabulous new Spenard duplex. We're finally getting settled in, and the cable folks are coming tomorrow night to activate the internet connection. Until then, I'm on borrowed digital waves.

The spoof of Sesame Street, billed as "muppets for adults" is a story about adapting to adulthood and realizing childhood promises such as "you are special" and "you can do anything you want when you grow up" aren't necessarily as cut and dry as they sound. The talent was extraordinary, especially the female lead, who sings for both female puppets, Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut.

While the comedy was a little risque, I would say I didn't see anything more shocking than what you might see in an episode of Family Guy. But the couple behind us who left before intermission might not have agreed.

Sitting in the audience before curtain.

It's exciting to finally live in a city that brings in major Broadway touring shows. Not to sound lame, but my heart just swells to see live performers lighting up the stage after my theater experience growing up and in college. This is my fourth Broadway or Off-Broadway viewing experience, I've seen "Chicago" in Spokane, "Spring Awakening" in New York, "The Lion King" here in Anchorage and now "Avenue Q." I look forward to seeing what else makes it up to the 49th state.