THE DALLAS OPERA IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE ANOTHER OUTSTANDING,
FREE COMMUNITY EVENT AT AT&T STADIUM IN ARLINGTON!
A ONE-TIME-ONLY SIMULCAST OF SHOW BOAT BY JEROME KERN
BOOK AND LYRICS BY OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
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SPONSORED BY THE DALLAS FOUNDATION
With Additional Support from the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation
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SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2016
Stadium Doors Open at 6:00 PM
Live Opera Performance at 7:30 PM
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With WB Classics Cartoon:
“ANOTHER FROGGY EVENING”
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Free Seating, Free Parking, Paid Concessions
www.dallasopera.org/simulcast
DALLAS, TX, JANUARY 21, 2016 – The Dallas Opera, in partnership with AT&T Stadium and with support from our founding sponsor, The Dallas Foundation, is extremely proud to announce the company’s fifth stadium simulcast. This program has reached more than 63,000 people since the first free public presentation in 2010.
The simulcast of the legendary 1927 American Musical, SHOW BOAT, conducted by Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX (home of the Dallas Cowboys).
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Curtain time for that evening’s live performance of this critically acclaimed production of a twentieth-century musical theater masterpiece is 7:30 p.m.
Free parking is available, starting at 5:00 p.m. in lots 1, 2, 3 and 10. Enter through gates A and K on the north side of the stadium. There is no reserved parking.
The simulcast will be hosted by local radio personality Jody Dean with able assistance from co-host Kristian Roberts, Dallas Opera Education Program Senior Manager.
As always, pre-performance entertainment will include trivia contests, a pre-performance workshop at 5:00 p.m. for kids from grades K through 6 (sign up online), and a screening of the WB Classics cartoon, “Another Froggy Evening.”
Although the cartoon was produced in 1995, it is actually a prequel (and tribute) to the 1955 classic “One Froggy Evening,” created by Michael Maltese and Chuck Jones. As you might expect, the prequel explores the curious origins of the cartoon character Michigan J. Frog.
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Stadium guests will then experience a groundbreaking work from the American Musical canon, based on the novel by Edna Ferber. Composed by Jerome Kern with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, SHOW BOAT courageously addressed some of the most contentious social issues of the day within the context of a beautifully told story of a bittersweet, lifelong romance. The American Musical would never be the same again.
Based on the novel by Edna Ferber, SHOW BOAT is the source of many memorable musical numbers including “Make Believe,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” and “Ol’ Man River.” The landmark musical also tackled such taboo subjects as racism, alcohol addiction and miscegenation on this journey through several transformative decades of American life.
This brilliant Francesca Zambello production of SHOW BOAT, created for Lyric Opera of Chicago, carries us down the Mississippi, through love’s choppy waters, as life rolls on for Magnolia and the gambling man she adores.
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Patrons will be able to enjoy the SHOW BOAT simulcast, live from the Shannon and Ted Skokos Stage in the Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, on the world’s largest high-definition video board structure suspended directly above the playing field.
This performance will take place as part of The Dallas Opera’s nationally recognized, free public simulcast program, which has attracted more than 60,000 patrons over the past five years. Thousands more are expected to attend next April.
“The Dallas Foundation has been pleased to support The Dallas Opera’s simulcasts to AT&T Stadium since 2012, helping to provide families throughout our community the chance to experience world-class opera in this unique and relaxed setting,” remarked Mary M. Jalonick, President and CEO of The Dallas Foundation. “This successful partnership has inspired our Board of Governors to pledge our continued support of these efforts through 2017.
“The Dallas Foundation is proud to be the Founding Sponsor of The Dallas Opera AT&T Stadium Simulcasts.”
The Dallas Opera’s SHOW BOAT Simulcast has additional generous support from: The Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation
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SHOW BOAT stars Canadian soprano Andriana Chuchman, praised by The Chicago Tribune for radiating “enough vocal allure, physical beauty and charm to light up the stage,” in the role of Magnolia Hawks and “elegant” baritone Michael Todd Simpson (Huffington Post), a Dallas Opera favorite, as the irresistible Gaylord Ravenal.
This production also marks the company debut of soprano Alyson Cambridge as Julie, whose secret reveals shameful attitudes that once hovered beneath the surface of American life.
In the iconic role of “Joe,” bass Morris Robinson, a commanding Commendatore in TDO’s 2010 Don Giovanni, “brings a penetratingly deep operatic bass to ‘Ol Man River’,” according to Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times.
Soprano Angela Renée Simpson, with a voice that can “bring the house down” (Opera News) will perform the role of Queenie.
Broadway dancer, singer, actor Lara Teeter dazzles as Cap’n Andy, the owner of The Cotton Blossom, and mezzo-soprano Mary-Pat Green makes a delightful Parthy Ann Hawks—both, in their Dallas Opera debuts.
Conducted by Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and directed by E. Loren Meeker, “whose megawatt talent lights up the stage” (Berkshire Fine Arts), our season finale is a high watermark in this season’s altogether extraordinary journey.
The Dallas Opera’s AT&T Stadium Simulcast is one of six performances of the opera that will take place on April 15, 17(m), 20, 23, 29 and May 1(m), 2016 in the Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
Free general admission tickets to The Dallas Opera’s SHOW BOAT simulcast at AT&T Stadium can be obtained right now through the Dallas Opera website: www.dallasopera.org/simulcast.
To register your child for the free pre-performance workshop at 5 p.m., which explores the components of opera and how opera is made, as well as “opera etiquette” and the story of SHOW BOAT, go to www.dallasopera.org/simulcast.
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“It’s been a personal goal of mine to engage the finest world-class artists to create an unforgettable entertainment experience for people from all walks of life,” explains Keith Cerny, Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO of The Dallas Opera, “and nothing does this better than opera—a spectacular art form made even more so when viewed on the largest high-definition screens in the country.
“The Dallas Opera is deeply honored that our founding sponsor, The Dallas Foundation, is supporting this event for a fifth consecutive year and we are equally grateful for the generosity of the Jones Family, who encouraged this extraordinary collaboration with the Cowboys organization from the moment we made our dream known to them.
“I am certain that the centralized location of AT&T Stadium will—once again—prove to be a tremendous draw,” Mr. Cerny added. “With free parking, a wear-what-you-want dress code, a brilliant cast that underscores the diversity of today’s opera audience, on-screen supertitles and plenty of available concessions—this night will continue to redefine 21st century opera as a family-friendly entertainment experience.”
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“The partnership between AT&T Stadium and The Dallas Opera has continued to grow, and we are beyond thrilled that this tradition will continue at our stadium for a fifth year with yet another amazing presentation,” said Dallas Cowboys Chief Brand Officer Charlotte Jones Anderson. “In joining art, technology and music through these simulcasts, we are honored to share this experience once more with our fans in North Texas.
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EVENTS, GUESTS AND ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT “JANUARY AT THE DALLAS OPERA”
IS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE, 24/7
VISIT WWW.DALLASOPERA.ORG
For high-resolution digital photographs suitable for print
To arrange an interview or obtain additional information
Please contact
Suzanne Calvin, Director of Media and Public Relations
214.443.1014 or suzanne.calvin@dallasopera.org
Or Celeste Hart, Communications Manager
214-443-1071 or celeste.hart@dallasopera.org.
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON
Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season
All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise described. Single Tickets range from $19 to $275. Season subscriptions for 2016-2017 go on sale April 1, 2016 (starting at just $95) and single tickets for the 60th Season go on sale to the general public on July 11, 2016. Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase for the current season, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.