“The music flies…the opera is fun…and people love it!”—Evening Standard, London
Fasten your seatbelts! A violent storm has grounded all flights, forcing some passengers and crew members to spend the night together in an airport lounge. Here, they get to know each other very, very well…including a Refugee, who’s been trapped in the airport for several weeks.
Based on the real-life story that also inspired Steven Spielberg’s movie, The Terminal, starring Tom Hanks.
With stars including:
John Holiday as Refugee. “He brings his distinctive countertenor to the Refugee and proves a charismatic galvanizing presence.” —Opera Today
“Abigail Rethwisch’s fearsome vocal power and range served the character of the Controller well, and she seemed to summon the storm with her voice.” —Utah Arts Review
Emmanuel Villaume conducts The Dallas Opera Orchestra in this production from Des Moines Metro Opera.
View the full program here or in the Flip Book below.
Show Details
Language
Sung in English with English Supertitles
Running Time
Performance time is 2 hours and 35 minutes with two 20-minute intermissions.
Rating
Flight contains mature themes, sexually suggestive staging, and mild language.
WRR Concert Hall Broadcasts with The Dallas Opera
v Dallas Opera performances from the 2021/2022 Season will be broadcast on WRR’s Concert Hall program Monday nights at 8:00pm. Hosted by General Director Ian Derrer, you’ll enjoy these four epic performances recorded live at the Winspear Opera House. Tune in to Classical WRR 101.1 FM.
Cast
John Holiday
RefugeeAbigail Rethwisch
ControllerDeanne Meek
Older WomanElena Villalón
TinaAndrew Stenson
BillWill Liverman
StewardKristen Choi
StewardessSeth Carico
MinskmanCatherine Martin
MinskwomanZachary James
Immigration OfficerCreative Team
Emmanuel Villaume
ConductorJonathan Dove
ComposerApril De Angelis
LibrettoKristine McIntyre
DirectorR. Keith Brumley
Set DirectorJonathan Knipscher
Costume DesignerBarry Steele
Lighting and Projection DesignerDavid Zimmerman
Wig and Makeup DesignerSynopsis
ACT I (MORNING)
The Controller watches the skies high above the terminal, while the Refugee watches and admires her from below. Travelers begin to arrive: a married couple, Bill and Tina, who are trying to rekindle their relationship with an adventurous vacation; an Older Woman who has come to wait for her “fiancée” – a young man many years her junior. When not performing their job duties, the Steward and Stewardess steal moments away to continue their affair. The anxious and heavily pregnant wife of a diplomat recently assigned to Minsk refuses to board the plane with her husband, and he leaves without her. As the Immigration Officer makes his rounds, the Refugee asks the passengers for assistance, but they all ignore his cries. An electrical storm envelops the terminal, grounding all flights.
ACT II (THAT NIGHT)
While the storm continues to rage, the stranded passengers are at the mercy of their emotions. The Controller’s frustration rises as she loses control of her domain. Tina accuses Bill of not being adventurous enough in the bedroom, and the Older Woman shares her anxieties about her May-December romance. The Refugee tries to befriend each woman by giving them a “magic stone” that he claims will solve all their problems. The Steward and Stewardess attempt to engage in the normal flight routine of hot towels and duty-free items. Eventually everyone settles in to sleep. Sensing his opportunity to break out of his routine, Bill attempts an illicit affair with the Stewardess. An unexpected encounter occurs. Meanwhile, all the women realize that the Refugee has given them each a “magic stone.” Enraged, they attack him and when he falls to the floor unconscious, they hide his body in a trunk.
ACT III (DAWN)
The storm has cleared, but the women are still reeling from the events of the previous night. Bill’s nocturnal adventures come to light and Tina knocks him unconscious. The Minskman returns for his wife just as she gives birth to their child. The Refugee awakens in the trunk. Bill awakens as an amnesiac and Tina finds a way for them to start over. The Immigration Officer arrives, and all of the travelers are moved to help the Refugee, but there is little they can do. The Refugee finally tells his tale, and the Immigration Officer decides to turn a blind eye and allow him to remain in the terminal. The travelers continue on their journeys.
Pre- and Post-Opera Discussions
Join us for these engaging and informative pre- and post-opera discussions:
- Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk: Hosted by Music Director Emmanuel Villaume, this interactive 30-minute lecture begins one hour before the start of each opera in the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall. Admission is free with your ticket to a Dallas Opera performance.
- New! Post-Opera Talkback: Immediately following the Sunday matinee performance from the stage, this brief and casual Q&A session with members of the cast gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the performance. Hosted by Music Director Emmanuel Villaume.
Media
Click here to listen on Spotify.
Sponsors
Mary Anne Cree, in memory of Rosine Smith Sammons
2021/2022 Season Sponsor
Betty and Steve Suellentrop Mainstage Production
National Endowment for the Arts
additional support