Having fun at the Opera House

For the last five years my daytime job was Communications Officer at Sarasota Opera. There is a certain energy that is in the air when we are getting ready to open a production. Singers, musicians, artistic staff,  make-up and wigs designers, costume designer and staff, lighting designer, stage crew – everyone comes together. It is special to watch. Of course, my charge was to create a buzz and generate interest in our company and our productions.
The most fun part? The rehearsals. And photographing them.
We opened La Cenerentola (Rossini’s version of Cinderella) last October.

Here, Heather Johnson (Cenerentola) pleads with her mean (they ARE SO MEAN and SO FUNNY)  step-sisters, Abla Lynn Hamza as Clorinda and Melissa Treinkman as Tisbe.

Stefano de Peppo plays Don Magnifico, Cinderella’s step-father.
Yep, Rossini’s version includes a step-father rather than a step-mother.

Every mean step-sister MUST have ugly shoes!