Tales of Hoffman: A Picnic Operetta

This summer Mixed Precipitation (MP) has brought back their hugely popular Picnic Operetta tour in community gardens throughout the metro area. Last year MP performed Orpheus and Eurydice, and this year they return with a modern take on the classic opera Tales of Hoffman. Music director Eric Pearson has arranged the score based on Jacque Offenbach's work (with a little '80s pop thrown in for good measure). Artistic director Scotty Reynolds has said that the first location of the tour, Eat Street Community Gardens, holds special meaning because that's where he and his collaborator, chef Nick Schneider, came up with the concept (they were both living at the Omega House, which owns the property where the garden is located). The two collaborators wanted to create a project that integrated food with a theatrical experience. So while enjoying the show, theater goers can expect a multi-course experience of gourmet delights prepared la tavola fresca style—literally "the fresh table," or food that is freshly picked from the garden. The cast includes Lauren Drasler, Carmelita Guse, John Zeiler, Meredith Cain-Nielsen, and Stephen Houtz, with choreography by Nancy Nair. For tickets call 612.619.2112, or check out their website at www.mixedprecipitation.wordpress.com for info and locations. (Photo by Ty Sassaman)
Sundays, 4 p.m. Starts: Sept. 5. Continues through Sept. 5, 2010