See Met's 'Merry Widow' Live at Local Movie Theaters

Grab some popcorn and a box of candy -- although you may want to skip a big drink for a running time of 2 hours and 45 minutes -- and watch a live high-definition telecast of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of "The Merry Widow" at Cinemark theaters.

Renée Fleming and Nathan Gunn in the MET’s “Merry Widow.”
(Photo: Brigitte Lacombe/Metropolitan Opera)

The Live in HD series offering will begin at 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Franklin Park and Fallen Timbers shopping center theaters.

From the Met's website:

"The great Renée Fleming stars as the beguiling femme fatale who captivates all Paris in Lehár’s enchanting operetta, seen in a new staging by Broadway virtuoso director and choreographer Susan Stroman ("The Producers," "Oklahoma!," "Contact"). Stroman and her design team of Julian Crouch ("Satyagraha," "The Enchanted Island") and costume designer William Ivey Long ("Cinderella," "Grey Gardens," "Hairspray") have created an art-nouveau setting that climaxes with singing and dancing grisettes at the legendary Maxim’s. Nathan Gunn co-stars as Danilo and Kelli O’Hara is Valencienne. Mezzo-soprano diva Susan Graham takes on the title role later in the run. Sir Andrew Davis and Fabio Luisi conduct."

Tickets for the live telecast are $22-$24 at the theaters' box offices.

Opera Ain't No Drag Event Set for Feb. 7

Think operas are stuffy and boring? Think again!

That's the advice from the Pride of Toledo Foundation, a local non-profit group that supports the LGBT community, family and friends in our area. The foundation had so much fun hosting an opera event last year that it is planning another one for 2015, in conjunction with the Toledo Opera.

Opera Ain't No Drag will be held Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. and will include performances by Toledo Opera artists and the area's reigning queens and kings of drag.

All are welcome! From Pride of Toledo Foundation:

"New to opera? Don't worry! You'll recognize familiar tunes and see some of the best singers that Toledo has to offer. Never seen a drag show? You don't know what you're missing! Over-the-top costumes, wigs, makeup and performances ... maybe the two worlds aren't that different after all!"

Tickets are $15 each or two for $25 and may be purchased at the door or online at http://operaaintnodrag2015.brownpapertickets.com.

Beer, wine, soda and limited concessions will be available for purchase. For more information, visit Toledo Pride's Facebook page.

The Toledo Opera Guild is hoping for a good showing from its membership. If you've ever wanted a night to be totally over the top, this is it!

Brünhilde Parties Being Planned

If you make one resolution for the coming new year, commit to attending a Brünhilde Party with the Toledo Opera Guild!

These fun events -- hosted by guild members as passionate about supporting the Toledo Opera as Brünhilde was for Siegfried in Wagner's "Ring" -- are smaller-scale fundraisers that also introduce prospective members to the Toledo Opera Guild's mission and fellowship.

Guild president Cindy Niggemyer, guild members Shirley Joseph and Waafa Hanna, and Toledo Opera executive director Suzanne Rorick are among the hostesses planning teas, brunches, yoga sessions, art workshops, and other gatherings.

Chairman Laura Draheim is on the hunt for more party organizers. She is especially counting on Brünhilde Parties to keep the guild's momentum going strong through the spring, between the "Susannah" opera production (mid-February) and the Phashion of the Opera event (April 29).

Show your strength and prowess and become your own Brünhilde, generously donating your time and resources to plan and underwrite a gathering. The guild can help design invitations and promote your event. Small ticket fees or other money collected by guests will go straight to the Toledo Opera.

For questions or to volunteer, contact Laura at ldraheim3434@att.net or 419-475-1720.

It ain't over until ... the Toledo Opera Guild throws some more parties!

RSVP for Celebrity Wait Night 2015 by Jan. 20

Space is limited for our fabulous Celebrity Wait Night fundraiser Jan. 26 at La Scola Italian Grill, so make sure to send in your RSVPs as soon as possible. You can download and print out the cards below.

Please indicate your entree choice and celebrity waiter, if you have a preference for a table. See you there!

Links: Menu; Waiter List

Call event chairman Barb Bettinger at 419-392-8020 with any questions.

Celebrity Waiters to Collect 'Tips'

The Toledo Opera Guild's upcoming Diamonds and Denim Celebrity Wait Night -- Jan. 26 at La Scola Italian Grill -- will feature some special guests as waiters.

Mary Bilyeu, food editor for The Blade newspaper; John Tharp, sheriff of Lucas County; and Sanna Orra and Jay Berschback, reporter and chief meteorologist, respectively, for WTVG-TV, will join other Toledo Opera supporters and guild members as head waiters at tables full of hungry and happy guests.

Mailed invitations will be arriving after the holidays. Please indicate on your RSVP card at which waiter's table you would like to sit.

Other waiters include:

Carol Sizemore (with Sheriff Tharp)
Barbara Brown
Mike and Sharon Sordyl
Barbara Baker
Janna Lake and JoAnn Phipps
Sandra Honemann
Beth Bowman and Jane Wurth
Susan Conda
Diane Rusk and Marina Lung
Sandra Seiple
Dan and Rebecca Kleiboemer
Alexandra McMaster and Melissa Noe Freeman

Click here for La Scola's menu for the evening, which includes an entree choice of manicotti, steak, fish or chicken. A house salad and caramel pecan tiramisu will bookend the lovely meal, which starts at 7 p.m. following a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. at the restaurant's cash bar.

Entertainment will be provided by The Pickers, a group of guitarists from the northwest Ohio area. Guests are encouraged to wear fancy denim dress as the guild continues its Diamonds and Denim theme for the season.

Tickets are $45, which will mainly cover the cost of the delicious dinner. The major fundraising portion of the evening are the "tips" the celebrity waiters will collect from their tables. Who do you think can raise the most money? It's on!

And fear not, none of our celebrities will have any wardrobe malfunctions. They will be wearing fantastic aprons produced by Big Daddy Graphics in Perrysburg.

Rock the Block at Paula Brown Shop

Suzanne Rorick, executive director of the Toledo Opera, encourages us all to "shop local" and get an opera treat as well.

Rorick, speaking at a gathering of the Toledo Opera Guild board of directors today, said patronizing the locally owned businesses in the downtown area is an important way to support all that Toledo has to offer.

The Rock the Block event this evening at Paula Brown Shop will be a perfect opportunity to do just that.

Toledo opera stars will offer holiday favorites as well as preview songs from the upcoming "Susannah" opera.

Cocktails and nibbles will be offered at The Pub at Paula Brown, 912 Monroe St. RSVPs are appreciated by calling 419-241-8100 or emailing paula@paulabrownshop.com, but walk-ins are most welcome as well.

Enjoy the festivities, and then shop around the whole block!

Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra to Present 'Amahl and Night Visitors'

Childhood is a wonderful time to begin a lifelong love of opera, and the holiday season lends an extra special magic to the memories.

The Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra will help you and your families create those memories with a free production of "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on Dec. 12 at Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg.

When Italian-born composer Gian-Carlo Menotti was commissioned in 1951 by NBC to create a children's opera for television, he came up with the one-act piece from his childhood holiday memories of the "three kings" -- the magi who visit the Christ child in the biblical story.

In "Amahl and the Night Visitors," a young shepherd boy and his mother receive the traveling visitors for a night's stay. Destitution prompts the mother to steal for her crippled son some of the gold meant for the Christ child, but mercy and forgiveness propel the family to generosity and reverence for the prince of peace.

The Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra will offer the free concert and performance at 7 p.m. that Friday at the church, 314 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg.