Opera Theater Oregon's Cavalcade of Beautiful Losers returns to Someday Lounge
March 29 and April 10
OTO's new opera cabaret group, the Cavalcade of Beautiful Losers, continues its first show, "Will Kill For Vaudeville," March 29 and April 10 at the Someday Lounge (8:00 pm, tickets $10 at the door). The evening, dedicated to the slightly shabby grandeur of end-era vaudeville, includes performances by Coney Island Cartel and Czech cabaret artiste Helena Greathouse.
The Cavalcade is a new OTO project to produce opera at bar venues, sharing a bill with local bands and performance artists. The shows, written by Artistic Director Katie Taylor and arranged by Maestro Camelia Nine, include music from opera, vaudeville, cabaret and modern throwbacks, like Tom Waits and AC/DC.
"Will Kill For Vaudeville" runs once monthly, February through April, with guest artists. The group's second show, "The Carnie's Confession," a Dust Bowl opera melodrama, opens in May and runs monthly through July.
ABOUT "WILL KILL FOR VAUDEVILLE"
"Will Kill" is a dark comic elegy for vaudeville, filtered through the demented perspective of aging former child star Ethel Million (soprano Elizabeth D. Bacon).
The show includes music by forgotten vaudeville greats like Victor Herbert, A. Baldwin Sloane and Albert von Tilzer, soaring arias and ensembles from French lyric opera, and a bit of AC/DC, for flavoring.
Acts include "The Sensational Truth About Bluebeard's Wives," "Greg the Magic Biker," "Five-minute Faust," "Ta Ra Ra BOOM De Ay!" and "Johann Strauss' Nightmare." The show runs about 60 minutes.
MARCH MUSICAL GUESTS
Squish and the Flat Sharp Saw, with Coney Island Cartel '20s and '30s retro jazz, ragtime and swing band, fronted by musical saw and ukulele player, Squish.
http://www.myspace.com/coneyislandcartel
From Czechoslovak National Television: Cabaret Artiste Helena Greathouse, backed by accordionist Mark Greathouse. You haven't heard 'Mack the Knife' until you've heard it in Czech.
http://www.greathouseofmusic.com
Madame Régine Brosse-à-dents, 8 Ball Prognosticator The act that, quite rightly, only sees the backs of the audience's heads as they leave.
MARCH EVENING SCHEDULE:
8:00 pm - Five-minute Faust 8:15 pm - Coney Island Cartel 9:00 pm - Will Kill For Vaudeville
after 10:00 pm - Helena & Mark Greathouse -- 20 minute cabaret set
THE CAVALCADE OF BEAUTIFUL LOSERS
The Beautiful Losers are:
Vox
Elizabeth D. Bacon (soprano)
Beth Madsen Bradford (mezzo)
Matt Dolphin (tenor)
Erik Hundtoft (baritone)
Paul Cathey (silent as the grave)
Orchestra
Camelia Nine (maestro, arrangements, vox, keys, violin)
Brian Casey (upright bass)
Shawn Freeman (drums)
Mark Greathouse (accordion)
Squish (musical saw, ukulele, sound effects)
ABOUT OTO
Small and alternative, Opera Theater Oregon delivers showy, entertaining performances of opera in English, as well as original musical and cabaret productions. Our goal is to produce innovative and accessible shows, preserving the beauty of the music while playing shamelessly with format, and offering affordable ticket prices. We're also committed to using local talent and non-traditional orchestration.
2007 SEASON
Monthly, February - April at the Someday Lounge:
WILL KILL FOR VAUDEVILLE 60-year-old "Baby" Ethel Million's triumphant return to Orpheum Circuit. OTO Cavalcade of Beautiful Losers, various venues and guest artists.
Monthly, May - July at the Someday Lounge:
THE CARNIE'S CONFESSION A Dust Bowl Opera Melodrama. OTO Cavalcade of Beautiful Losers, various venues and guest artists.
September 14, 15 & 16 (venue TBA):
MUSCLE-MAX A new take on Donizetti's 'L'Elisir d'Amore," set in the mall circa 1985. Hot Dog on a Stick, men's competitive aerobics, big, big hair, and Bel Canto.
CONTACT OTO
For more information, visit www.operatheateroregon.com, or contact Artistic Director Katie Taylor, operatheateroregon@yahoo.com or 503.234.4515.
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From WILLAMETTE WEEK:
THEIR LIPS AREN'T SEALED The shabby, dusty era of vaudeville meets highbrow French lyric opera in the Saturday, Feb. 10, debut showing of Opera Theater Oregon 's new "opera cabaret troupe," the New Bellini Cavalcade of Beautiful Losers . According to OTO artistic honcho Katie Taylor, this PG-13 scripted revuesical (at the Someday Lounge) includes a slate of guest stars, including Helena Greathouse , a former darling of Czech National TV who performs in Liza Minnelli-inspired spangles with her husband on the accordion.
