Hawai‘i’s premiere opera theatre welcomes the LGBT community with a fantastic evening affair.
Ah, the opera. In Hawai‘i, the Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) season is a reason to don your most dashing duds—think floor-length gowns, three-piece suits—and sit back to enjoy a magical performance … until you are sitting on the edge of your seat from all that opera drama. The season runs from October through April, and throughout, talented singers come from around the world to take part.
On Friday, February 13, the theatre will host its very first HOT OUT, a VIP event for the LGBT audience, centered around the debut of its 2015 performance of The Flying Dutchman. Basically, HOT OUT means: a stellar opera showing enjoyed from the best seats, plus posh affairs including a pre-show party with drinks and appetizers and a stimulating VIP reception at intermission, champagne included. Says HOT Executive Director Simon Crookall, “Those who attend this special night will also be invited to join our VIP intermission reception and enjoy an opportunity to share their views on Wagner, the Dutchman, and the joys of living in Hawai’i.” Don’t mind if we do, Mr. Dutchman.
Pending pomp aside, this event is all about The Flying Dutchman, a legendary opera by Richard Wagner. Bass-baritone Ryan McKinny (side note, this is going to be a hot HOT opera) traveled from New York to perform the role of the Dutchman, and will afterwards be off to perform with the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, English National Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and Deutsche Opera, Berlin throughout the year.
A bit about The Flying Dutchman:
Every seven years, a captain trapped aboard a ghost ship and cursed to wander the sea gets the chance to break free. The hitch: He must find a wife who will be true to him. The Flying Dutchman is set in one of those brief windows, as the captain strives to find a woman, and does so by paying a gold dowry to another sailor. Enter his newly betrothed, Senta … who has another lover. Drama unfolds as the captain, known only as the Dutchman, faces his curse and seemingly failed chance to be redeemed, and Senta makes a decision that could free him forever, or send him back to his cursed fate.
More about HOT OUT:
DATE: February 13, 2015
TIME: 6:30 – 11 p.m.
COST: $100
INCLUDES: Pre-concert reception at The Honolulu Club; top-priced tickets to opening night of The Flying Dutchman; VIP Intermission with champagne
Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall
Learn more about HOT at hawaiioperatheatre.com
Buy tickets here
Image courtesy of Hawaii Opera Theatre