If Don Draper could sing: Opera Theater Oregon’s “Out of Eden” dishes out some bad candy with a highball chaser just in time for Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day (and week), Opera Theater Oregon invites you to cuddle up with your sweetie, a vodka gimlet and some candy cigs for a romantic evening at the cinema, circa 1955. The gimlet comes from the bar at the Alberta Rose Theatre - the cigs from the lovely, wandering cigarette girl, and the entertainment from another time.

"Out of Eden," OTO’s world premiere adaptation of Jules Massenet’s tragic opera ‘Werther’ (1887), mixes opera, archival news footage, projections, painted backdrops and original film of the on-stage performers to create a living 1950s Hollywood melodrama.

Think Lana Turner in soft focus...a window looking out on a painted scene of birch trees in winter...Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson...tortured love and pure gorgeousness.

"Out of Eden" tells the story of an American GI, missing in action, who returns home from the war to find his sweetheart in love with another man - - a man whose dark secret threatens to destroy them all.

The 15-piece Opera Theater Oregon Technicolor Orchestra, under the baton of OTO Musical Director Erica Melton, provides lush accompaniment for this tale of passion, treachery and lost innocence.

The story and new English libretto are by OTO Producing Artistic Director Katie Taylor

The opera runs just under 2 hours, including a 20-minute intermission.

“Out of Eden” is supported by a project grant from Regional Arts and Culture Council and Work for Art. Filming supported by a grant from the Autzen Foundation. Additional significant support provided by Portland State University School of Music and Sherman and Clay Pianos.

SUPPORT
“Out of Eden” is supported by a project grant from Regional Arts and Culture Council and Work for Art. Filming supported by a grant from the Autzen Foundation. Additional significant support provided by Portland State University School of Music and Sherman and Clay Pianos.

PERFORMANCES
February 11, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 19, 7:30pm at the Alberta Rose Theatre (minors OK when accompanied by a parent or guardian)

TICKETS
Available through Alberta Rose Theatre, http://albertarosetheatre.com, 503.427.8201

OUT OF EDEN
Book by Katie Taylor
Orchestral Arrangements by Erica Melton
Film Direction by Jennifer Wechsler
Technical Direction by Robin Greenwood

Starring...
Claire Craig-Sheets (the woman)
Deac Guidi (the man)
Daniel Buchanan (the snake)

and introducing...
Jennifer Davies as Sophie

Co-starring...
Kevin Walsh
Erik Hundtoft
Carlton Moe
Madison Howard
Megan Sandberg
and
Denna Good-Mojab