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Article posted: 11/9/2012 6:00 AM

Local opera companies try singing out of the box

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One of two online comedy sketches features a Doctor Opera therapy session featuring Hansel (Adam Peacock) and Gretel (Aidy Bryant) talking through their various issues. The Lyric Opera of Chicago has teamed up with The Second City for a one-night-only performance of "The Second City Guide to the Opera" set for Saturday, Jan. 5.

Courtesy of The Second City

The Lyric Opera of Chicago will present "Cruzar la Cara de la Luna," the world's first mariachi opera, at the Civic Opera House with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan on Sunday, April 7. Two subsequent performances featuring Mariachi Aztlan are set for the Benito Juarez Community Academy in Chicago and the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.

Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera

Ashley Brown starred as Magnolia in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2012 production of the landmark 1927 Broadway musical "Show Boat." Brown will star as Laurie for the Lyric's new production of "Oklahoma!" in May 2013.

COURTESY OF DAN REST/LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO

Andreas Mitisek is the new general director of Chicago Opera Theater.

Anthony Freud became general director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2011.

COURTESY OF DAN REST/LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO

Famed soprano and Lyric Opera creative consultant Renée Fleming spearheaded a collaboration with The Second City.

COURTESY OF DECCA/ANDREW ECCLES

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Ashley Brown starred as Magnolia in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2012 production of the landmark 1927 Broadway musical "Show Boat." Brown will star as Laurie for the Lyric's new production of "Oklahoma!" in May 2013.

COURTESY OF DAN REST/LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO

About this Article

Opera companies in the Chicago area are trying outreach initiatives to attract new audiences. They're doing so via programming for younger audiences, adding more musicals, collaborating with groups like Second City and staging events outside the opera house. “At the start of the 21st century for an opera company to be truly relevant, we have to do more than produce great opera in our opera house,” said Lyric Opera of Chicago's Anthony Freud.