REGIONAL-Mixed Precipitation presents “Pickup Truck Opera Volume Two: The Magic Flute” which is the second installment of their traveling operatic adventure. Performances run in this area starting in early August and reservations are open now. This show is lively fun for all ages.
Mozart’s 1791 opera, Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), is thrust into modern times and a not-so-distant future. Our young heroes are early-career professionals entering essential jobs with a high risk of burnout. Young Tamino is a first-year teacher at an underfunded school, Strange Land Middle. Pamina is a mental health nurse, but she’s been hijacked by a wellness startup, SarastroCrop. Rival forces attempt to control the destiny of these eager and impressionable heroes.
Mozart wrote this allegorical plot with his creative partner, Emanuel Schikander (playwright, theatrical producer, and comedian), to celebrate the ideals of Freemasonry. The opera premiered in Vienna just two months before his death at age 35. Artistic Director Scotty Reynolds and the Mixed Precipitation crew have assembled a team of new voices to present a bold version of another opera classic. “This is the 4th production we’ve created which draws inspiration from the drama of Mozart’s music and the fantastical stories in his operas. We’ll use the myths of Freemasonry and the Enlightenment to look at the conflicts of our time with joy and hopefulness.”
This futuristic telling of the opera is created by music director Gary Ruschman, playwright Francisco Benavides, and staging director Taous Khazem. Mixed Precipitation tells the story with a cast of singers, puppeteers, and instrumentalists, featuring Mozart’s fiery arias, epic choruses, and the groovy beats of the 90s discotheque, including Deee-Lite, Pizzicato Five, Icelandic pop star Björk, and other 90s hits.
Sopranos Corissa Bussian and Jennifer LeDoux lead the cast, sharing the role of Pamina at alternating performances. Tenor Roland Hawkins plays the role of Tamino. Bass Rodolfo Nieto sings the role of Sarastro, and Lizz Windnagel plays the landmark role of the Queen of the Night. Loki Embrys Graham and Nick Miller split the role of the bird-catcher Papageno, Tamino’s comic sidekick at alternating performances. Audience favorite, Joni Griffith, returns playing multiple roles, including Papagena. Multi-instrumentalists Uchenna Chidozie, Joni Griffith, and Ginna Watson bring Gary Ruschman’s innovative musical arrangements to life. The design team includes scenic artist Boo McCloud, costume designer Rhiannon Fiskradatz, and puppet designs by Lizz Windnagel. Mixed Precipitation associate artist Jäc Miller plays multiple roles and leads the choreography. At selected performances, Julia Engle plays the Queen of the Night.
The Pickup Truck Opera continues Mixed Precipitation’s 14-year tradition of outdoor theater extravaganzas, touring Minnesota communities in late summer. Mixed Precipitation began this mobile format in 2020, using a blue 2011 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck and a trailer as the container and platform for the opera's action. This allowed them to reach audiences on neighborhood streets, public squares, libraries, and care facilities. They reached an audience of over 3,000 in 2021 with their production, Pickup Truck Opera: Volume One - The Odyssey. One audience member called their production “A magnificent, heart-warming, communal art experience."
Their 2022 summer tour includes performances in sprawling parks, nature centers, and farms all over Minnesota. Audiences are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and beverages for their comfort. The performance lasts approximately 75-90 minutes. All performances are outdoors. Watch their website (http://mixedprecipitation.org/) and social media for weather delays.
Area performances include:
• Thursday, August 4 at 7 p.m at Cook’s CountryConnection,1953 Vermilion Dr. Cook, MN 55723
• Friday, August 5 at 5 p.m. Tower Farmers Market (shortened version)
• Saturday, August 6 at 4 p.m Whiteside Park, 721 E Sheridan St. Ely, MN 55731 Presented by the Ely Folk School
• Sunday, August 7 at 2 p.m. Early Frost Farm, 7273 Palo Tia Rd. Embarrass, MN 55732
• Friday, August 12 at 7 p.m. Hovland Town Hall, 4957 East Highway 61, Hovland, MN 55606 Presented by the North Shore Music Association
• Sunday, August 14 at 1 p.m. Finland Heritage Site, 5653 Little Marais Rd. Finland, MN 55603 Presented by Lovin’ Lake County.