"The Falling and The Rising" Military Chorus Auditions

Calling all Veteran and Active-Duty Military Who Love to Sing

Volunteer Military Chorus Audition Appointments Available in July for
The Falling And the Rising - A New American Opera

Conceived by Sgt Ben Hilgert | Libretto by Jerre Dye | Composed by Zach Redler

The Falling And the Rising is an exciting new American Opera that salutes the service and sacrifice of our military men and women. Written in 2018, this new show focuses on true soldiers' stories and follows 5 individuals on their journeys from service, to healing to home. 

Petite Opera invites ROTC, active-duty and veteran military personnel who love to sing to join the volunteer military chorus that appears in the final scene of the show. Call 847.553.4442 (option 2) or email us: <Auditions @ petiteopera DOT org>  with your name, contact info and best time to reach you. We'll contact you to set an audition appointment.

Don't read music or have any musical or performing experience? No problem!

How Many shows? Sing in 1 performance, or all 8. You decide. 

1 rehearsal in Park Ridge in September, 3 in late October 

Rehearsals and performances in Park Ridge

Petite Opera Presents The Falling And The Rising Nov 2019

Nov 2-24, 2019, Petite Opera Presents

Conceived: Sgt. Ben Hilgert | Libretto: Jerre Dye | Composed: Zach Redler
Saluting the service and sacrifice of our military men and women

The Falling and the Rising is an exciting new American opera that centers around a strong female hero known only as “Soldier”. After sending a video message home on the eve of her daughter’s thirteenth birthday, our soldier is severely wounded by a roadside IED. Doctors quickly place her in an induced coma to help minimize the extensive trauma to her brain. We follow as the soldier makes an arduous journey through a coma-induced dreamscape punctuated by the lives of fellow services members, each on their own individual journey toward healing and home. Together, they must move toward clarity, comfort, consciousness, and communal hope during a time of adversity.  Created in hopes of capturing the indomitable spirit of our U.S. military veterans and to shed light on the inspirational power of their often overlooked stories, The Falling and the Rising is a story of family, service, and sacrifice inside a period of great uncertainty.

Petite Opera's production will feature 5 lead performers and a chorus comprised of active-duty and veteran military service men and women. Military service men and women are invited to audition on June 8 and 11. Sign Up Now to Audition.
Purchase tickets.

Thank you to all who attended THAT'S AMORE

Petite Original Productions thanks all of its patrons

That's Amore!, the first production under Petite Opera's Petite Original Productions series, really touched patrons.  The company received numerous telephone calls and emails from its patrons about the production. Patrons were spreading the word and telling their friends about the production.

Performers Susan Baushke (Grandma Jenny) and
Steven Arvanites (Grandpa Michael) following
the final performance.

"I Loved the Audience Participation section!"

"There was never a dull moment, the story just kept building"
"This is such a wonderfully engaging story."
"Very talented, expressive performers." 
"It was a walk down memory lane... "I swear that Michael and Jenny lived my life."
"My friends have to see this!" 

Plus, a personal note to the performers from one patron stated that Petite Original Productions' That's Amore! performance ranks #1 in her mind as the best show she's seen in 11 years--surpassing 120 different productions by Broadway In Chicago.

Note sent to That's Amore! performers from an admiring patron

Touching the hearts of patrons is at the heart of all we do.

On behalf of the Petite Opera, its artistic staff, board and crew,
Thank You for attending.

Watch for exciting news of upcoming productions!

FInd Love Again with That's Amore! Feb 16-17

Join Patrons who have found love again with That's Amore!Only 2 performances left!

Michael (Steven Arvanites) and Jenny (Susan Baushke)

Opening Weekend Patrons Loved The Show Opening weekend of Petite Original Productions' new musical love story That's Amore! really touched patrons. The company received calls from patrons who raved about what a great time they had at the production. "I loved the audience participation section!" ... "There was never a dull moment, the story just kept building!" ... "I was so much on the edge of my seat that the time just flew by." ... "This is such a wonderfully engaging story." ... "Very talented, expressive performers." ... 'It was a walk down memory lane. I swear that Michael and Jenny lived my life." ... "[Steven and Susan] have such dynamic acting and vocal ranges." ... "The band was a terrific embellishment to the story." ... "My friends have to see this!" There are only 2 performances remaining, so be part of the love story!

SAT Feb 16, 8:00 PM

SUN Feb 17, 4:30 PM Advanced Online Tickets:
www.petiteopera.tix.com

THE STORY

When your grandkids bring you their dating problems, and ask you how you met, the answer is "That's Amore!"

Join grandma Jenny (Susan Baushke) and grandpa Michael (Steven Arvanites) on an intimate journey from adolescence through the golden anniversary years as they tell their grandchildren their story through flashbacks on their lives. Lives the comic mishaps and frustrations of dating, go on the couples' first date with them, and experience the joys and sorrows in a lifetime of seeking and finding love.

Accompanied by a terrific instrumental combo (Cody Michael Bradley and Jerry King), this original 2-person show features beloved selections from stage and screen, and even includes audience participation. 

Venue:

The Mary Wilson House-Beyer Auditorium

306 S Prospect Ave, entrance on Crescent Ave

(part of St. Mary's Episcopal Church campus)

Park Ridge, IL 60016

Celebrate Valentine season with THAT'S AMORE! Feb 9-17

Petite Original Productions 

presents

Part of the company's new Original production series

Hold the dates or Buy Your Tickets now!

Saturdays, February 9 and 16 at 8:00 PM
Sundays, February 10 and 17 at 4:30 PM

CAST

Jenny (Grandma), age 13 through mid-80's ................ Susan Baushke

Michael (Grandpa), age 17 through mid-80's ................. Steven Arvanites

Instrumental Combo

Keyboards: Cody Michael Bradley

Drums: Jerry King

When your grandkids bring you their dating problems, and ask you how you met, the answer is "That's Amore!"

Join grandma Jenny (Susan Baushke) and grandpa Michael (Steven Arvanites) on an intimate journey from adolescence through the golden anniversary years as they tell their grandchildren their story through flashbacks on their lives. Lives the comic mishaps and frustrations of dating, go on the couples' first date with them, and experience the joys and sorrows in a lifetime of seeking and finding love.

Accompanied by a terrific instrumental combo (Cody Michael Bradley, Sean Godvik and Jerry King), this original 2-person show features beloved selections from stage and screen, and even includes some audience participation. 

This is a must-see for all ages.
Find Love Again!
Bring your memories, your valentine, your kids, and celebrate together.

ARTISTIC TEAM

Story by: Susan Baushke
Stage Director:  Susan Baushke
Music Director:  Cody Michael Bradley

Director of Production:  Steven Arvanites

Audio Designer: Nathan Oakes
Stage Manager:  Mary-Anne Belter

Costume Designer:  Sienna Kusek

Lighting Designer:  Betsy Sklena
Properties Designer: Nicole Verive Brett

*****************************************

TICKETS:

Tickets are $27 for Adults (ages 18-61) | $25 for Seniors (age 62 and up)
$15 for Full-time Students (K through College) | $5 Preschool Children

PAYMENT OPTIONS

OPTION 1: Order and Pay for your Tickets online via credit card:

http://petiteopera.tix.com (convenience fee applies)

OPTION 2: Reserve your tickets and pay at the Box Office on performance date

Call 847-553-4442 or email tickets@petiteopera.org. 
Provide name, show date, # and type of tickets, phone and email address for confirmation
Accepted at Box Office: Cash, Check, Credit Card (convenience fee applies)
NOTE: Credit card numbers not taken over the phone.
Please bring card with you to Box Office

OPTION 3: Buy tickets at the door

If it is 4 hours or less before show time, please bring cash, check or credit card with you to the theatre
and buy tickets at Box Office. Sold-out performances will be noted on the Ticket Hotline: 847-553-4442. 
LOCATION:

The Mary Wilson House-Beyer Auditorium | part of St. Mary's Episcopal church campus
306 S Prospect Avenue (at Crescent Ave) | Park Ridge, IL 60068

2 hours including 15 minute intermission.
Handicapped accessible venue

Why Petite Opera's #metoo Don Giovanni can make a difference

Despicable and Applicable, Donny G has always been around

Don Juan premiered as a fictional/legendary character in 1630, and Mozart’s opera, Don Giovanni premiered in 1787. Then, it was appalling, but accepted, that noblemen—men of power and influence—exerted their power over women, those less affluent, or more helpless. Unfortunately, those behaviors never seem to go out of style. We still see it today, and most tend to turn a blind eye, or toss it off as “just part of the life”.

Tarana Burke started the “Me Too movement” as a way to raise awareness and intolerance of sexual violence and give the victims a voice. Hollywood actresses used it as a platform to speak out against the casting couch and perpetual abusers like Harvey Weinstein and former “America’s dad” and Jello spokesman Bill Cosby.

This is a social justice issue, and people are starting to take note. In fact, in 2017, the “Silence Breakers” were even given the “Person of the Year” award from Time Magazine.

Preying on others, abusing power, sexual misconduct and violence must stop. But it will only become a priority when we all make it so.

Don Giovanni was an opera we always wanted to produce, and its timely perspectives on the present #metoo movement is something that hits us all right between the eyes. People always say “times have changed”, but have they? In reality, the Don Juan story plays itself out in real life over and over again — 200 years ago, and today.

Why have we romanticized the Don Juan legend for so long? Even in the original literature, he isn’t some charismatic, sexually magnetic suave male from the cover of a romance novel, but a narcissistic sexual predator. We enable him by remaining silent.

Dimitri German portrays
"Donny G" in Petite Opera's
Production of Don Giovanni

The #metoo movement has really raised its hand, pointed its collective finger, and said “enough!”. We put that power in the hands of our characters in Don Giovanni to turn the tides of our times, and give victims their voices through music.

As artists, we must not only master our art, but change the world. As artists, we have a responsibility to be a mirror, reflecting back the social issues of our society so we can help the world heal, and make it a better place. 

Let’s get there together.

--Susan Baushke, Executive Director 

--Cathy Dunn, Stage Director

Buy tickets online to Petite Opera's #metoo Don Giovanni at www.petiteopera.tix.com

or call 847.553.4442 to reserve them for pickup and payment at Will Call.

________________________________________________

To better understand the #metoo movement, check out these amazing timelines compiled by The Chicago Tribune:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-me-too-timeline-20171208-htmlstory.html
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-me-too-20171030-storygallery.html

PetiteOpera's #DonGiovanni fights off his #metoo accusers through Nov 18

See what patrons are buzzing about.

Learn what is happening in these photos by attending one of the three remaining performances:

Friday, November 16, 7:30 PM

Saturday, November 17, 7:30 PM

Sunday, November 18, 4:00 PM

MaryWilson House Beyer Auditorium

306 S Prospect Ave at Crescent Ave

Park Ridge, IL 60068