HOT Digital Aloha Fridays coming this Fall – Hawai’i Opera Theatre’s 20-21 Season kicks off online around the world
Honolulu, Hawai’i – This October, Hawai’i Opera Theatre (HOT) launches HOT Digital presenting opera with local infusions in a brand–new endeavor. HOT has developed completely original content, created here in Honolulu, utilizing local talent in a mix of pay-per-view and free offerings. Shared through a virtual concert hall experience online, HOT Digital content can be consumed by anyone, anywhere in the world.
“The covid-19 pandemic has forced all performing arts organizations to reimagine how we share our art. While nothing can replace the thrill of live opera, I believe we have come up with an engaging and varied season of programming that demonstrates the creativity of this company and pushes the boundaries of what makes opera, well, opera!” General Director Andrew Morgan shares, “We decided early on that HOT Digital productions would not try to replicate live experiences – those will come back as soon as we can – so each project embraces an “independent cinema” quality. At the same time, the digital platform allows us to expand our reach well beyond the Hawaiian Islands. We can’t wait to share these programs with the world!”
HOT Digital Aloha Fridays will start in October with Lee Hoiby’s BON APPÉTIT! and the world premiere of CHICKEN SKIN SERENADES.
BON APPÉTIT! OPERA IN THE KITCHEN
HOT Digital – Your Virtual Concert Hall
Premiering October 2, 2020 / $15
BON APPÉTIT! was composed by Lee Hoiby (1926-2011) and is a one-act opera based on an episode of Julia Child’s “The French Chef” demonstrating how to make a chocolate souffle cake. Transforming the show with music, this fun, light-spirited, and comedic ‘one–woman’ show is the first production to be filmed in the Black Box studio created at Hawai’i Opera Plaza in direct response to covid-19.
This production stars HOT Orvis Opera Studio Resident Artist, Sarah Lambert Connelly. The role, originally written for Jean Stapleton on the stage, takes on new life in HOT Artistic Advisor Jamie Offenbach’s vision for a television or YouTube styling cooking show.
Whether you like Sam Choy, Lianne Wong, or Tasty on YouTube, you’ll love a slice of this cake!
CHICKEN SKIN SERENADES
HOT Digital – Your Virtual Concert Hall
Premiering October 16, 2020 / $20
What happens if Shakespeare met Verdi at a Halloween Party set to a classical mix of music with the artistic influence of The Ring (that’s film version, not Wagner)?
Find out when HOT Digital welcomes you to the dark side of classical music. In CHICKEN SKIN SERENADES, directed by HOT Artistic team members Blythe I. Kelsey and Jamie Offenbach.
This macabre, edgy collection of songs with eerie themes stars HOT Orvis Opera Studio Resident Artists Leslie Goldman, Sarah Lambert Connelly, and Oaklea Rowe as the three witches inspired by Macbeth, joined by Blythe Iakuinipua’okahana Kelsey and Falefia Jr.Brandon Fuamatu.
The production also features a recording of Mussorgsky’s “Songs and Dances of Death”by the internationally acclaimed Hawaiian Baritone Quinn Kamakanalani Kelsey, reimagined as a ballet choreographed by James Wright.
MORE ABOUT HOT DIGITAL
HOT Digital Aloha Fridays continue later this Fall with Menotti’s AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS and runs through Spring ‘21 with Mozart’s BASTIEN AND BASTIENNE, Poulenc’s LA VOIX HUMAINE, and concludes with Laura Kaminsky’s newest opera, HOMETOWN TO THE WORLD, in a digital world premiere.
In addition to a season of six pay-per-view productions (ranging from $15-$25/show) and soon-to-be-announced special events, HOT Digital will also feature a number of free behind-the-scenes videos including the first season of HOT Tub Talks, where you can learn more about HOT, the artform, productions, with singers streaming in and singing from their bathtubs!
HOT Digital is also offering content for the whole family, as the Hawai’i Opera Theatre Education Department will release a virtual presentation of The Pirates of Penzance, starring the Orvis Young Voices Studio, along with an Opera Express production of The Mikado, both by Gilbert and Sullivan.
WAYS TO USE HOT DIGITAL
HOT Digital – Sign up for free
Whether you order pay-per-views at your leisure, watch HOT Digital on your computer, mobile device, or screen share it to your television and enjoy the show from your couch, you can sign up for free today at HOTDigital.VHX.TV.
The HOT Digital Pass – Subscribe for $60
Celebrate the company’s 60th Anniversary and sign up for the HOT Digital Pass for just $60. Over 50% in savings, the HOT Digital Pass includes all free content, the six pay-per-view productions, discounts on upcoming special events, and is good for multiple viewing of paid productions from now through May 31, 2021.
The HOT Digital App – Coming soon
Releasing later this year, HOT Digital will be available for download on iOS and Android devices.
For any questions related to accessing HOT Digital, contact the HOT Box Office at 808.596.7858, or email hottickets@hawaiiopera.org.
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Media Contact: Jason Walter / 808.596.7372 / j_walter@hawaiiopera.org