Carmen in the Park

Dallas Opera goes al fresco with season-opening simulcast at Klyde Warren Park

The Winspear Opera House and Klyde Warren Park are neighbors, sitting just a block apart in the Dallas Arts District. But this October, people inside the Winspear and outside at the park will be able to enjoy the same entertainment, as the Dallas Opera will simulcast its season-opening performance of Carmen on Friday, October 25.

The Dallas Opera is no stranger to the simulcast game, as this marks its sixth one since 2010. The opera most notably staged two separate simulcasts at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, drawing more than 15,000 people each time to watch a performance on the big screen at Jerry World, most recently Turandot in April.

The Carmen simulcast is designed to not only give opera fans a chance to see a world-class performance for free, but also to involve them in the proceedings as well.

Prior to the start of the show, those in Klyde Warren Park will get a glimpse inside the Winspear, including backstage interviews with the cast. They'll also be asked to participate in a "Toreador Song Sing-along," one of several pre-show activities.

As always, a variety of food trucks will be stationed at the park for visitors to enjoy, and Savor, the onsite restaurant, is scheduled to be open by that time, giving opera lovers plenty of dining options.

Carmen will star French mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine, who will be making her American debut. The production will play six times from October 25 through November 10.

The Dallas Opera will present a simulcast of Carmen at Klyde Warren Park on October 25.

Photo courtesy of Dallas Opera

The Dallas Opera will present a simulcast of Carmen at Klyde Warren Park on October 25.

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Once More With Feeling

Addison's WaterTower Theatre finds new stage for its summer musicals

Photo by Paris Marie Productions

"Mary Poppins" was the big summer musical of 2024.

Following the announcement last fall that going forward, WaterTower Theatre will occupy less space in the Addison Conference and Theatre Centre, the theater company has found a solution to its venue problem.

It's launching WaterTower Summer Musicals, to be performed at the Dallas College Brookhaven Campus Theatre in Farmers Branch.

An email to newsletter subscribers sent on January 1 — and a Facebook post from WTT on December 31, 2024 — states that the first production will be Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock, set for summer 2025. It will be directed by JC Schuster, music directed by Cody Dry, and choreographed by Alli Betsill.

Both communications include a video that begins with producing artistic director Shane Peterman on the Brookhaven stage, spotlighting the venue's 650 very nice-looking seats.

He and several WTT employees go on to note the success of WTT's last two summer productions, Mary Poppins and the world-premiere Goin' Hollywood, as well as Brookhaven's plentiful free parking and spacious lobby.

"And as for the Addison Theatre Center, don't worry," says Brian Gonzales, director of audience and benefactor development, in the video. "The Addison Theatre Center is still our home, and our partnership with the town of Addison is still as strong as ever. Think of Brookhaven as an extension of the WaterTower family, allowing us to bring the summer musicals to an even bigger stage."

Also found on WTT's website is a job posting for an associate producing artistic director — the same position that Elizabeth Kensek was abruptly terminated from in August 2024.

At the time, WTT explained her layoff this way: "...modifications at the Addison Theatre Centre, directed by the Town’s leadership, have led us to consolidate roles and departments for greater efficiency. This unfortunately resulted in some layoffs and structural shifts."

Applications for the position will be accepted through January 17.

WaterTower Theatre is currently presenting The Play That Goes Wrong, co-produced with Stage West in Fort Worth. The show has recently been extended through January 19, a week past its original closing date.

musicals brookhaven college school of rock video theater