Patrick Stewart Joins Renee Fleming for Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE SECOND CITY GUIDE TO THE OPERA, 1/5

The Second City Guide to the Opera is the brainchild of Renée Fleming. Her idea was to bring together the world-renowned comedy troupe and the opera company, both legendary Chicago institutions, to see what kind of creative sparks might fly. The resulting revue-style show will feature ensemble members of The Second City in opera-themed comedic sketches. Fleming will perform with live musical accompaniment, and both she and Stewart will share emcee duties and appear in satirical vignettes. Mezzo-soprano J’nai Bridges and tenor Bernard Holcomb from The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center will also perform. The Second City’s Kelly Leonard is executive producer; Jesse Case is musical director; and Kate James, Tim Sniffen, and Jesse Case are writers for The Second City Guide to the Opera.

The Second City, the world's premier comedy theatre and largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012. The world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago is in its 58th season.

The Second City Guide to the Opera is a project of Lyric Unlimited, a new, multifaceted program of expanded community engagement and artistic initiatives that includes Lyric's longstanding education programs.

Tickets are now on sale for The Second City Guide to the Opera ($25 to $95) and can be purchased by phone (312) 332-2244, at the Lyric Opera box office, or through the website (lyricopera.org). Benefit tickets are also available ($250) and include a post-performance reception with the artists. The performance will take place in the 3,500-seat theater of the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago. More than 70% of the tickets have already been sold.

Photo Credit: RD / Orchon / Retna Digital

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