She was, of course, referring to the number of times we have discussed poop on Strangerville and the lack of any discussion whatsoever about such topics as classical music.
When we got the email from Utah Symphony Utah Opera, I had only ever been to one opera in my life. It was when I was in college back in two thousand mumble mumble and I took my friend Erin with me to see one that they were putting on in Salt Lake because my friends Andrea and Shane were in it and it has always been a dream of mine to sit in the back of an ostentatious theater and use those little binoculars while saying things like "superb" and "grey poupon."
As we walked out of the show
Erin: That was really cool.
Eli: It was really cool.
Erin: I bet it would be interesting to go to an opera in English sometime.
Eli: Uh . . . Erin . . . that was in English.
Erin: . . . ok, I'm not good enough of a person to go to operas.
So with that background, our friend with the Utah Opera kindly offered us tickets to see Moby Dick, which is the show they've been running in Salt Lake City this month.
I brought Jolyn with me, because she's a classier person than I could ever be. Meg brought her husband, who, she has now screamed on a number of occasions in response to general internet confusion, IS NOT ELI THANK GOD.
Jolyn and I attempted to video document the whole thing:
Then we made Meg have an awkward photo shoot with us in public.
To our great surprise, we were not once kicked out of the place. And we had a great time.
I sold my soul and this post is probably hashtag sponsored but I'm not even remotely sorry about it because I am super proud to be one small usually-too-trashy voice in my neck of the woods trying to promote the really wonderful arts scene we have in my beloved city. Even though I'm not really an opera person (read: knows nothing about opera), I was blown away by how talented the people were, how incredible the stage was, and how much I have sung in an operatic voice in the last five days.
YOU'RE WELCOME, MY NEIGHBORS.
Utah Symphony Utah Opera was kind enough to sponsor this week's Strangerville episode on top of allowing us to attend their wonderful show. It was strangely perfect timing because when they reached out to us we were in the process of organizing an interview of Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick, author of The Encore: A Memoir in Three Acts, which includes an incredible account of Charity's experience of twice receiving a double-lung transplant.
Today's episode is one of the most incredible stories we have been able to share on Strangerville. Please check it out. And help show some thanks to Utah Symphony Utah Opera by checking out their shows and subscribing to their fun podcast, The Ghost Light.
This time in Strangerville, Meg hangs out with Mitt Romney, Eli makes a huge mistake in San Francisco, the Utah Opera/Utah Symphony drops by to remind us that all theaters are haunted, and an opera singer survives two double-lung transplants.
Segments:
1. The Ghost Light, by Jeff Counts (music: Prelude to Moby-Dick by Jake Heggie) (Starts at 12:11)
2. The Encore, by Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick (music provided by bensound.com) (Starts at 20:45)
~It Just Gets Stranger
I work in my city’s theater which houses our world-class orchestra, (which, btw, was up fpr a Grammy tonight) and opera. I’m so glad you could appreciate the talent of these amazing people but, next time you go, suit and tie. Theaters are classy joints.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I put on pants. I should get some credit here.
DeleteThe only way I've watched operas are when when they are broadcast to a movie theater, which may have backfired from their original purpose of gaining more of an audience, because I got the satisfaction of feeling cultured without the need of dressing up all fancy-like. Plus, someone would do interviews with the performers between acts, which I really enjoyed, and wouldn't have received if I was in the audience.
DeleteOkay, you get credit for pants. And your hair. It was stellar.
DeleteI actually own opera glasses, just saying...
ReplyDeleteAre you at least going to tell us why?
DeleteMy dad loved opera, he used to take me because my mother couldn't stand it. When I was in college he got me my own opera glasses. I haven't been in the last two years since my dad passed, I really mostly enjoyed seeing how much he enjoyed it.
DeleteI had two people I follow on Instagram go to that Moby Dick and so now I am feeling oddly left out, even though the closest I have ever been to an opera was The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway when I was ten (we rode home in a limo though so #lifestyle) and I have never cared to read Moby Dick. Exciting to have sponsors, and if my little crochet side job ever makes me any amount of actual money, first thing I will do is invest in Strangerville. #roadtoriches #smartinvestment (It is an investment right, like I can bank my retirement on it? Or should I try bitcoins as an investment? #financesmarts)
ReplyDeleteI think making Strangerville your exclusive retirement plan makes a lot of sense for you.
Delete#elifinancialadvisor. Listen, will you also write up my will, and leave all my fortunes to Strangerville? I think that would really go full circle. Also, this way when I am suddenly suspiciously dead, you can be on 48 hours mystery and totes get free advertising for Strangerville. I support all of this. (Not that I am planning to be suddenly and suspiciously dead soon, but someday, amiright?!)
DeleteI just thought it through for about one more minute and retirement plan does make sense too. #soundfinancialadvice
DeleteNot gonna lie, I was initially confused by their logo in your pics on Instagram. Utah Pera? Is that a makeup company? Made out of essential oils? Then you said you were at the Opera and I thought they were calling it Utahpera. After staring at the picture for too long, I noticed the O around Utah and decided it was a sign that I am not classy enough for Utah. (I'm ok with the Opera. I've been to several operas that weren't even in English And the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, but no limo ride home, so I'm pretty classy.)
ReplyDeleteAnd now that I have listened to the podcast: amazing. Thank you for doing these. AND I left a comment on tvjelly on THAT post and mine was supposed to be supportive, so... not everyone hated the post. I am glad to have Meg back too, though.
ReplyDeleteI went to Moby Dick last week too! I'm also too trashy for the opera so I was relieved that I actually had a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Charity's story was amazing. Nice work
How/why do my ribs look pregnant in that photo?
ReplyDeleteYou, and your ribs, do NOT look pregnant. I didn't even know ribs could be pregnant.
DeleteIf you're pregnant you have to name the baby "Strangerville." It's in your contract.
DeleteStrangerville Witlessbobbin Walter has a nice ring to it.
DeleteNo. It doesn't.
DeleteFun hater.
DeleteLot's of tears listening to Charity's story. What an amazing journey.
ReplyDeleteI'd love the opera, if it weren't for you know all that singing (mostly in foreign languages) and dancing and stuff.
ReplyDeleteI love that you guys are doing episodes more often now! Great job with this one.
ReplyDeleteEli! Did you change the end music for Strangerville? It seemed a little different at the very end. Also, great podcast yet again!
ReplyDeleteSlightly. I lost the raw recordings of the music when my laptop was stolen so I had to re-record all of it. Better? Worse? Should I record again?
DeleteHey, tell your anxiety to calm down. It was beautiful before and it's beautiful still. Also, you did email me a .wav file that I translated to a ringtone called Open and Close Music and I can send it back to you if you need it.
DeleteYes please!
DeleteI'm half interested and half terrified to check out The Ghostlight. Thankfully, Charity's story was so beautiful and possessed all the right feels to not dwell on the Jeff's story. I bought Charity's book on audible within 10 seconds of finishing the episode, so maybe I'll just listen to her after I listen to The Ghostlight.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who noticed that Eli and Jolyn switched places in the car in the video and that somehow Jolyn is driving the car from the right side instead of the left? I’m so confused by this video. Am I taking crazy pills?
ReplyDeleteRandom fact. I have a friend who is a professional opera singer in Vienna.
ReplyDeleteOk this is a VERY late comment BUT Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick is the best person ever
ReplyDelete