Learn more about COLab's past productions!
FOUR SINGERS WALK INTO A BAR
Running time is approximately one hour.
Nominated for the 2022 Free Times Best of Columbia - Best Production,
Four Singers Walk Into A Bar tells the story of four singers, and their egos,
as they walk into a bar to try to pick up dates.
As they sing in foreign languages, there is a handy-dandy Narrator to provide an English translation (with some additional, perhaps biased, commentary)
as operatic absurdity ensues.
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This send-up of operatic tropes features music by Mozart, Puccini, Johann Strauss, and more, with an original script by Maria Beery, and is ideal for both opera aficionados and skeptics alike.
PIRATES OF PENZANCE SING-A-LONG
Started in 2022 this now-annual event is ideal for audience members of all ages
as it is no musical experience required opportunity to participate in a hilarious
Gilbert & Sullivan operetta that contained familiar pieces such as "Modern Major General."
All audience members are invited to sing the chorus parts or to just sit back, and enjoy.
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Physical copies of the score will be available to borrow at the event and
digital copies may be downloaded ahead of time via social media.
THE IMPRESARIO
As our first full-length production post-pandemic we premiered our English adaptation of Mozart's The Impresario at Columbia Marionette Theater in 2021.
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In 2022 we took this production to The Living Room (formerly known as Jubilee! Circle)
and incorporated it into our partnership series titled "Opera at Art Bar" at Art Bar.
This new English adaptation of the libretto is set in modern-day Columbia with contemporary dialogue and is the product of Librettist Evelyn Clary and colleagues Michael Brown and Tyler Eighmey.
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DER VAMPYR!
In partnership with E.P.I.C at Irmo Center for the Arts,
we premiered a fresh English adaptation of Heinrich Marschner's Der Vampyr!
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Directed by Tyler Eighmey this production was recommended
for children over the age of 13 as it tackles such questions as:
"Will Renley Ruthven (Vampire) succeed in seducing and murdering 3 women in 3 days?
Will Lizzie Rose defy her powerful father for the love of her broke writer boyfriend, Aubry?"
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TRIAL BY JURY
Performed as a 'bring your own chorus' partnership with the Dutch Fork Choral Society in 2019, Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial By Jury showcases some of our favorite things about opera; collaboration and comedy.
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Running at approximately 1 hour this work is a perfect bite-size,
arguably absurd, adventure into the world of opera.
CONCERTS
As we are passionate about bringing opera to unconventional venues this often means that fully staged productions don't quite fit. Over the years we have curated unique concert experiences and love planning events to fit themes or partnerships.
- A Night at The Opera
The Venue - 2023
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- Carols & Classics
The Living Room - 2022
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- Irmo Okra Strut
Irmo - 2022 & 2021
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- Opera at Art Bar:
* Still Notoriously Hot *And Bothered* - 2022
* Three Dudes & A Diva - 2022
* The Impresario - 2022
* Opera at Art Bar - 2022
* Notoriously Hot *And Bothered* - 2021
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COVID CONTENT
Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we continued our mission of furthering opera music education, and appreciation in the community through digital operatic absurdities! Available on all social media.
- Fachr!
"For more drama in your dating life."
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- Quarantine Entertainment (including Opera Stories)
Video series of COLab's favorite songs, operatic parodies, and bedtime stories.
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- Quarantine: The Opera
What happens when COLab's members are in quarantine?
Follow their adventures through short skits.
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- Diva the Halls™
"Just in time for Christmas is not the holiday album 2020 wants,
but definitely, the one that 2020 needs.
Diva the Halls™ is a sublime celebration of the unique art
that is Popera Christmas music."
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