Dallas Opera: The Dallas Opera Takes Off with Jonathan Dove's "Flight"; Dallas Premiere Stars John Holiday, Abigail Rethwisch, and Will Liverman March 4, 6, 9, & 12

The Dallas Opera

Dallas – (2/XXX/2022) The Dallas Opera has secured the cabin and announced takeoff for Flight, the opera based on the real-life story that also inspired Steven Spielberg's The Terminal. The Dallas premiere of Jonathan Dove and April De Angelis' contemporary masterpiece opens at the Winspear Opera House on Friday, March 4, 2022, at 7:30pm, with subsequent performances on Sunday, March 6 (2pm), Wednesday, March 9 (7:30pm), and Saturday, March 12 (7:30pm). "We are excited to present Flight to Dallas audiences for the first time," said Ian Derrer, TDO's Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO. "This production of Jonathan Dove's new classic is a charming snapshot of airport terminal life with its vivid characters, unusual predicaments, and surprising humanity." Flight's world-renowned cast arrives at The Dallas Opera as local favorites and first-time visitors including John Holiday (Refugee, TDO debut), Abigail Rethwisch (Controller), Deanne Meek (Older Woman, TDO debut), Elena Villalón (Tina, TDO debut), Andrew Stenson (Bill), Will Liverman (Steward), Kristen Choi (Stewardess, TDO debut), Seth Carico (Minskman, TDO debut), Catherine Martin (Minskwoman, TDO debut), and Zachary James (Immigration Officer, TDO debut). Music Director Emmanuel Villaume leads The Dallas Opera Orchestra in the score composed by Jonathan Dove, with libretto by April De Angelis. Kristine McIntyre returns to the production as director, R. Keith Brumley is set designer, Jonathan Knipscher is costume designer, Barry Steele is lighting and projection designer, and David Zimmerman is wig and makeup designer. Synopsis (Morning) The Controller watches the skies high above the terminal, while the Refugee watches and admires her from below. Travelers begin to arrive: a married couple, Bill and Tina, and an older Woman. The Steward and Stewardess steal moments away to continue their affair and the anxious and heavily pregnant wife of a diplomat recently assigned to Minsk refuses to board the plane with her husband. As the Immigration Officer makes his rounds, the Refugee asks the passengers for assistance, but they all ignore his cries. An electrical storm envelops the terminal, grounding all flights. (That Night) While the storm continues to rage, the stranded passengers are at the mercy of their emotions. The Refugee tries to befriend each woman by giving them a “magic stone” that he claims will solve all their problems. Eventually everyone settles in to sleep. Sensing his opportunity to break out of his routine, Bill attempts an illicit affair with the Stewardess. Meanwhile, all the women realize that the Refugee has given them each a “magic stone.” Enraged, they attack him and when he falls to the floor unconscious, they hide his body in a trunk. (Dawn) The storm has cleared, but the women are still reeling from the events of the previous night. Bill’s nocturnal adventures come to light and Tina knocks him unconscious. The Minskman returns for his wife just as she gives birth to their child. The Refugee awakens in the trunk. Bill awakens as an amnesiac and Tina finds a way for them to start over. The Immigration Officer arrives, and all of the travelers are moved to help the Refugee, but there is little they can do. The Refugee finally tells his tale, and the Immigration Officer decides to turn a blind eye and allow him to remain in the terminal. The travelers continue on their journeys.

Flight Program book available here Four performances: March 4 (7:30pm), 6 (2pm), 9 (7:30pm), 12 (7:30pm) 2 hours and 35 minutes, including two intermissions Sung in English with English Supertitles Location: Winspear Opera House (2403 Flora St., Dallas, TX) Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased online at dallasopera.org or by calling 214.443.1000 (Monday – Friday from 10am – 5pm) $15 advance student tickets are available for the March 4, 6, 9, & 12 performances of Flight. $15 student rush tickets are available at the Winspear Opera House 90 minutes prior to any Dallas Opera performance and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. We require one valid Student ID for every two tickets purchased.