DENVER, Colo., March 20, 2023 – Central City Opera toasts to its 91st anniversary at the annual Theatre of Dreams Gala on April 21, 2023 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Intrigue and romance of Shakespearean proportion will accompany a refreshing cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, and delightful entertainment from the cast this year’s festival production of Kiss Me, Kate. Tickets are available at centralcityopera.org/gala.
“I am honored to chair the annual Theatre of Dreams Gala,” says Gala Chair Susan Stiff. “I have been involved with the Central City Opera Guild for over 30 years, initially due to an invitation from our 2023 honoree, Nancy Parker! She is the epitome of devoted leader for the organization. The Gala is sure to be a spectacular evening – join us in celebrating one of Colorado’s most storied performing arts institutions!”
Funds raised will support Central City Opera’s year-round initiatives, including the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program, education programs that reach over 40,000 people around the state, the stewardship of 27 historic properties in Central City and the continuation of the Summer Festival, a Colorado tradition since 1932.
The “Shakespeare in Love”-themed evening starts at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails in the museum’s Leprino Family Atrium overlooking the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains. At 7:30 p.m., guests move downstairs for dinner and a program honoring Nancy S. Parker and her 40-plus years of devotion to Central City Opera’s artistic excellence. Ms. Parker has served on the Board of Directors since 1980 and has been a philanthropic force in the performing arts world throughout Colorado.
Taking the stage with a sparkling medley of songs, 2023 Summer Festival and Kiss Me, Kate star Emily Brockway is joined by Alex DeSocio and Jennifer DeDominici for a sophisticated, romantic and delightfully hilarious performance based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The night is rounded out a live auction hosted by “Fundaneer,” Rylie Behr.
Support Colorado’s oldest performing arts organization by buying a table or individual tickets to the Theatre of Dreams Gala at centralcityopera.org/gala or by calling 303-292-6700.
About Central City Opera
Founded in 1932, Central City Opera is the fifth oldest professional opera company in the country and is renowned for its exquisite world-class productions, competitive and robust young artist training program and creative educational and community engagement activities. Its summer festival, only 35 miles west of Denver, takes place at 8,500 feet above sea level in the Colorado mountain town of Central City, where the company owns and maintains 27 Victorian-era properties, including the intimate 550-seat jewel box opera house built in 1878. Learn more at centralcityopera.org. For tickets and festival information, call (303) 292-6700 or email boxoffice@centralcityopera.org.