Departure
Departure is your chance to experience something different—an intimate evening of two short operas that draw you into two very different stories. In Down in the Valley, a young couple’s love is pushed to the breaking point, leading to a violent choice that changes everything. Then The Bear shifts gears: a tense standoff between a widow and an unexpected visitor turns into something fast, funny, and surprisingly romantic. Two very different stories. One unforgettable night.
Our cabaret-style table seating is sold out, but general seating tickets are still available for both dates!
May 29 & 30, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
The Studio Loft at Ellie Caulkins Opera House at Denver Performing Arts Complex
Estimated Length: 2 hours with a brief intermission
Pre-show lectures will not take place before these performances.
Creative Team
Director: Dennis Robinson, Jr.
Music Director: Nathan Salazar
Costume Coordinator: Madison Booth
Choreographer: Rachael Harding
Fight Choreographer: Paul Davis
Down in the Valley
A young woman’s forbidden love leads to jealousy, violence, and a haunting reckoning in a stark, American folksong-infused tragedy.
Music by Kurt Weill
Libretto by Arnold Sundgaard
Brack Weaver: Daniel Miller
Jennie Parsons: Bridget Ravenscraft
Thomas Bouche: Oliver Poveda Zavala
The Leader/Guard/Jennie’s Father: Mason O’Brien
The Preacher/Peters: Kevin Spooner
Ensemble: Jordan McCready
Piano: John Morefield
Presented under license from G. Schirmer, Inc., copyright owners.
The Bear
A fiery widow and a blustering creditor clash in a battle of grief, pride, and passion that turns Chekhovian comedy into sparkling operatic farce.
Music by William Walton
Libretto adapted from Anton Chekhov by Paul Dehn & William Walton
Lyrics by Paul Dehn
Piano Arrangement by Roy Douglas
Popova: Jordan McCready
Smirnov: Mason O’Brien
Luka: Kevin Spooner
Piano: John Morefield