SPEED DATING TONIGHT! Production History

#opera #comic #opera #selflicensed #oneactopera #fulllengthopera ![[Blue neon logo with heart no Brevard 1.jpg|200]] This page has the opera's performance history and background. This link takes you to the [[Speed Dating Tonight wiki]] with lyrics and demos about each song. This link gets you to [[Current Licensing Information for SpDT!]] And this gets you to [perusal scores](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1psyubcsOD8EGB2qSchnvz8TnKqAX3q6t?usp=drive_link) Contact me for grand rights licensing, [contact form.](https://operaandbeyond.blogspot.com/) History In 2012 I had an opera fail. After the premiere... crickets. No interest in a future production. I needed to do some soul searching and realized that my most successful opera prior to 2013 was BUOSO'S GHOST a comedy for which I had written the music and words myself. So when Dean Anthony suggested an opera about speed dating for the Janiec Opera at Brevard Music Center, I jumped on it. The first version of the opera had 25 dater options. In 2025, I wrote the 100th option and consider the opera "done." Having had nearly 150 productions by 2025, the opera's success is due to its flexibility. Most of the pieces are ungendered and available in High, Medium, and Low. The order of the show is also up to the producer. You really can't say you can't do the opera. It has been done with a half dozen performers and also done with an intermission and a cast of over forty. Although it hasn't caught on as a name, I call the genre the "new numbers opera." Audiences come to the opera to hear the numbers--the "habanera," "the toreador song," or "the ride of the Valkyrie." They don't come to the opera for the spectacle, the witty dialogue, or the subtle characterization. Those kinds of things, while terribly important, are probably better done in movies, plays, or novels. Opera is best at *characterization through music*. PERFORMANCE HISTORY (multiple productions have a number by them) including university productions, professional companies, student clubs, and high school productions. Janiec Opera of the Brevard Music Center (2), Southern Utah University, Amarillo Opera (3), Ithaca College, Microscopic Opera, Poor Richard's Opera, Seattle Fringe/Opera on Tap, Winter Opera St. Louis, Texas State University, Tri Cities Opera, McGill University, University of Texas-Austin, Intimate Opera, University of Memphis, George Washington University, University of South Carolina, West Liberty University (2), University of Texas-El Paso, Arkansas State University, Humboldt State University, Emerald City Opera, University of Wisconsin-Steven's Point, Rimrock Opera, University of Wisconsin-Appleton, University of New Mexico, Georgia Southern University, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Auburn University, Sam Houston State University, Gulfshore Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera Theater, Syracuse University-Setnor School of Music, Bemidji State University, Emerald City Opera, Appalachian State University, Stanford Light Opera, West Texas A&M, Adelphi University, Central College, Piedmont College, Alamo City Opera, University of Delaware, Kansas State University, Ouachita Baptist University, USC Opera Club, Savannah Voice Festival, Truman State University, Palm Springs Opera Guild, Opera Idaho, SUNY Potsdam, University of Central Oklahoma, Northern State University, University of Arizona, Opera Roanoke, Columbus State University, Gettysburg College, Western North Carolina University, Slippery Rock University, College of New Jersey, Jocelyn van Wyk-Independent Producer, Oklahoma State University, Austin College, Petrie School of Music at Converse University, Opera 180, UT Chattanooga, University of Nebraska-Omaha, L'arietta Productions (Singapore), Otterbein University (2), University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of West Georgia, Southwest Baptist University, Brooklyn College Hofstra University, Arizona State University, NYU-Steinhardt, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of South Dakota-Vermillion, Concordia University, Western Connecticut State University, Oklahoma City University Student Club, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Viterbo University, Opera Santa Barbara, University of Maryland Student Club, Texas Christian University, Taos Opera Institute (2), Cal State Northridge, Iowa State University, Trinity University, Butler University, University of Connecticut, Florida State University, Whitworth University, University of Central Florida (2), University of Lynchburg, Eastern Michigan University (2), Missouri State University (2), Boise State University, Midwestern State University, Keene State College, Vanderbilt University (2), Fargo-Moorhead Opera (4), Lyric Opera of the North (LOON), Orange County School of the Arts, Temple College, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Southwestern University (2), Adrian University, Buffalo Opera Unlimited, New Mexico State University, Bellissima Opera, University of Louisville, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Simpson College, Shreveport Opera (3), Dee Opera, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, Virginia Commonwealth University, Northern Arizona University, Central Washington University, Luther College, Augusta University, Truman State University (2), Delaware Valley Opera. Speed Dating Tonight! is no doubt going to be my most successful work. After my wife Barbara and I die, the licensing (and income) for SPEED DATING TONIGHT! will be taken over by the [National Opera Association](https://www.noa.org/about/contact_us.html). Music Drama in One Act SCRIPT/LIBRETTO Words and Music by Michael Ching Conceived by Dean Anthony Premiere July 25-27, 2013 Janiec Opera Company, Brevard Music Center Directed by Dean Anthony Eileen Downey Music Director 1-25, Commissioned by the Janiec Opera of Brevard Music Center Orchestrations 1-25 commissioned by Microscopic Opera, Pittsburgh The Amarillo Dates, 26-31, Commissioned by Amarillo Opera The Steamboat Dates, 32-40, Commissioned by Emerald City Opera The Alamo City Dates, 41-45, Commissioned by Alamo City Opera The UDel Dates 46-48, Commissioned by the University of Delaware 49 Commissioned by the USC Chamber Opera 52-54 Commissioned by the Savannah Voice Festival 57/58 Commissioned by the University of Central Oklahoma 59/60 Commissioned by the University of Arizona 61 Commissioned by the Amarillo Opera 62 Commissioned by Northern State University 64 Commissioned by Eastern Michigan University 65 Commissioned by SUNY Potsdam 69-70 Commissioned by Austin College 71-73 Commissioned by Fargo Moorhead Opera 74-83 Commissioned as a Prequel ALL DRESSED UP (No Place to Go) by L’Arietta Productions 84-86 Commissioned by Lawrence Conservatory 87-88 Commissioned by the University of South Dakota-Vermillion 89-92 Commissioned by the Shreveport Opera (Lyrics by Steve Aiken) 93 Commissioned by Trinity University 94 Commissioned by Shreveport Opera (Lyrics by Steve Aiken) 95 Commissioned by Buffalo Opera Unlimited 96-97 Commissioned by Shreveport Opera (Lyrics by Steve Aiken) 99-100 Commissioned by Baldwin Wallace Conservatory 101 Commissioned by Shreveport Opera (Lyrics by Steve Aiken) Cast Bartender, Baritone Waitress, Mezzo soprano Bus Boy/Girl Mute (one line in Dater #5) or with The song “Party in my head”#5B (role can be cut entirely) Kaylee, the dating coordinator, Soprano or mezzo Kaylee can participate in some dates Dater #22 (OSD), Baritone Dater #23, Soprano All the rest of the dates 1+ are ad lib. GENDER SPECIFIC ROLES AND NOTES Daters #9 (Talkative Girl) and #10 (Steampunk Girl) are specifically female Dater #19 (Car Man) is male Dater #13 Duet should take place after Dater #13 (Combat Photographer) and 13B (Hostage) Dater #12 should be followed by 12B (Leaving) and the Coordinator’s song 12C There is an alternate location for 12C very near the end. Ex-Duet should take place sometime after Dater #9 (Talkative Girl) and Dater #19 (Car Man) Dater #1 was always first, but it is no longer mandatory. The opening and closing scenes are fixed, but the order of the dates and the duets is left up to the producers. Voice types and even most genders are flexible as well. [[SELF LICENSED]] [[Speed Dating Tonight wiki]]