American Lyric Theater (ALT) launches a national online auction beginning tomorrow, featuring unique and delicious products from Chocolate Show exhibitors, as well as exclusive VIP experiences and themed items related to the wonderful world of Willy Wonka and all of Dahl's fantastic characters. The Chocolate Auction will begin at 9am on Friday, October 30 and will run for two weeks, ending at midnight on Friday, November 13.
Auction items include:
* A VIP Week Long Chocolate Tour at the Cotton Tree Lodge in Belize
* A Private Chocolate Factory Tour for 25 people at 5th Avenue Chocolatiere
* A Limited Edition Hand Painted Ceramic Sculpture by DaNisha
* Groumet Chocolates and Other Unique Confections from 2 Chicks With Chocolate, Al Nassma Camel Milk Chocolates, Bouchon Bakery, The Chocolate Gecko, Chocolate Springs Cafe, Fika Espresso Bar, Illinois Nut and Candy, Roni-Sue's Chocolates, sweetriot, and more!
* and a 6 Month Membership at New York Health and Racquet Club - so you can eat all the chocolate you want!
Auction items and bidding instructions are available online at www.thegoldenticket.cmarket.com.
ALT will also present 10 Family Preview Performances featuring excerpts from THE GOLDEN TICKET, a new opera based on Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," as part of the KidZone program of family events at The New York Chocolate Show, to take place at The Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th Street, NYC, from October 30 - November 1, 2009.
THE GOLDEN TICKET, by composer Peter Ash and librettist Donald Sturrock, was commissioned by American Lyric Theater (ALT) and Felicity Dahl. ALT is a New York City based non-profit organization dedicated to diversifying audiences for opera by developing new works for new audiences. 100% of the funds raised by the upcoming online auction will be used to support the development of this exciting new family friendly opera. If thoughts of Augustus Gloop being swept away in the Chocolate River, Violet Beauregarde inflating like a giant blueberry, Mike Teavee being demagnified into the tele-dimension, and Veruca Salt being thrown down the rubbish shoot by a gang of nut-inspecting squirrels sound like your idea of a fun night at the opera - or better yet, unlike any night at the opera or theater you've ever experienced - don't miss the opportunity to get a sneak preview of excerpts from this magical new piece with your family, or the opportunity to bid on some truly delicious items and support the development of The Golden Ticket.
THE GOLDEN TICKET Family Previews will take place from October 30 - November 1, 2009 at the KidZone at The New York Chocolate Show, The Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th Street, NYC, with performances on Friday, October 30 at 11am (press event), 1:15pm, 4:15pm and 6:15pm; Saturday, October 31 at 11:15am, 1:15pm, 4:15pm and 6:15pm; and Sunday, November 1 at 10:15am, 1:15pm, and 4:15pm. Tickets for each 30-minute performance will be a suggested donation of $5 at the door. Adult admission to The New York Chocolate Show is $28 in advance at www.ticketmaster.com or $30 at the door. Admission is free for all children under five and free for children aged five to 12 with a two-child per adult limit. The price for an additional child is $8.
ABOUT AMERICAN LYRIC THEATER and THE GOLDEN TICKET
Founded in 2005, American Lyric Theater's mission is to build a new body of operatic repertoire for new audiences by nurturing composers and librettists, developing sustainable artistic collaborations, and contributing new works to the national canon. While many opera companies actively commission and perform new works, ALT is the only company in the United States that also offers extensive, full time mentorship for emerging operatic writers. ALT's artistic staff, guest faculty, and mentorship team includes some of the country's leading operatic writers, directors and dramaturges, including Mark Adamo, Daniel Catán, Anthony Davis, Cori Ellison, William Hoffman, Michael Korie, and Rhoda Levine.
THE GOLDEN TICKET was commissioned by ALT in partnership with Felicity Dahl. For more than three years, Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Director of ALT, has been spearheading the development of this exciting new family-friendly opera. ALT is now partnering with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) to bring THE GOLDEN TICKET to the stage. OTSL will present the World Premiere of THE GOLDEN TICKET from June 13-26, 2010 in St. Louis. The production will be directed by James Robinson, Artistic Director of OTSL, with Scenic Design by Bruno Schwengl and Costume Design by Martin Pakledinaz. Additional production details and full casting for the World Premiere will be announced later this fall, including details of future engagements of The Golden Ticket by ALT and in partnership with other opera companies across the United States and abroad.
