Portland Opera Presents The U.S. Premiere Of WHEN THE SUN COMES OUT

Portland Opera will begin 2022 with performances of the 2013 opera When the Sun Comes Out, composed by Leslie Uyeda with a libretto by the poet Rachel Rose. This piece, originally commissioned by the Vancouver Queer Arts Festival, is set in a place and time where gender expression is oppressed by the state and being gay is a death sentence. It is here that Solana finds her lost love Lilah, who is now a wife and mother. In reunion, they unearth secrets from the past, fight for a new future, and remind us all that love is love. This poignant and poetic piece features a cast well-known to Portland Opera audiences including Sandra Piques Eddy, Cree Carrico, and Michael Parham; a quintet of Portland Opera Orchestra musicians featuring violin, cello, flute, clarinet, and piano; as well as dancers and original choreography in collaboration with Portland's Shaun Keylock Company.

"We fell in love with this important piece and look forward to sharing this intimate production with the community at our artistic home," says Sue Dixon, General Director. "We cannot forget that it has only been six years since same-sex marriage was legalized here in our own country. At a time when nearly 70 countries around the world still criminalize LGBTQA people, the story of this work continues to be incredibly relevant."

Portland Opera will present six performances of When the Sun Comes Out on January 28, 30m, February 3, 5, 10, and 12, 2022 at the Gregory K. and Mary Chomenko Hinckley Studio Theatre at the Hampton Opera Center. Digital access will also be available for a limited time on Portland Opera Onscreen, starting February 25.

"With When the Sun Comes Out, we are delighted to produce a new work written by a team of two incredibly talented women, Leslie Uyeda and Rachel Rose," shares Priti Gandhi, Portland Opera's Artistic Director. "This production will be the second production of this work after its premiere in Canada, and we are honored to share this with our community."

Stage director Alison Moritz and conductor Maria Sensi Sellner, both in their company debuts, collaborate with a fantastic creative team to bring Uyeda and Rose's piece to the Portland Opera stage. Christine A. Richardson, Portland Opera's Costume Director, returns as Costume Designer, and Cynthia Felice, Portland Opera Properties Director, makes her debut as Set Designer for the production. Solomon Weisbard makes his Portland Opera debut as Lighting Designer and Shaun Keylock will also make his debut with the company as choreographer.

Sandra Piques Eddy, last seen with the company in the 2018 production of Orfeo ed Euridice, will sing the role of Lilah, and Cree Carrico, last seen in the 2017 production of The Difficulty of Crossing a Field and The Little Match Girl Passion, will sing the role of Solana. Michael Parham, a 2020/21 alum of the Portland Opera Resident Artist Program, will sing the role of Javan.

All ticketholders, regardless of age, will be required to show proof of full COVID vaccination or of negative test results from a COVID PCR test (taken within 72 hours of performance time) for entry into the theatre. "Fully vaccinated" means that ticketholders have received their final vaccination dose of either the two-dose regimen of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one dose of Johnson & Johnson at least 14 days before the performance date. Audience members aged 18 and over must also present a photo ID. Trained entry staff will be on site at the theatre to review proof of vaccination upon arrival. All patrons, regardless of age, test results, and vaccination status, are required to wear masks inside the theatre at all times, except when consuming food or beverages in permitted areas. Ticketholders will receive additional instructions about how to prepare for onsite entry activities and what to expect. As guidance continues to change, audience members are encouraged to check our website or contact us prior to performances for the most up-to-date policies. Detailed information about Portland Opera's COVID-19 policies can be found here.

When the Sun Comes Out is generously supported by Remy Wines. Portland Opera appreciates the ongoing support of our generous donors, The Collins Foundation, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Community Foundation, Regional Arts and Culture Council, including support from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and the Arts Education & Access Fund, special support from The CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund, and The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program.

Performances take place at 7:30PM at the Gregory K. and Mary Chomenko Hinckley Studio Theatre at the Hampton Opera Center with the exception of the matinee on January 30 which begins at 2:00PM. One hour prior to the performances on January 28, 30, February 3, 5 and 10, audience members are invited to a pre-show lecture. After each performance, audience members are invited to a post-show conversation with company and cast members. (Please note: there will not be a pre-show lecture prior to the performance on February 12).

When the Sun Comes Out will be sung in English with projected English captions. The running time will be 90 minutes, with no intermission.

Student rush tickets are available for performances of When the Sun Comes Out starting two weeks prior to the performance. Call 503-241-1802 Monday through Friday from 10AM-5PM for more information. In addition, a limited number of free tickets are available through My Discovery Pass, a program created by Multnomah County Library that offers access to local museums and cultural institutions for library card holders. A limited number of $5 tickets for Oregon Trail Card holders are available two weeks prior to each performance, subject to availability. These tickets must be purchased via phone by calling 503-241-1802.

The performance on January 30 at 2pm will include an audio description of the visual and physical events on stage for patrons who are blind or have low vision. For patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing, each performance is visually translated with English text projected above the stage.

Tickets for When the Sun Comes Out are now available for $75. Digital passes to stream this performance on Portland Opera Onscreen will be available for $50. Digital access will be available from February 25 through April 8, 2022.

For more information, and to purchase tickets visit portlandopera.org or call Patron Services at 503-241-1802. For more information, patrons may also contact the Opera Concierge at concierge@portlandopera.org, Monday through Friday from 10PM-5PM.

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