Los Angeles audiences with a penchant for the offbeat were treated to a true gem during this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival – POPERA. This interactive show, a side-splitting blend of pop hits and operatic flourishes, had the curtains closing on a run of laughter and delightful surprises.
Directed by Bronny Lane and starring the captivating Uma Dobia, an Australian performer with a voice to match her stage presence, POPERA wasn’t your grandmother’s opera night. Imagine a glamorous game show colliding with a cabaret and operatic concert, all while inviting the audience to join the fun. Dobia’s infectious energy took the crowd on a whirlwind tour of pop trivia, cleverly intertwined with operatic masterpieces. From testing our knowledge of iconic song lyrics to delving into the dramatic world of operatic plotlines (think love, loss, and maybe even a hint of political satire!), POPERA kept everyone on their toes. This reviewer can personally attest to the hilarity (and perhaps slight humiliation?) of participating in one of the trivia challenges!
But Dobia wasn’t a one-woman show. She was ably supported by a phenomenal piano-playing assistant who provided the perfect backdrop for her soaring vocals. Together, they were a dynamic duo, effortlessly weaving pop anthems into operatic arrangements that had the audience tapping their feet and yearning for more.
Whether you were an opera buff or a casual music lover, POPERA offered something special. It was a night filled with laughter, audience participation, and of course, breathtaking vocals. Dobia’s voice was a force to be reckoned with, and her playful stage presence made the experience even more delightful.
So, if you missed your chance to ditch the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary, here’s to hoping POPERA graces the stage again soon! After all, who wouldn’t want a night of pop and opera fusion that leaves you humming tunes and longing to hit replay on life?
