Read the review   ● Arizona Opera's production of "Rossini's Cinderella" opened Friday night. Read theater critic Kathleen Allen's review in Sunday Accent on E3.     Look into it   ● Arizona Opera typically offers one or two Opera Look-Ins each season, said Liz Warren, Arizona Opera spokeswoman. Reservations are required. For more information about Arizona Opera's educational programs, visit www.azopera.org or write education@azopera.com

About 150 students got a behind-the-scenes peek Friday at all the work that goes into a magical performance of "Cinderella." Artists with the Arizona Opera gave their audience hands-on demonstrations - revealing some low-tech stage secrets such as starry skies crafted with bits of tin foil hanging by threads, and thunder claps produced by knocking over a wooden box filled with junk. Students appreciated the experience, part of Opera Look-Ins, an educational program run by the opera. Joseph Fulca, a second-grader at Khalsa Montessori School, said he was fascinated by the "break-in-half cup." Head of Props Calvin Clements dropped the cup on the stage to show how it breaks into two pieces - and can then be put back together for the next performance. "It was very strange," Joseph said. Jocelyn Tellez, a sixth-grader at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic School, liked hearing cast member Maryann Madden talk about her most embarrassing on-stage moment: The time the back of her costume came undone, and she had to finish the performance without turning around. "They do a great job covering up their most embarrassing moment. I think one day, I'll come and see an actual opera," Jocelyn said. Shelby Triphan, a sixth-grader at SS. Peter & Paul, said she enjoyed seeing how different lights can change the appearance of the stage. She said she'd like to go up to the lighting control booth some day. "I'd like to watch how they can do it, and see if it's hard to learn," Shelby said. In addition to students, members of Play Crafters, the theater group in the Rincon Country West RV park, were in the audience Friday. Arizona Opera has been hosting Opera Look-Ins for six years. The presentations are free and provide a look at the elements that go into an opera production - sets, lights, sound, costumes, wigs, makeup, props and, of course, singing. Arizona Opera was founded in 1971 in Tucson and has offices in Tucson and Phoenix. All productions rehearse at the company's Ashby Lohse Rehearsal Studio, 3501 N. Mountain Ave. The company's productions are performed in Tucson and Phoenix. Read the review

 

● Arizona Opera's production of "Rossini's Cinderella" opened Friday night. Read theater critic Kathleen Allen's review in Sunday Accent on E3. Look into it

 

● Arizona Opera typically offers one or two Opera Look-Ins each season, said Liz Warren, Arizona Opera spokeswoman. Reservations are required. For more information about Arizona Opera's educational programs, visit www.azopera.org or write education@azopera.com