The Golden Ticket which is based on Mr. Roald Dahl’s legendary work, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will see its world premiere at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis on the evening of Sunday June 13. The work was commisioned by the American Lyric Theatre via Mr. Lawrence Edelson and Miss Felicity Dahl in concert with the Wexford Festival Opera, with this first production courtesy of the Opera Theatre of St Louis. The Golden Ticket was written by American composer Peter Ash and British librettist Donald Sturrock. The World Premiere production of The Golden Ticket will be staged by Mr. James Robinson, Artistic Director of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and choreographed by Mr. Seán Curran; with costumes and lighting by Tony Award-winning designers, Messrs Martin Pakledinaz and Christopher Akerlind, and scenic design by Mr. Bruno Schwengl, whose innovative work has been seen at Teatro La Fenice, and the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome. Here is a must watch video discussing the upcoming premiere:

The American Lyric Theatre is a brilliant place in the sun for American Opera which is setting the stamp on the new age of works from American artists. The introduction of their front page tells one all they need to know: ‘American Lyric Theater (ALT) was founded in 2005 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 model for developing new works has some important differences when compared with prevailing practices in the opera field. While the traditional company model in the United States focuses on producing a season, ALT’s entire operations are structured to mentor artists, to develop new works, and to collaborate with larger producing companies to help usher those works into the repertoire’. COMMANDOpera is most impressed with the mission of the American Lyric Theatre, a model orginating from New York City which is unmatched globally.

The performances will be under the baton of British Conductor Timothy Redmond. Creating the major roles within the work Mr. Michael Kepler Meo is Charlie, Mr. Daniel Okulitch will portray Willi Wonka, Mr. David Trugden is Mike Teevee, Miss Jennifer Rivera is Veruca Salt, Mr. David Kravitz is Lord Salt, Miss Tracy Dahl is Violet Beauregard. The Opera Theatre of St Louis has been extraordinarily generous in offering COMMANDOpera exclusive behind the scenes photographs depicting the moments which lead up to the opening night. COMMMANDOpera will present these photo’s in black and white in the pictorial manner of LOOK magazine. ALL photo credits: Mr. Ken Howard.

Costume Designer Martin Pakledinaz with Craft Shop Manager Kate Strembicki.

A costume for the world premiere of the Golden Ticket.

Mr Daniel Okulitch with OTSL Artistic Director James Robinson.

Repetiteur Brian DeMaris with Conductor Timothy Redmond and Composer Peter Ash.

Conductor Timothy Redmond with Composer Peter Ash discuss a point within the score.

Here are two costume renderings exclusively released to COMMANDOpera by the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. There exists a rather magical quality to these renderings which clearly evoke Roald Dahl.

Willie Wonka