OPera Adaptations

Opera Isn’t Dead—It’s Just Been Misunderstood

For as long as we can remember, critics have claimed opera is dying. But if it is, it’s doing it in the most operatic way possible—dramatic, drawn out, and refusing to actually die despite being “mortally wounded” decades ago.

Opera doesn’t have a quality problem. It’s musical theatre on steroids. What it does have is a perception, messaging, and relatability problem—and I’m on a mission to fix that.

Since 2016, I’ve been adapting operas for today’s more diverse, younger audiences. These aren’t the operas your Nana listened to while she made spaghetti. They’re in modern English, run just 60–90 minutes, and feature only the best music. Think of them as the pilot episodes of opera—tight, accessible, and binge-worthy. We've all sat through the first episode of a show wondering when it’s going to stop dragging—my versions are the opposite of that.

Want to know more about these adaptations or commission a new one? Click the “Contact Me” tab—I’d love to chat.

  • Same amazing music, only the Almaviva’s are in modern times, with rich people problems. Susanna and Figaro are still about to marry, when they get roped into the Count’s scheme. Meanwhile, Cherubino is still a thorn in the Count’s side, whilst pricking the heart of the Countess.

  • Set in a strip club in rural America, it’s Latin night and the strippers are striking due to poor treatment by their club owner. Left with no other options, the club owner has to use the recently hired waitress Carmen to save the day. Not only does she save the day, especially after the lackluster show Escamillo does, she’s caught the eye of recently returned from deployment Don José. Their passion is one for the ages, and there’s even a twist ending.

  • Opera’s bad boy has a problem he clearly can’t control anymore. He can’t help that ladies love him, but it has lead him to make questionable decisions at best, all the way to possible criminal actions. Prior to the show, he is diagnosed as a sex addict, and his therapist Leporello wants to study him. We watch him, and his future women, grapple with the effects of his condition.

  • It’s a tale as old as time. Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy uses an elixir to help her fall in love with him, et voilà, comedy ensues. Donizetti’s music will have everyone humming long after the show is done.

  • Based on the ancient tale of Helen of Troy and Paris, son of Priam, we find Hélène on the reunion episode of The Real Housewives of Sparta. We follow her journey to find love through the last season, accompanied by Offenbach’s tuneful music.

  • With Pauline Viardot’s charming score, and being inspired by The Bachelor, the drama unfolds as reformed rake Prince Charming goes on a reality TV show to find his princess. The only problem is he’s given three sisters as his contestants, and a father who just wants to get them out of his house.

  • Rigoletto lost Gilda while on a trip when she was young. Now he’s on a mission to find her after finding out she is on Epstein’s Island.

  • Mozart’s The Impresario with lots of other arias

  • Mozart’s Così fan tutte