The Show Must Go On: Fresco Opera’s Most Unexpected Onstage Moments

​Welcome to a behind-the-scenes peek into the wild and often unpredictable world of opera at Fresco! Here are three jaw-dropping moments that prove the age-old adage, “the show must go on” is more than just a saying—it’s a thrilling reality for us at Fresco Opera.

1. The Bottle Blunder: A Close Call at The Good, The Bad, The Divas

Imagine the tension of a Western duel, but the weapons are glass bottles—not guns. During our run of “The Good, The Bad, The Divas,” a real bottle accidentally found its way into a staged bar brawl. Quick thinking and even quicker feet saved the day. Shane Magargal, playing the alert bartender, noticed the mix-up and orchestrated a seamless swap with a breakaway bottle just in time. Our board president, Jeff Turk, turned a panic-inducing moment into an action-hero scene, carefully unwrapping the correct prop “like defusing a bomb in the dark.” Crisis averted, and the audience none the wiser, we had a performance that was memorable for all the right reasons!

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​2. Fireproof Faux Pas: Paranormal Playhouse

Our setting for “Paranormal Playhouse” was meant to evoke an eerie, abandoned theater with tattered drapes and a ghostly ambiance. However, the drama started even before the curtain lifted when the tech director decided to perform an impromptu fire safety test on our painstakingly placed fabric décor. To our horror, he lit a match under the fabric, showcasing our oversight on fire retardant. What followed was a frantic rush to treat every inch of fabric backstage, turning a regular set-up day into a frenzy of fireproofing. Thanks to a quick soak and a strategic retest, we passed with flying (and non-flammable) colors.

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​3. Diva Drama: The Real Divas of Dane County

Never underestimate the drama of opera—both on and off-stage. During “The Real Divas of Dane County,” one of our lead singers tested the limits of patience and professionalism by not learning his music. His threats to abandon the show sent ripples of panic, but we had a backup plan. A skilled tenor sat among the audience, ready to leap into action if needed. The diva’s demands didn’t stop at the stage door; he even insisted we cover his personal expenses, like CPAP and allergy medications. In a twist of resourcefulness, his music cues were hidden within a prop magazine he carried onstage. While he managed to perform without a hitch, his future invitations to our stage were, let’s just say, conveniently lost in the mail.

These tales from behind the curtain are just a taste of the unexpected adventures we experience at Fresco Opera. Each quirky, panic-filled moment only adds to the rich tapestry of memories and stories that make our performances truly one-of-a-kind. Join us next time for more tales that keep our spirits high and our hearts racing—because at Fresco Opera, we live for moments that make you say, “Only in opera!”

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