Welcome to the Madness is a roaming vocal theater adventure about Charlotte Perry, Portia Mansfield, and the founding of the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp in Steamboat. This immersive production was commissioned by Opera Steamboat.

Performances:

Thursday August 22, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Friday August 23, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Saturday August 24, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Sunday August 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM

Synopsis:

The Opera begins in 1901; young Charlotte Perry longs to play the violin and Portia Mansfield is dazzled by a horse and rider. They meet each other at Smith College and instantly feel a kinship. As Portia and Charlotte dream about forming a camp together. Campers emerge and delight in their daily schedule.

Reporters interrogate Portia and Charlotte about dancing. Charlotte reminds the campers that acting is just as important a skill as dancing. Perry-Mansfield is a hub for performing artists in experimental theatre and modern dance. Jose Limon and Harriette Ann Gray appear and perform a life affirming pas de deux.

Portia and Charlotte delight in the camp they created. Louis Horst instructs campers on the importance of music. Marjorie Perry reminds everyone horse riding is also an art form. Self sufficiency is lauded by Charlotte, Portia, and the campers as everyone celebrates Perry Christmas.

Now it is 1994 and the City of Steamboat Springs proclaims July 24th Perry-Mansfield Day. America Marshall, one of the camp's first cooks, celebrates the art of cooking while making peach preserves. Charlotte and Portia are celebrated in their deaths as befits two visionary women who centralized artistic practice and experimentation through the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp.

This production is IMMERSIVE. Audience members will be asked to walk approximately 1/2 mile over unpaved grass, gravel, and dirt paths from the Julie Harris Theatre to the Steinberg Pavilion and back. Audiences will also be asked to remain standing for periods of time. Please indicate when you are purchasing tickets if you or anyone in your party will require vehicular assistance to enjoy this performance.

2024 TKTS Welcome to the Madness

August 22nd, 23rd, and 24th at 6:30 PM and August 25th at 2:00 PM