The St. Pete Opera is wrapping up its 20th season with Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera La Bohème. This beloved opera, which inspired the rock musical Rent, will be performed at the Palladium Theater’s Hough Hall on June 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14. Directed by Matt Haney, with Mark Sforzini conducting, the opera is set in Paris and sung in Italian, with English translations provided.

Local Theater Productions

In addition to opera, local theater enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of performances this weekend. The American Stage presents The Hot Wing King, directed by Kenny Moten, which opens Friday with a preview performance tonight. This dramedy, set in Memphis, explores family dynamics against the backdrop of the ‘Hot Wang Festival.’

Stageworks Theatre is showcasing the musical comedy I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, directed by Heather Krueger. This production, featuring a series of vignettes about love and relationships, opens Friday with a preview tonight. It is one of the longest-running shows in Off-Broadway history.

Concerts and More

Music lovers have a variety of options this weekend. Stewart Copeland, from the iconic rock group The Police, will be at the Capitol Theatre on Friday, sharing stories from his career. Country music fans can catch Hank Williams Jr. at the Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre, with Joe Nichols and Spencer Hatcher opening the concert.

For those interested in classical music, The Florida Orchestra, conducted by Chelsea Gallo, will perform a free concert titled Symphony by the Sea on Saturday at the BayCare Sound Amphitheatre. The program includes Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and other classical favorites. On Sunday, the orchestra will perform Defying Gravity – The Music of Stephen Schwartz at the Straz Center.

These events highlight the vibrant cultural scene in the Tampa Bay area, offering diverse entertainment options for residents and visitors alike.

Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.