Happenings at Skylark Opera Theatre November 2026
Thanks for joining Skylark at Harvest Time
Skylark was excited to launch its Gatherings with Skylark Opera Theatre series with a cozy evening featuring tastes of fall, autumnal music, and award-winning cider. Soprano Riley Cardona, tenor Felix Aguilar Tomlinson, and baritone Anthony Potts rang the rafters with a spirited performance of fall-themed music, from opera to the musical The Bridges of Madison County. Multi-talented creative lead and collaborative pianist Wesley Frye ended the program with a flourish, singing the timeless classic Autumn Leaves.
Guests sipped happily at a welcome pour and a four-cider flight especially created for Skylark by our hosts at Minneapolis Cider Company, full of autumn flavors like Spiced Cranberry and Peach Cobbler. And a special shout out to cider master Rob Fisk for sharing his expertise in cider making. Minneapolis Cider Company generously donated prizes for our first-ever cozy sweater contest. Thanks to everyone who joined us and flaunted your coziest fall sweaters. You make all of our performances special.
Left to right: Wesley Frye, Anthony Potts, Riley Cardona, Felix Aguilar Tomlinson
Up next in February 2027: the fourth annual Sip of Opera, an intimate evening of vocal music complemented by curated wines. Stay tuned for details.
Help Skylark get back on stage: Give to the Max now
Your gift today helps power Skylark's return to staged productions in 2027. During Give to the Max early giving, you'll fuel the future of opera storytelling while bringing music, connection, and joy to senior residences and audiences through Skylark for Seniors and Gatherings with Skylark Opera Theatre. Click below to make an impact now.
Successful Skylark for Seniors fall series wraps November 24
Skylark singers have been wowing audiences at senior residences in the metro area and beyond throughout the fall, with the final performance scheduled for November 24. Some audience comments:
"I have no words for how wonderful this was"...I feel reborn!"
"Those voices are a gift."
Creative lead Jennifer Eckes did an outstanding job organizing the performances and recruiting the singers, who performed for more than 650 seniors. A special thank you for the generous grants that make Skylark for Seniors possible: Harlan Boss Foundation for the Arts & M. Heilmaier Charitable Foundation.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Other Holiday Entertainment Happenings
You can catch Skylark artists past and present all over town this holiday season. A sampling (Skylark artists in bold):
A Three Tenors Christmas
Thore Dosdall and Felix Aguilar Tomlinson join with Nathan Bird as the NorrSound Tenor Trio performing a Christmas variety show inspired by the original three tenors, Domingo, Carreras, and Pavarotti. Besides classics like Cantique de Noël (O Holy Night) and The Christmas Song they'll perform opera favorites such as Nessun Dorma from Turandot, and a playful new Christmas parody of Funiculi Funicula by a local poet and friend of the trio. A Three Tenors Christmas runs November 27-29th for four performances at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
The Holiday Songbook
Enjoy a performance of holiday favorites presented by Jennifer Eckes, along with Erin Schwab and James Rocco. Andy Fleser accompanies them in a night of holiday songs both familiar and memorable along with a few surprises. Performances on November 29th, December 10th and December 15th at Crooners Supper Club in Minneapolis.
Beyond the Rainbow
November 21st -December 20th, enjoy the Minnesota History Theatre’s stirring musical tribute to Judy Garland with a virtuoso cast that includes Norah Long. Set around Garland’s iconic 1961 comeback concert at Carnegie Hall, the production features beloved songs, fresh staging, and an inspiring look at the Minnesota music icon’s journey from Grand Rapids to Hollywood fame.
Annie
The cast for Chanhassen Dinner Theaters' production of this heartwarming musical blockbuster includes Eve Scharback in the title role (shared with Alayna Gardner) and Anna Hashizume in the role of Grace Farrell. Annie runs now through February 27th on Chanhassen’s main stage.
All is Calm
Theater Latte Da brings back this beloved story of the Christmas truce during World War I, when the soldiers of opposing armies stepped into no man's land to celebrate the holiday together. The ensemble cast is full of Skylark artists past and present, including Bradley Greenwald, Phinehas Bynum, Benjamin Dutcher, Daniel Greco, Riley McNutt, James Ramlet, and Andrew Wilkowske. At the Ritz Theater, November 24th-December 27th.
Skylark Events Calendar
November 3 through November 24, 2026: final performances of Skylark for Seniors Fall series at senior residences.
November 19, 2026: Give to the Max Day. It’s a perfect day to support Skylark Opera Theatre.
February, 2027: the next Gatherings with Skylark Opera Theatre event, Sip of Opera.