New Wave Opera Presenting Pet-Themed O-Paw-Rah

The Wags & Whiskers program is New Wave’s first traditionally staged production.

New Wave Opera at Raven's Manor (Brian Brose)
By Rachel Saslow

It’s an unenviable conundrum for any pet-owning couple: What to do when Fido shows a clear preference for one human over the other? Can the relationship even survive such favoritism?

This high-drama domestic challenge is now the subject of an opera, presented by New Wave Opera. The company will present a double bill of short, family-friendly “o-paw-ras” Jan. 18 and 19 at the Mago Hunt Recital Hall at University of Portland. Both operas are written by living composers and librettists and in keeping with the mission of New Wave Opera to present contemporary, accessible repertoire.

The Wags & Whiskers program—New Wave’s first traditionally staged production—is as follows:

Pepito follows the story of a lonely shelter dog (Timothy Lafolette) who is being considered for adoption by a young couple (Brandon Michael and Lindsey Rae Johnson). But when Pepito begins to bond with one partner more than the other, the shelter owner (Lisa Neher) has to step in and ask: Are they sure they are ready for this?

Meow and Forever features two cats (Lisa Neher and Dru Rutledge) left behind when their owner (Gina Adorno) gets swept away in a whirlwind romance. Despite many misunderstandings along the way, Meow and Forever includes a trio with singing cats and a happy ending.

Wags & Whiskers will be directed by Jeffrey Puukka, with Susan McDaniel at the piano. Puukka is collaborating with New Wave for the first time, but has 20 years of experience directing theatrical productions.

“It has been a dream of mine to direct opera,” Puukka says.

New Wave Opera was founded last year by two Portland Opera chorus members and a composer: Lindsey Rae Johnson, Lisa Neher and Kimberly Osberg. The company only performs works by living composers and is dedicated to showcasing diverse stories and life experiences. (An early New Wave Opera showcase last summer also hinted at an affinity for animal-themed programs, when it staged repertoire about squirrels and cats.)

SEE IT: Wags & Whiskers at Mago Hunt Recital Hall, University of Portland, 5000 N Willamette Blvd., newwaveopera.org/pepito-meow-forever. 7:30 pm Saturday and 2 pm Sunday, Jan. 18–19. $5-$30.

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