Behind the Scenes at the Lyric Opera

March 2, 2:20 PMChicago Gay ExaminerMichael Lehet

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Photo Credit: Michael Lehet

I'm not a fan of opera, but I am a fan of backstage activities.

Alas, I am fortunate though in that I do have friends that are fans of the opera, and they have given me the amazing opportunity to take in two operas: The Barber of Seville and Lulu.  Both of which were exhilirating, but not quite what I'm really into, I'm more of a Showtune/Musical kinda guy, it just is what it is!

But enough about Opera already....let's talk about this backstage stuff!  Every year the Lyric Opera of Chicago holds a "benefit" Back Stage Tour and last year I missed it!   So I made sure that I wouldn't miss it this year.

My friends Todd & John (the boys who so politely invited me to the Opera) and I made our reservations for the opera EARLY, I think the first week that ressies were taken, so that we wouldn't "miss the boat."  We were fortunate to get our first choice (First tour of the day) and we were excited about going backstage.  Todd had been on the tour before, but John and I were both virgins (when was the last time I was able to say that?)

We got to the Opera early, checked in and headed over to the bar where we had our morning juice: tomato with a big splash of vodka.  It was good juice too, they didn't even bother to dilute it with ice - gotta love that!   While we were drinking our juice we had a chance to go through a couple of wardrobe closests that were full of costumes for us to try on....we were in queer heaven - Cocktails AND Costumes!!!

Finally they called our group number and we headed off to tour behind the scenes at the Lyric Opera.  We got a crash course on the history of the Lyric Opera and dove head first into the tour finally heading backstage.  Our tourguide was the current Guild President and she was gracious and filled with information about the opera house, it was obvious that she loves this place.

After we walked down Peacock Alley we stood in the wings of the stage and watched the activity around us.  We were fortunate because they were breaking down the sets for Tristan and Isold so we really got to see something that most people never get to see.  We jumped in the stage elevator and headed to the attic where we got a chance to look at props from old and new shows and then crossed the catwalk where we had the chance to peer over the edge and see the stage more than 60 feet below.  The amount of ropes and cables up there would drive a person that was into bondage into a fit of sexual rage and ectasy, there were miles of the stuff!

We then headed to the Costume department where they teased us with rack after rack of gorgeous costumes that we couldn't try on.  Did you know that the costumes are only dry cleaned ONCE and that's at the end of the performance - of course everything that's UNDER the costume is washed every day.  Before we had a chance to sneak away and play dress up we were whisked away to the Wig Department where stacks and stacks of human hair was just waiting to be made into gorgeous wigs.  The expert explained the intricate process of creating custom wigs; from the measurements needed of the actors head to the "fine lace" that the hair is knotted onto, the same way that a rug is made...hmmm is that why the call wigs rugs?  It was amazing to learn that when a theater "rents" out a show to another company, they rent everything - costumes, sets, scores, etc., everything except the wigs - even if the same actor is playing the same role, the wigs will always stay at the Lyric Opera - interesting indeed.

We had a chance to see where the chorus gets made up, the rehersal room that is the same size as the stage and includes tape markers showing where everything is on the real stage, we got to look at some armaments including swords, guns, knives and even a hangman's noose that gets shot away in the nick of time to save the helpless victim from being killed.  We saw the dressing rooms where the stars prepare for the show and the hall where the "dressers" await their call to help their performer get ready for the show.

We descended into the bowels of the beast and took a look at where the old hydraulics used to be that controlled the movement of the stage above (uhm, they were gone it was just a big empty room now), we emerged in the Orchestra pit and pretended we could play the violin.  We saw where "The Prompter" sits and gets to remind everyone of what their lines are and also check out the monitors that are cleverly hidden behind stage that show the conductor (because he is the true keeper of time at the Opera).

Finally we were lifted by elevator to a door that led onto the stage, someplace that I never thought I would ever be.....standing on the boards that have been tread on by so many famous Sopranos, Altos and Tenors.  At first you're struck with awe by the enormity of it, and then suddenly you realize that there really isn't that much room in the wings, it's single file.  From the audience the stage seems so small, but when you're standing there looking up and around you, you suddenly realize just how big it is, it's breathtaking.  Everywhere you look you see lights, and wires, and cables, and set pieces and huge doors that lead to entire spaces that are even bigger than the space you're standing in.  While we were on stage we watched the Union Men tear down the existing sets, pull lights from their moorings and whisk huge pieces of scenery out the back door.  Did you know that the flyspace at the Lyric is more than 60 feet?  It's one of the biggest in the world!

A little more than two hours after we started, our wonderful guide gave us a final farewell and deposited us back in the Grand Foyer where we had begun our journey.  While we were still taking everything in we looked around and saw everyone enjoying the same things we were enjoying when we first got there.....tomato juice with vodka, snacks and trying on costumes.

Oh to be in the theater!

• What: Back Stage Tour of the Lyric Opera
• Where: Lyric Opera, corner of Madison & Wacker
• When: Sunday, March 15th
• How Much: $35, make your reservations NOW!

Check out ALL of the pictures from the Back Stage Tour