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L.A.Eyeworks has been cast for the new production of Verdi's Rigoletto, premiering in Los Angeles on March 1, 2000. Originally set in 17th century Mantua, the opera is set in contemporary Hollywood, directed by Bruce Beresford, Academy Award nominated director of Double Jeopardy, Breaker Morant, and Driving Miss Daisy. Backstabbing, scheming agents, actors, starlets, lawyers, and hordes of studio executives populate the tragic story. Rigoletto costume designer Johann Stegmeir cast L.A.Eyeworks glasses to inform the characters' personas from the "jester" Rigoletto, an agent, to the assassin Sparafucile, now a Stuntman. In a pivotal scene, the men's chorus becomes a mob, donning their sunglasses as a mask of anonymity. Blocking the eyes is a powerful statement. No internal thought is revealed-a perfect parallel to the dealmaking of agents and studios. l.a.Eyeworks frames were chosen for their bold, iconoclastic design that makes them readable from the furthest reaches of the audience. Mr. Stegmeir showed sketches to Gai and Barbara, and together they selected over 50 frames. From the oversized cat-eye for the ultimate Hollywood wife to the menacing wrap around for Sparafucile, the frames define and provoke. Pieces were selected from spring 2000 collections, current l.a.Eyeworks frames, as well as key pieces from the l.a.Eyeworks archives. In keeping with the fashion focus for the production, principal cast clothing is by Giorgio Armani. Take a look : laopera.org The opening night spectacular was stellar, with Kyle McLaughlin, Faye Dunaway, Lauren Holly, Kirk Douglas and a phalanx of press in attendance. This is L.A.Eyeworks second opera in two years. In 1998/99, L.A.Eyeworks designed the keepsake 3-D glasses worn by international audiences to view Philip Glass and Robert Wilson's Monsters of Grace. |