Mixed Precipitation 16th annual summer operatic adventure
Pickup Truck Opera Volume Four: Faust
When: Performances August 8 – September 15, 2024
Where: Performances throughout the metro and greater Minnesota, including the North Shore, Iron Range, and southeastern MN.
RESERVATIONS OPEN JUNE 15th
All performances are offered for a suggested donation ($5 – $35). Recommended for all ages.
Mixed Precipitation celebrates 16 years of outdoor summer fun with a new production adapted from composer Charles Gounod’s 1859 opera Faust, with a libretto by Jules Barbier and Michael Carré.
Pickup Truck Opera: Volume 4—Faust is created from the combined talents of music director Gary Ruschman (returning for his seventh production with Mixed Precipitation), playwright and theologian Max Yeshaye, stage directors Scotty Reynolds and Jacob Miller, and the Mixed Precipitation ensemble.
In the not-so-distant future, scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Johann Faust faces a planet in crisis but no motivation to spare humanity its fate. He yearns to find a life of meaning and love. Méphistophélès, a mysterious extraplanar entity with a devilish charm, appears with a bargain: Relocate Earth’s climate refugees to a lunar colony and win the love of the brilliant physicist Marguerite. Together, Faust and his mysterious companion launch a fanatical quest to save humanity and reach beyond the limits of human potential. Dr. Faust finds himself torn between the love of his life and the conditions of his bargain. The music of Depeche Mode is laced into this tale, featuring the work of songwriters Vince Clarke and Martin Gore.
Tenor Maurice Fields leads the cast as Faust. Bass Justin Spenner returns to Mixed Precipitation in the role of Méphistophélès, and sopranos Caroline Kouma and Corissa Bussian split the role of Marguerite. Galina Đorđević, Joshua Eidem, Joni Griffith, Jill Morgan, and Nick Miller play multiple roles and multiple instruments under the leadership of Ruschman.
This touring spectacle features the work of set designer Alex Hathaway, costume designer Rhiannon Fiskradatz, props designer Karly Bergman, and stage manager Ches Cipriano
OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES
Their 2024 summer tour includes performances in sprawling parks, nature centers, and farms all over Minnesota. Audiences are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and beverages for comfort and hydration. The performance lasts approximately 75-90 minutes. All shows are outdoors. Watch our website and social media for weather delays.
Mixed Precipitation began this mobile format in 2020, using a blue 2011 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck and a trailer as the container and platform for the opera’s action. In addition to the performances listed below, the Pickup Truck will bring pop-up performances to audiences on neighborhood streets, public squares, libraries, and care facilities.
RESERVATIONS OPEN JUNE 15th
ACCESS SERVICES
Please watch our website for information about access services offered at Mixed Precipitation performances.
2024 Summer Tour
Thursday, August 8th at 7:00 pm – Whiteside Park
721 East Sheridan Street, Ely, MN 55731
Friday, August 9th at 6:30 pm – Hovland Town Hall,
4957 East Highway 61, Hovland, MN 55606
Benefit performance for the Hovland Volunteer Fire Department.
Presented by the North Shore Music Association and Opp-Hvidston Foundation
Saturday, August 10th at 3:00 pm – Sweethearts Bluff in the Grand Marais Recreation Area
114 South 8th Avenue West, Grand Marais, MN 55604
Presented by the North Shore Music Association and Opp-Hvidston Foundation
Sunday, August 11th at 5:00 pm – Finland Heritage Site
5653 Little Marais Rd, Finland, MN 55603
Presented by Lovin’ Lake County
Thursday, August 15th at 7:00 pm – Loring Park Garden of the Seasons
1382 Willow Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Friday, August 16th at 7:00 pm – Caponi Art Park
1220 Diffley Road, Eagan, MN 55123
Saturday, August 17th at 6:00 pm – Cheateux St. Croix Winery
1998 Highway 87, St Croix Falls, WI 54024
Sunday, August 18th at 3:00 pm – Franconia Sculpture Park
29836 St Croix Trail N, Shafer, MN 55074
Thursday, August 22nd at 7:00 pm – Dodge Nature Center, Farm Education Center
1701 Charlton Street, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Friday, August 23rd at 6:30 pm – DreamAcres Farm
17289 County Road 8, Wykoff, MN 55990
Saturday, August 24th at 3:00 pm – Patton Park
112-114 South High Street, Lake City, MN 55041
Presented by the Lake City Area Arts
Sunday, August 25th at 3:00 pm – Cedar Lake East Beach, “Hidden Beach”
2000 S Upton Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Presented by the Kenwood Neighborhood Organization, Hidden Acoustics
Wednesday, August 28th at 6:30 pm – Silverwood Park
2500 County Road E, St. Anthony, MN 55421
Saturday, August 31st at 2:00 pm – Alexis Bailly Vineyard
18200 Kirby Ave. Hastings, MN 55033
Sunday, September 1st at 2:00 pm – Alexis Bailly Vineyard
18200 Kirby Ave. Hastings, MN 55033
Thursday, September 5th at 6:30 pm – Bronx Park Community Garden
2500 Georgia Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Friday, September 6th at 6:30 pm – Ojibway Park
2695 Ojibway Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125
Presented by the Merrill Arts Center
Saturday, September 7th TBA
Sunday, September 8th TBA
Thursday, September 12th at 6:00 pm – River Bend Nature Center
1000 Rustad Road, Faribault, MN 55021
Presented by the Paradice Center
Saturday, September 14th at 3:00 pm – Swede Hollow Park
657 East Beaumont St, St. Paul, MN 55106
Sunday, September 15th at 3:00 pm – JD Rivers’ Children’s Garden
2900 Glenwood Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55405