05/22/2026
Life, Love, and Longing -- A Musical Cabaret will be in performance on June 5 and 6. The evening will feature intimate performances of songs from Les Miserables, Wicked, South Pacific, Ragtime, Into the Woods, The King and I and much more.
This “come-as-you-are” concert will feature performances of some of your favourite songs, complimentary epicurean delights from Capital Grill, and refreshments (cash bar).
Thank you to Simon Fuller for his feature in this week's Winnipeg Free Press Commyunity review.
Tickets available at www.littleopera.ca/tickets
CROSSING THE BRIDGE BETWEEN OPERA AND MUSICAL THEATRE
Little Opera Company to present Life, Love, and Longing – A Musical Cabaret on June 5 and 6
It’s billed as a musical cabaret “that dances on the line between opera and musical theatre,” and that’s exactly what the Little Opera Company’s performances of Life, Love, and Longing — A Musical Cabaret will do.
The June 5 and 6 shows at the First Unitarian Universalist Church will feature the talents of Winnipeg vocalists Donnalynn Grills; Margot Harding; Sloan Smith; Joanna Loepp Thiessen; Nolan Kehler; Matt Pauls; and Raymond Sokalski; accompanied by pianist Cary Denby.
“We’re hoping to celebrate the relationship between musical theatre and opera,” said Little Opera Company’s artistic director Spencer Duncanson.
Little Opera Company’s artistic director Spencer Duncanson is pictured here. The company will perform Life, Love, and Longing — A Musical Cabaret on June 5 and 6 shows at the First Unitarian Universalist Church.
Little Opera Company’s artistic director Spencer Duncanson is pictured here. The company will perform Life, Love, and Longing — A Musical Cabaret on June 5 and 6 shows at the First Unitarian Universalist Church.
“So many people think these are at opposite ends of the spectrum … but the bridge has been crossed many, many times by opera and musical theatre performers. They have something in common, as they are both using music to move things along emotionally,” said Duncanson, noting how opera has a history of being performed in pubs, which may not necessarily be well known.
Without giving too much away, the themes explored in Life, Love, and Longing — A Musical Cabaret include the “everyday aspect of raising children” and “longing for a world that is perfect, dealing with a world that is flawed,” Duncanson said, adding the show will “end with a surprise.”
The Little Opera Company is a not-for-profit charitable organization, whose mission is the promotion of opera and the promotion of the talented artists who contribute to the production of opera in the city and the province. It has been producing opera and showcasing the talents of local singers and musicians since 1995.
“I like to think the company offers the opportunity to connect the community to the arts and, secondly — provide a service to emerging artists and give them the opportunity to perform and develop their crafts … and providing them with a safe environment,” said Duncanson, who lives in Crescentwood.
“If nothing else, I hope the Little Opera Company helps build community.”
Rob Herriot, a Little Opera Company board member who sometimes takes on the directing duties, but not for this particular show, describes the company as “an amazing little organization” and echoes Duncanson’s sentiments that it helps local performers launch their careers.
Herriot, who also lives in Crescentwood, said one significant thing about opera is that “many people don’t understand what it is and what it does” and the Little Opera Company helps debunk the perception that it can be “haughty.”
“We’re not high-brow, and you don’t need to wear a tuxedo to our performances; we’re relaxed,” he said.
“The upcoming show promises to be a really fun evening. Come in, have a drink, and enjoy the repertoire.”
“Spencer is doing something really cool here… in a different way. It’s a really fun, great company,” Herriot added.
Life, Love, and Longing marks the end of the company’s 31st season. The “come-as-you-are” concerts are slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. and will also feature food from Capital Grill, as well as a cash bar. Tables will be set up cabaret-style.
Visit www.littleopera.ca for more information or to buy tickets.
