High Desert Opera is a nonprofit theater company that produces annual New Year's Eve musical productions in Grand Junction. Stay tuned for our next show!
These shows are fully staged and feature local thespian talent and live orchestra. HDO is a local, nonprofit opera company in Grand Junction, Colorado. We do a variety of shows and performances every year ranging from traditional opera to holiday favorites to musical theater. We use local talent as well as performers from all over the states. If anyone is interested in getting involved with High D
esert, whether its purchasing tickets, audition dates and information, or helping us get the word out, give us a call at (970) 523-96505 or send us an email at [email protected].
12/27/2024
Normally at this time vocalists, orchestra members, and everyone on a dedicated and passionate cast would be in the final stages of rehearsal preparation for HDO's traditional New Year's Eve extravaganza........................................but not this time.
With High Desert Opera closing its doors, we are left with memories and longing for a 22nd-Season show that will never be. Nevertheless, we will continue to share memories and photos from HDO's past productions as a thank you to all those involved over the years in bringing memorable shows to the Grand Valley.
12/27/2024
Production Snapshot - NUNSENSE, Winter 2022
(from left to right in the photo) Joey Stafford, Miriam Deming, Juli Jacobson, Lana Rogal, and Jill Davis as the nuns...
One year after HDO's post-COVID effort (a reprise of Mamma Mia), the troupe brought NUNSENSE to the Grand Junction stage, making audiences laugh and providing a fantastic show at the Avalon Theatre. This would mark the 20th Season of HDO - the 2nd to the last...
11/25/2024
Production Snapshots - The Elixir of Love (Summer 2012)
Sierra Rode, Thom King, James Werner, Chester Pidduck, and South Korea's own Yoo Sun Na came together (along with full orchestra and a dynamic ensemble) to fulfill HDO's 10th Season Opera THE ELIXIR OF LOVE. It performed twice late July at the Avalon Theatre.
Here are some of the notable pics from that fun production...
11/16/2024
Production Snapshots - MAMMA MIA! (Winter 2018)
So many great photos were captured by George Brown during the 4 sold-out performances of MAMMA MIA! at Robinson Theatre 6 years ago. Here are a few of those images...
High Desert Opera would reprise MAMMA MIA! post COVID (Winter 2021) in order to muster a show after the pandemic, but the freshness, choreography, and cast were hard to match from the 2018 running.
11/13/2024
PRE-Production Snapshots: Les Misérables (Winter 2013)
First United Methodist Church in downtown Grand Junction; where so much of the magic happened. Photography was not allowed at the performances, but we do have these...
Rehearsal photos from HDO's most epic undertaking - a year-long effort involving a cast of 50-60 vocalists and thespians and a rehearsal workload that began in the summer and ended with 4 near sold-out performances at the Grand Junction High School auditorium.
"One Day More!"
"Do You Hear the People Sing?"
11/11/2024
Production Snapshot - THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Winter 2010)
Sierra Rode as Maria Rainer
James Werner as Captain Georg vom Trapp
Children of the von Trapp family!
played by Carissa Russell, Davis Devereux, Michael Robinson, Shannon Reeve, Jamie Bourget, Kodi Kirtland, Amber Lively, Chloe Noga, Lilianna Flanigan, Nathaniel Watkins
We don't have photos from the actual performances, but this show ran 3 times at the Avalon Theatre, and was quite the success, with a cast comprising of a full ensemble, young thespians of the valley, and several renown HDO vocalists (like Sierra Rode, Bryan Carlson, Jeffrey Stroud, and Elizabeth (Betty) Bartoszek.
11/09/2024
Production Snapshot - HANSEL & GRETEL (Summer 2015)
Danielle Greiner as Hansel
Karla M. Hughes as Gretel
This goes into the record books as HDO's last actual operatic production, running in the Summer of 2015 half a year before The Music Man would take the stage that winter.
Chuck & Robbie Breaux, treasured supporters of HDO, were the production sponsors that summer, and HANSEL & GRETEL ran 3 times at Robinson Theatre from 7/18/2015 to 7/25/2015.
Production Snapshot - THE MUSIC MAN (Winter 2015):
Sierra Rode as Marian Paroo
Roxanna "Roxie" Madsen as Amaryllis
The Music Man was one of High Desert Opera's more successful Broadway musicals, with 3 performances at Robinson Theatre from New Year's Eve 2015 through January 2nd, 2016
11/07/2024
After 21 seasons of bringing professional opera and musical theater to the Grand Valley of Colorado, from New Year's Eve galas at First United Methodist Church (Winter 2003) to "Always, Patsy Cline" at the Avalon Theatre last winter, High Desert Opera has made the decision to close its doors.
There will be no New Year's Eve show this winter, which means Grand Junction will be without its traditional fully-staged High Desert Opera production.
Over the next weeks to months, our page (and website) will be sharing and posting content celebrating HDO's past productions and providing thanks to the volunteers, sponsors, program advertisers, performers, and everyone in between who shared a role on the literal and figurative stage in making all the shows possible.
It is with a heavy heart that the HDO directors dissolve this bright spot non-profit theater company
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High Desert Opera (HDO) is a local, nonprofit musical theater & opera company in Grand Junction, Colorado. HDO produces professional, high-quality shows each year, receiving contributions from donors, contributors, and patrons across the valley in creating magical on-stage entertainment. HDO seeks out local talent in its productions, which include live orchestra, high-level dance choreography, professional vocalists, and a memorable cast of chorus members.
High Desert Opera has produced such operas as The Tales of Hoffman, The Barber of Seville, Madame Butterfly, and The Elizir of Love. HDO’s Broadway musical efforts include Camelot, Les Misérables, The Music Man, Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, and Mamma Mia!, which was performed almost a year ago in four sold out shows.
This New Year’s Eve will be accompanied by a production of The Wizard Of OZ!, which will be performed at Robinson Theatre on December 31st, January 4th, and January 5th. High Desert Opera looks to welcome the new year and take the stage in its 17th season with this musical extravaganza - marking the 80th anniversary of this timeless classic, but it cannot do it alone, as ticket sales represent a partial source of revenue for the production budget.
If you would like to be involved in HDO’s productions, want to become a donor or supporter, or simply want to contribute in any capacity, get in touch with High Desert Opera:
