Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard
Link copied to clipboard

An opera in reverse | Morning Newsletter

And Clout solves a mystery.

Kara Goodrich (back) performs as Mimi with Joshua Blue as Rodolfo in a dress rehearsal of Opera Philadelphia’s ‘La Boheme’ Friday, April 21, 2023 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pa.
Kara Goodrich (back) performs as Mimi with Joshua Blue as Rodolfo in a dress rehearsal of Opera Philadelphia’s ‘La Boheme’ Friday, April 21, 2023 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pa.Read moreJoe Lamberti

    The Morning Newsletter

    Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

It looks like it could be a rainy day with a high of 61.

Even if you haven’t seen La bohème on stage, you’ve probably seen or heard it. Starting today, Opera Philadelphia will present a different spin on the famed story of a group of struggling artists in the 19th century.

Our lead story explores the reimagined version of the classic opera. 🔑

If you see this 🔑 in today’s newsletter, that means we’re highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.

— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

Director Yuval Sharon made bold decisions to give the Giacomo Puccini classic a fresh new perspective.

This is the 10th time Opera Philadelphia has presented the work since 1977, but this is something brand new.

The new La bohème is 100 minutes and told in reverse order. It’s a more uplifting retelling that has the story ending of Mimì and Rodolfo’s budding new romance, rather than with Mimì's death.

Part of what spurred the idea of a happy ending was COVID-19 and the subsequent shutdown.

Notable quote: “We’re coming from a period of death and sickness, and so much loss,” Sharon said. “But to come back to the theater means not emphasizing that in a way.”

Continue reading to learn the additional changes that make this something you’ve never seen before.

When you’re done, check out what goes into making all those corset dresses and topcoats for the opera’s 85 costumes.🔑

Clout solved a mystery.

When the Philadelphia Board of Ethics accused mayoral candidate Jeff Brown of illegally coordinating with a super PAC, the lawsuit listed a “former candidate for federal office.”

This unnamed person was cited in the suit for making phone calls to potential super PAC donors last summer to arrange meetings with Brown and pitch a dinner fundraiser.

Hint: He was someone who ran in 2022′s packed Republican U.S. Senate primary.

Click here to find out who it is. 🔑

What you should know today

  1. More than 15,000 people signed a petition opposing the proposed Sixers arena. Dozens of activists protested outside City Hall before hand-delivering the signatures.

  2. Philly mayoral candidate and former City Councilmember Helen Gym is facing renewed scrutiny for a 2019 pharmaceutical bill vote while her husband worked in the industry.

  3. The Philadelphia Parking Authority will launch cycling patrols to crack down on parking in bike lanes.

  4. A lack of nearby dispensaries keep New Jersey cannabis users buying on the black market.

  5. Former Jackass star Bam Margera turned himself in at a Chester County courthouse Thursday morning. He’s facing charges that he allegedly assaulted his brother and made terroristic threats to other family members.

  6. Remember to use our guide to Philly’s 2023 Democratic primary for mayor, City Council, and more.

In case you missed it, dairy cows love Hershey’s chocolate.

The 1,500 cows at Red Knob Farm are eating everything from Kisses to Milk Duds to Payday bars. All of it is from Hershey plants, broken into a powder, and mixed into Cargill’s feed.

The chocolate is an extra source of protein, fat, and sugar but the biggest reason for recycling is cutting back on waste. If not for the cows, the chocolate would be sent to a landfill.

Keep reading to learn how Hershey’s chocolate comes full circle at a Lancaster County dairy farm.

🧠 Trivia time 🧠

The Phillies now have a black Labrador pup, who made his debut Thursday.

What’s his name?

A) Diamond

B) Major

C) Ace

D) None of the above

Find out if you know the answer.

What we’re...

📰 Reading: Columnist Helen Ubiñas’ latest explaining her argument that any one of the three women vying to be mayor Cherelle Parker, Rebecca Rhynhart, and Helen Gym would be the best for the job.

👟Sharing: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run this Sunday.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩

Hint: Love it or hate it, it’s back 🥃

CRISPE STNI CETY

We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if you’d like. Cheers to John Piernikowski, who correctly guessed Thursday’s answer: Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. Email us if you know the answer.

Photo of the day

Happy Friday. I’m starting my day binge-watching Netflix’s The Diplomat. Ashley will be back with your weekend news on Sunday.