Fear not, patient Art&Seek-ers. Stephen returns tomorrow, barring any cliff-diving mishaps. Until then:

Opera thing/chick thing: In its opening weekend, Ft. Worth Opera Festival presents two diametrically opposed feminine archetypes back-to-back: Carmen’s the “bad” girl who values freedom and passion beyond her own life. Cinderella … well, someday, her prince does indeed show up. No need to take sides – the fun is getting caught up in both. But I’m looking forward to balancing things out with Dead Man Walking next weekend.

As Jerome mentioned, opening night Saturday was a hit. So, say they here and here,  was the first performance of La Cerentola Sunday. One note critics rarely get around to: It’s impressive how far Ft. Worth goes to make the opera easy and fun to see. Childcare at evening performances, bus service from Dallas (both free to season subscribers), Carmen in Spanish subtitles as well as English, affordable ticket prices, an opening night atmosphere where  a gown or tux is just as comfortable as  jeans or business attire:  These, granted, have little to do with what happens on stage, but everything to do with whether anyone sees it.  Throw in too, the opera’s sharp marketing materials (I’m curious enough about the artwork for this and next season to wonder if it’s worth a story),  its Web presence in The Scoop, and its outreach efforts in Dallas as well as Fort Worth, and it all looks like  one hopeful model for fine arts groups worried about attracting new audiences.

Long Live the King:  Only three performances left in TeCo Theatrical Productions version of August Wilson’s King Hedley II at Bishop Arts Theater Center in Dallas.  I’m truly sorry that we’re not going to have an opportunity to review this performance, especially since few others have. Here’s what’s been said about it. If I’ve missed a link, let me know or, if you’ve seen it, tell us what you thought.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips: The ukuleles are coming. Finally.