D I G I T A L P R O G R A M

Many of us might already be familiar with the traditional version that inspired the musical Rent, featuring various scenes in the lives of four struggling artists: a poet, a painter, a musician and a philosopher. One Christmas Eve, their neighbor, the seamstress Mimì, knocks at their door, asking for a light for her candle. She quickly falls in love with the poet, Rodolfo, and their lives are changed forever. Our Bohemians attempt to find their way despite the dark realities of the world in this timeless story of the magic of first love, the special innocence of youth, and the devastation of loss.

Composer: Giacomo Puccini (1858 - 1924) was an Italian composer, regarded as the greatest and most successful proponent of Italian opera after Verdi. His most renowned works are La bohème (1896), Tosca (1900), Madama Butterfly (1904), and Turandot (1924), all of which are among the most frequently performed and recorded of all operas.

Adaptation Librettist: Kristine McIntyre has directed more than 100 operas with a focus on new, contemporary and American works, including the world premiers of Laura Kaminsky and Kimberly Reed's Hometown to the World at the Santa Fe Opera, Kristin Kuster and Mark Campbell's A Thousand Acres for Des Moines Opera, based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning novel by Jane Smiley, and the first opera written to be performed in a planetarium, Galaxies in Her Eyes by Mark Lanz Weiser and Amy Punt. She collaborated with several companies on the filming of her bilingual Spanish-English adaptation of The Barber of Seville, one of the many operas she has adapted and directed for education and community opera programs throughout the country. Kristine began her opera career at the San Francisco Opera and then spent eight years on the directing staff of the Metropolitan Opera where she directed numerous revivals. Kristine holds a B.A. in English Literature from Georgetown University, spent her junior at Oxford University studying and directing Shakespeare and has an M.A. in Theatre from the University of Hull in England.

Piano: Josie DiPhilippo* is a musician from South Portland, Maine and has been studying piano for 18 years. She received a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and is working toward a master’s degree with Dr. Laura Kargul at the University of Southern Maine. Recently, Josie was offered a graduate assistantship and worked with the Osher School of Music vocal department as a collaborator and accompanist. She was the music director for USM’s production of Nine (2022) and the assistant music director for their production of Into the Woods (2023). Josie has been a choral accompanist at Scarborough High School since 2019 and was also the rehearsal accompanist for Opera Maine in 2019. Josie enjoys promoting classical music through community outreach and spent three years working as the community coordinator for the Portland Symphony Orchestra to present musical events for all ages. Honors include winner of the USM Concerto Competition (2018, 2020, and 2022), first prize in the Ocy Downs Competition (2016), first prize in the Pine Tree Piano Competition (2016), winner of the USM Youth Ensemble Scholarship Competition (2016), second prize in the Lucia A. Wright piano competition (2019), recipient of the Frank Glazer Award and recipient of the Kotzschmar Memorial Trust Scholarship (2016). She was also a featured performer in the USM Scholarship Gala (2017, 2019, and 2022) and the USM Honors Recital (2018-2020).

Rodolfo: Described as a "powerfully voiced" tenor of "tonal richness", Robert Gerold* is delighted to join Opera in the Pines this season for their production of Bar Crawl Bohéme! Most recently seen returning to Des Moines Metro Opera to cover the role of Larry in the world premiere of A Thousand Acres, Robert has performed across the country with Sarasota Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, among others, as well as internationally in Italy (Ischia, Arezzo, and across Tuscany). Having recently moved to Portland, Robert has performed with the City Theater of Biddeford in their musical theatre productions of Miracle on 34th Street and Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash. Robert is an alumnus of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

Musetta: Dramatic coloratura soprano Mary Johnston Letellier* (she/her) looks forward to a role premiere as the Queen of the Night in New England Conservatory's production of Die Zauberflöte. This past year, she had the honor of singing the soprano soloist at the Assabet Valley Mastersinger's concert of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem and made her debut as soprano soloist of Haydn's The Seasons. She appeared as Violetta in MassOpera’s unique production of La Traviata and covered the role of First Lady in Die Zauberflöte with Opera Maine. This summer, she will sing the role of Grace for Snowlion Repertory’s The Christmas Bride in Concert; she debuted the role of Conrad/Conradine for their production of The Secret Princess last year. In addition to performing, Ms. Letellier runs her MJL Voice Studio, is Artist Faculty at the University of Southern Maine, is a teaching assistant at 317 Main Community Music Center, serves as the President of Maine NATS and is completing her doctoral work at the New England Conservatory of Music. 

Schaunard: Daniel Laverriere*, baritone, is a recent graduate from the University of Southern Maine’s Osher School of Music with dual degrees in Music Performance and Music Education. During his time at USM, Daniel sang the role of Papageno (Die Zauberflöte) and performed in scenes as Dancaïro (Carmen), Zurga (Les pêcheurs de perles), Sulpice (La fille du régiment), Guglielmo (Cosí fan tutte), and Maximillian (Candide) in USM’s Opera Workshop. In the summer of 2022, he performed the roles of Prince Dauntless (Once Upon A Mattress) and Interrogator/Estonian Frank/Senator McCarthy (Fellow Travelers) at the Seagle Festival in Schroon Lake, NY.

Marcello: Baritone Joshua Miller* is a Maine native hailing from Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine Osher School of Music, where he studied vocal performance with the late great Ellen Chickering. After graduation, Josh moved to New York City to participate in the many opportunities afforded to singers. Some of Joshua's favorite career performances include Harašta in Janáček's Prihody Lišky Bystroušky with Dell'arte Opera Ensemble, Pish-Tush in NYGASP's reimagined Gilbert and Sullivan classic The Mikado and Sam in Metro West Opera's staging of Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti. In recent years, Joshua has turned his attention to oratorio, performing as the baritone soloist in Mendelssohn's Elijah, Vaughan-Williams Five Mystical Songs, Handel's Messiah and Israel in Egypt. Along with his singing, Joshua is a keen outdoorsman, amateur naturalist and an ISA certified Arborist, all of which brought him back to Maine in early 2022 to live permanently. Joshua is looking forward to his return to the stage and is excited to be bringing this version of La Bohème to people around the state. Many thanks to Opera in the Pines for making this happen! 

Mimi: Kimberly Ouellette*, (she/her) is a Boston-based soprano originally from Lewiston, Maine. Notable roles include Madame Lidoine (Dialogues of the Carmelites), Contessa Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Die Mutter/Knuspehexe (Hansel and Gretel) Tatiana (Eugene Onegin), Mimi (La Bohème), Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Alice Ford (The Merry Wives of Windsor), and Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus). She has premiered several operatic roles with contemporary composers and enjoys bringing new music to life. She also has a strong background in choral solo repertoire, with favorites such as the Brahms Requiem, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, and Mendelssohn's Elijah. Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern Maine Osher School of Music, and a Master of Music from the University of Illinois. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management at Northeastern University. Outside of music, Kimberly enjoys hiking, embroidery, and AKC agility with her 4 year old pup, Birdie. 

Colline: Possessing a voice described as “robust and resonant” by TheatreMania and deemed a “standout” by Opera Magazine, bass-baritone Tyler Putnam* is in demand in a variety of repertoire. Recent performances include Oroveso in Norma with Opera Tampa, Leporello in Don Giovanni with Gulfshore Opera, and The Commentator in Scalia / Ginsburg with Opera in the Heights. This summer Tyler makes his European operatic debut as Sparafucile in Rigoletto with Opera på Skäret in Sweden. An apprentice at The Santa Fe Opera for two seasons, he debuted the role of Kobun in a workshop performance of Mark Campbell and Mason Bates’ The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, sang Zweiter Soldat in Salome, and originated the role of Thomas in the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain. Originally from Chebeague Island, Maine, Tyler Putnam is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Venue Partners

Night One: Based in Freeport, Maine Beer Company* was founded in 2009 by brothers David and Daniel Kleban, determined to create a company purposed with doing good through great beer. Their motto “Do what’s right” is at the forefront of every decision they make from how they treat employees, to the beer they brew, to taking care of the world around us. They’re known for IPAs, pale ales, and commitment to the environment as a member of 1% for the Planet. Their gorgeous tasting room is open seven days a week, and offers a variety of beer on tap, bottles to go, pizzas, salads, and snacks. 

Night Two: One evening over a bottle of rum, Sam Pierce and Dave McConnell thought “What if we could create world-class rums that reflect what matters most to us: community, camaraderie, and embracing the unexpected adventure of making a life in Maine?” And we are so grateful that beautiful idea still made sense to them the next morning. Inspired by a fabled rum punch recipe “one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak,” Three of Strong* was born to celebrate the spirit of spirits, and does rum right, from start to finish. They use 100% organic evaporated cane syrup and molasses, yeast, and pure water from Maine’s beautiful Sebago Lake to craft their premium aged spirits. Their home is a converted warehouse in the heart of East Bayside, where they make small-batch rums, give guided tours, and serve up cocktails that showcase the unique qualities of their craft spirits. 

Night Three: Oyster River Winegrowers* is a small farm winery making lively wines and ciders since 2007 in a low-intervention style from both their own fruit, and fruit sourced from other growers in the Northeast. Both the vineyards and orchards are managed organically. Winemaker Brian Smith believes his role in the winemaking process to be more nature's assistant than winemaker, adding nothing and take nothing away from the natural chemistry of the fruit. Wild discoveries and adjustments occur daily as they strive to bottle the best and most delicious expressions of our region. In the summer months, the barn opens as a popular gathering spot for adventurous wine drinkers from near and far. They also have a wine shop in downtown Camden and their very own wine club!

Culinary Partners

Night Two: Momma Baldacci’s* is a legendary Bangor, Maine restaurant that began in 1933 as “The Baltimore,” established near the banks of the Penobscot River. The Baltimore catered to politicians, artists, movie stars and sports heroes. The restaurant was famous for their waiters in black vests and bow ties, serving up Italian-American specialties the region had never seen before. Lines of customers waited for hours to get a table. The restaurant was forced to sell the land to the city of Bangor in the late 60s, but Bob and Vasco Baldacci built Baldacci’s Restaurant on the site of the old Baltimore, which eventually found a new home on Broadway and became Momma Baldacci’s. The restaurant closed its doors in 2008, but the tradition continues with their eclectic Italian food truck and catering service, as Paul Baldacci carries on the business established by his grandfather, creating new memories and continuing the legacy. 

Night Three: Jess Shepard, the woman behind The Uproot Pie Company*, has a passion for sustainable food, wood-fired ovens, and midcoast Maine. As a recent graduate of the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, she connected with a mobile wood-fired pizza vendor where she learned you can put just about anything in a wood-fired oven! Jessica was hired as a full-time bagel, pizza, and pita baker for many of the farmers markets around Portland. Inspired by bringing the ingredients straight back to the kitchen from the market, Jess knew she had found a way to bake that really resonated with her. Eventually she journeyed back to midcoast Maine, where she was raised by the sea, and decided to take things into her own hands, working with a local sculptor to build a mobile wood-fired oven for the summer market season, catering, and local festivals here in the midcoast. Her sourdough pies, made from simple, beautiful ingredients, will be the ultimate pairing for an idyllic evening of opera and wine at the farm.

Production Director: Sable Strout*

Libretto Updates: Sable Strout*

Production Design: Aaren Rivard*, Sable Strout*, Lauren Yokabaskas*

Supertitles: Aaren Rivard*

Costuming and Props: Sable Strout*

Keyboard Partner: Starbird Piano Gallery*

Branding Design: Allie Norman of Girl That Designs*

Promotion, Marketing and Content Management: Lauren Yokabaskas*

Production Videographer: Drew Buerhaus*

Production Photographer: Jordan Baldwin* of Music Phans Photography

Rehearsal Photographer: Leah Carter* of Leah’s Lens Photography

*denotes Maine based or tied artist or organization

Bar Crawl Bohème is presented by arrangement with Kristine McIntyre.

Thank you to the Episcopal Church of Saint Mary in Falmouth for use of their chapel during our rehearsal period.

Thank you to Rob Caldwell and News Center Maine, Leif Erickson and Frank FM, Sean Murphy and Spectrum News Maine, Kay Stephens and Penobscot Bay Pilot, Gillian Britt and Eat Drink Lucky, The Portland Phoenix, and Maine Public Radio.

A special thank you to Bobby Yokabaskas and Jillian Mercier.

Our cast is graciously funded in part by:

The Bohemian: Steve Brinn, Dakota Brown, Lindsay Kate Brown, Cortnie Curran, Jazmin DeRice, Michael Doyle, Molly Harmon, Melody Chang Heaton, Bill Jenks, Anita Johnston, Daniel Laverriere, Carlton Mabee, Renee Macdonald, Candace Matthews, Bob Morrison, Ben Paquette, Jonathan Prak, Scott Purcell, Timothy Steele, Saige Strout, Carter Tholl, Will Wohler, Anonymous

The Benoît: Mary Mitchell Friedman

The Alcindoro: Kevin Stack

In memory of Ellen Chickering: Laura Fried, Darrell Leighton