Enjoy a picnic and concert at Pritzker Pavilion.

Every summer I feel guilty for not going to enough shows at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, and this year I'm determined to take better advantage of having such an incredible place so close to home and work. While many Chicagoans still flock to Ravinia for an outdoor concert and picnic experience, I think our own little gem downtown beats Ravinia hands-down. Not only is the Pritzker Pavilion almost always free, but it has an incredible sound system, a spectacular view and sense of place, and a convenient location easily accessible by transit and bike. In other words, going to a show at the Pritzker Pavilion doesn't have to be a special event -- it can be a regular after-work treat.

If you insist on going to the Pritzker Pavilion's suburban counterpart, it's good to note that you can indeed get there without a car, and I have to give props to Ravinia for having an entire page on their website dedicated to getting to Ravinia by Metra.

The Millennium Park music season kicks off on Fri., May 9, with a live simulcast from Chicago Opera Theater. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., giving you plenty of time to pick up your picnic after work. No need to plan ahead -- just stop by Pastoral (55 E. Lake) on your way over to grab some wine, cheese, olives and a baguette. Alcohol is permitted at the Pritzker Pavilion during performances, however, glass bottles and cans are not -- so you may want to bring a thermos. To master your picnic techniques, sign up for Prefect Picnics in the Park on May 15, hosted by Pastoral and the Dept. of Cultural Affairs.

Don Giovanni Live Simulcast in Millennium Park
Date: 5/9/2008
Time:
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Park location: Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Chicago Opera Theater (COT), the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, and Millennium Park Inc. will present the first outdoor, large screen, live simulcast presentation of an opera in the city's history.

Chicago Opera Theater specializes in fresh interpretations of classic operas in order to make the story as universal and relatable as the day it was first performed hundreds of years ago. Don Giovanni is no exception, taking place in a modern day, decadent nightclub where the themes and characters are easily familiar to a contemporary audience.

Don Giovanni marks the completion of Mozart/da Ponte operas from the team of Jane Glover and Diane Paulus after their acclaimed COT productions of Così fan tutte (2002) and Le nozze di Figaro (2005). Creating this exclusive and fashionable world of Don Giovanni is set designer Riccardo Hernandez, costume designer David Woolard, and lighting designer Aaron Black.

Making his American debut as Don Giovanni is Iain Paterson, one of Europe’s leading young bass-baritones. The cast also includes Matt Boehler (Leporello), Michael Colvin (Don Ottavio), Rhoslyn Jones (Donna Anna), Andrew Funk (Commendatore), Isabel Leonard (Zerlina), Krisztina Szabó (Donna Elvira), and Ben Wager (Masetto).

Utilizing the backstage space shared by the Harris Theater and Pritzker Pavilion, the Don Giovanni cast will grace the Pritzker Pavilion stage immediately after the show to take their bows in front of the thousands in Millennium Park.