(AVENEL, NJ) -- Hub City Opera and Dance continues its tradition of innovative programming with a "food meets opera" double bill at the Avenel Performing Arts Center this March, bringing together beloved culinary icon Julia Child and contemporary competitive cooking in one unforgettable evening. The production will take place March 29, 2025 at 7:00pm and March 30, 2025 at 3:00pm at the Avenel Performing Arts Center.

The double bill features Lee Hoiby's "Bon Appétit!" starring Philadelphia soprano Kaitlyn Waterson as Julia Child, paired with the East Coast premiere of "The Cook-Off" by composer Shawn E. Okpebholo and librettist Mark Campbell. NJ pianist Mingke Zhu, currently pursuing her doctorate in Music at Rutgers University, will partner with Waterson to bring the effervescent style of Julia Child to life.

"These operas demonstrate the power of opera to deal with contemporary subjects we can all relate to: food and TV," says Hub City Opera's Artistic Director. "Putting this into music and words that are so well crafted and touching will give our audiences an enthralling experience."

Kaitlyn Waterson

"Bon Appétit!" brings Julia Child's iconic chocolate cake episode from "The French Chef" to musical life. Waterson, co-founder of chamber ensemble Illumine and accomplished soloist, transforms Child's beloved television persona into an operatic tour de force.

"The Cook-Off," commissioned by Chicago Opera Theater's Vanguard Initiative, follows three diverse contestants competing for a $100,000 prize for the best mac and cheese on the fictional TV show "America Loves Food." The production features an outstanding cast including Eric J. McConnell as host Kenny Kincaid, Alize Francheska Rozsnyai as the perky contestant Ivy Sweet, Ariel Andrew as the charismatic Kendra Smith, and New Jersey native Theron Cromer as latino chef Alvaro Mendez.

"As an Afro-Latino home cook, I was thrilled to see Alvaro's food truck serve Mexican/Soul Food fusion," says Cromer. "His character's journey of pursuing culinary dreams despite family doubts adds another layer to this deliciously entertaining new opera."

Tickets are available for purchase online. The Avenel Performing Arts Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in Avenel, New Jersey.

Theron Cromer

This production is made possible in part through the generous support of individual donors, as well as: grant funding from the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund; the Anna Brisco Memorial Fund; and the Church & Dwight Employee Giving Fund.

Founded in 2017, Hub City Opera and Dance Company provides Central Jersey with fresh perspectives on opera and dance, bringing together amateur and professional singers, musicians, dancers, and visual artists to create unique theatrical experiences. The company has successfully staged several innovative productions, including Carl Orff's "Der Mond" (2018), Granados's "Goyescas" (2019), and creative double bills featuring both classic and contemporary works. Through its educational outreach programs, Hub City Opera and Dance Company serves the community by bringing opera and dance to schools, developing future audiences, and providing performance opportunities for emerging artists. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the company is dedicated to exploring, entertaining, and educating through the performing arts.