Opera in the Outfield

Washington National Opera (WNO) celebrates its fifth season of free
opera simulcasts at Nationals Park with the M&M’S
® Opera in the Outfield performance of the
American classic Show Boat on Saturday, May 18. Gates open at 5 p.m. for “pregame” activities
for the entire family. Show Boat will be broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House to
the high-definition screen at the ballpark at 7 p.m. Free seating will be available on the outfield
grass and in the stands. Registration, including a chance to win prizes, is now open at
OperaintheOutfield.org.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the festive ballpark atmosphere.
Beginning at 5 p.m., the special pregame entertainment will include:
 Dance demonstrations from the time periods of Show Boat by Gottaswing.
 Performances from Washington Performing Arts Society’s Children of the Gospel Choir.2
 Photo opportunities with the living statue of Babe Ruth.
 A meet-and-greet with M&M’S® Ms. Brown.
 A special costume trunk where kids of all ages can play dress up using a wide variety of
costumes and accessories.
 Face painting by theatrical makeup artists.
 American Heritage Chocolate demonstrations and lessons in chocolate history.
 A screening of the Warner Bros. cartoon “What’s Opera Doc?” starring Bugs Bunny. With
a libretto set to Wagner’s iconic “Ride of the Valkyries,” this parody of opera is best
known for Elmer Fudd’s proclamation “Kill the wabbit!”
 Chances to win prizes, including tickets to Kennedy Center performances, a year’s supply
of M&M’S
®
candy, and more.
Hosted by Show Boat director and new WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello,
Show Boat will be broadcast live to the Nationals’ state-of-the-art HD video board, which at 4,811
square feet is among the largest in the country. Show Boat is performed in English and the
musical numbers are presented with projected English titles, making it easy to follow along with
the story and music. M&M’S
® Opera in the Outfield will take place rain or shine—in case of
inclement weather, covered seating is available.
Registration for the free M&M’S
® Opera in the Outfield simulcast at Nationals Park
begins today at OperaintheOutfield.org. Attendees who register in advance will be entered to win
“A Night at the Kennedy Center” on Saturday, October 12, 2013, including two tickets to the
opening night performance of The Force of Destiny, free drinks from the Kennedy Center lobby
bars, and admission for two to the post-performance Opening Night Celebration. (Registration is
encouraged but not required for admission into Nationals Park; walk-ins are welcome.) Groups of
10 or more can call the Kennedy Center’s Group Sales Office at (202) 416-8400 to arrange for a
reserved seating section at Nationals Park.
Due to the popularity of M&M’S
® Opera in the Outfield, patrons wishing to sit on the
outfield grass will need to pick up a free wristband when they enter Nationals Park. The
wristbands (one per person) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be
distributed at a table to the left of Center Field Plaza near the Family Picnic Area (at sections 141-
143) beginning at 5 p.m. Once all of the available wristbands have been claimed, an
announcement will be made over the stadium sound system and field access will be closed to
those without a wristband. Plentiful free seating will always be available in the stands throughout
the evening. For more information on seating options, patrons can visit OperaintheOutfield.org.3
Accessible seating is available throughout Nationals Park, and assistive listening devices
are also available. For additional information about accessibility or to request an accommodation,
patrons can visit the Nationals’ website or contact the Kennedy Center’s Accessibility Office at
(202) 416-8727 or access@kennedy-center.org.
Regular concessions will be available throughout the ballpark, and special picnic baskets
can be ordered in advance. Menus and order forms are available at OperaintheOutfield.org.
Next season, in May 2014, WNO will present Mozart’s classic The Magic Flute as part
M&M’S
® Opera in the Outfield. The Magic Flute is a delightful fairy tale, a fantastic adventure
filled with danger and temptation, and a profound reflection on spiritual enlightenment. Sung in
English and featuring a colorful kaleidoscope of sets and costumes by Japanese American artist
Jun Kaneko, it’s a perfect opera for the entire family. The performance date for the May 2014 live
broadcast of The Magic Flute will be announced in the fall.