A lively battle scene entertained the audience with handmade props and energetic acting. All photos by Haley Brickner. 

By Haley Brickner - Boreal Community Media - August 14, 2024

Mixed Precipitation's Pickup Truck Opera came to Cook County for its 16th annual opening weekend with performances in Hovland on Friday (a benefit performance for the Hovland Fire Department) and Grand Marais on Saturday. The events were presented by the North Shore Music Association and the Opp-Hvidston Foundation.

Since 2009, Mixed Precipitation has been bringing this annual theatrical event all over Minnesota. The troupe uses a blue 2011 Ford Ranger pickup truck and a trailer to carry their stage and equipment, and sometimes it is the platform on which the opera is performed.

 The 2011 Ford Ranger hauls the set all around Minnesota.

This year’s production was “Faust,” a futuristic French Romantic Opera about a quest to save humanity from a planet in crisis. A love story was also, of course, at the heart of the plot.

 Programs were handed out upon entry.

In addition the the scheduled performances, Mixed Precipitation will hold pop-up performances on neighborhood streets, public squares, libraries, and care facilities throughout the season.

 The Mixed Precipitation Ensemble performed the music of Depeche Mode, an English electronic music band. The musicians also sang and acted in the production.

 Maurice Fields led the cast as Faust, the opera's title character.

 A cast member could not attend due to COVID, so they filled in her spot with a Miss Piggy doll.

 Fun song and dance numbers took place throughout the 80-minute performance.

 The audience enjoyed the show from lawn chairs and picnic blankets at Sweetheart's Bluff.

 The creative set designed used a pulley system for "supertitles," which provided the English translation of the French opera.

 Justin Spenner played Méphistophélès, a mysterious extraplanar entity.