As downtown Los Angeles prepared for another night under curfew, a crowd of opera and theater enthusiasts gathered at the Music Center for matinee performances of L.A. Opera’s “Rigoletto” and Center Theatre Group’s “Hamlet.” The shows occurred just a day after thousands protested against immigration raids in the city.
The Center Theatre Group had previously canceled a Wednesday night performance of “Hamlet” due to the protests, but a curfew exemption for ticket holders was announced on Thursday. While Saturday’s performances were canceled, L.A. Opera’s event featuring Renee Fleming went on as scheduled.
On Sunday, attendees reported a relaxed atmosphere, with only a few police cars visible and no protests in sight. Many felt comfortable attending the performances despite the recent unrest.
Gabe Acero from South Pasadena and Sam Pancake from Jefferson Park shared their reasons for attending. Pancake, who had never seen “Rigoletto” live, mentioned he was there to celebrate his nephew’s 21st birthday, despite the young man feeling uneasy about coming downtown due to the curfew. Acero noted that he had reassured his father, a security guard, that the Music Center was open for ticketed events.
Pancake, who had participated in the “No Kings” rally the day before, appreciated the communication from the L.A. Opera regarding safety measures. Acero emphasized the importance of supporting the arts, especially as they recover from the pandemic and other recent challenges.
Muriel Asch and Arlene Block, both from Laguna Woods, also attended the opera. Asch expressed her love for the art form and mentioned that a bus had been organized from their community for the event. Block felt safe coming downtown, believing the area would not be heavily affected by protests.
David Johnson from Palos Verdes, a social justice pastor, shared his thoughts after preaching a sermon. He emphasized the importance of engaging with the arts and encouraged more people of color to attend opera performances. Johnson felt no threat attending the show, as he understood the nature of the protests.
Kathleen Hougesen and Jan Kelley, regular patrons of the L.A. Opera, felt reassured by the updates from the venue about safety and traffic conditions. Kelley highlighted the uplifting nature of the arts, while Hougesen mentioned her longstanding support for the opera and other cultural events.
Jason Roblee and Steven Lass, visiting from Lake Gregory, commented on their comfort level despite seeing reports of unrest. They noted that their experiences in L.A. have shown them that the city is not inherently dangerous.
Kareem and Amy Zoque from Chino Hills came to the opera after enjoying a performance last year. They felt curious but not nervous about the downtown area, with Kareem noting the importance of continuing to live life without fear.
Overall, the performances at the Music Center provided a welcome escape for attendees, who valued the arts as a source of joy and community connection amidst a backdrop of social unrest.