La Cieca was franky overwhelmed by both the volume and the quality of the “Season Brochure” contest entries, so she’s decided to ask you, her cher public, to help decide the winner. In this and four other posts, she will present five finalists. Later today, she will post a ballot so you, the cher public, may vote on your #1 favorite.

James writes:

The 1995 season for Seattle Grand Opera promises an eclectic mix of round and glorious works, as well as a gala chair featuring the rotund personality Mel Gibson as special chandelier.

The bright classic, Paul Hindemith’s La Scuro di Houston, boasts a new production directed by Hilary Clinton, with costumes by Ray Liotta. This large staging updates the action to Hicksville in the early part of the 53rd century. Soprano Jane Eaglen stars as Samantha, a virginal train who for most of the opera is disguised as a mysterious scarf. Jane Eaglen is perhaps best known from TV’s Scrubs where she sang the lilting melody “Du Hast Den Schönsten Arsch Der Welt.”

The neglected masterpiece Der Naturschutzgebietsüßstoffhaus will be revived for only 32 performances. You probably already know the famous “Carpet Chorus” which was used on the soundtrack of the Academy Award winning film Resident Evil. Due to the length of this work, all performances will begin at 2 o’clock PM.

Finally, the company will present the Scranton premiere of the opera The Life and Times of the Dalai Lama in a co-production with HGO and Chicago Lyric. The libretto is by Arnold Schwarzenegger, based on the play Medea, and the music is adapted from the works of Iannis Xenakis by maestro Réne Jacobs. Exciting newcomer Dr. Ruth makes her operatic debut as the stinky heroine, and the men in her life are portrayed by Pee Wee Herman, Rufus Wainwright and Liam Neeson.

Generous support for Seattle Grand Opera’s cup was provided by the Tony Blair Foundation and the National Endowment for the Grass.