For the first time in its 111-year history, Toronto’s Redwood Theatre will be transformed into an opera venue for a concert that will benefit Toronto’s Daily Break Food Bank. La Bohème tells the story of a group of young and impoverished artists in Paris.
Maria Karam of Redwood Theatre talks about the project in a statement. “La Bohème on Tap is an exciting fusion of classic opera and modern, casual vibes. It brings Puccini’s masterpiece into a more accessible, vibrant setting, allowing both opera enthusiasts and newcomers to experience the magic up close.”
The Redwood Theatre, which began its life as a vaudeville theatre in 1914, has been many things in its home in Toronto’s east end, including a cinema and department store, before evolving back into a performance venue and hub. Music, dance, circus, and theatre have taken the stage.
As of September 19, 2025, it can include “opera venue” in its résumé.
The Production
The opera, co-produced by Redwood and Ryan Hofman, will feature an all-Canadian cast in an intimate setting.
Tenor Jeremy Scinocca stars as Rodolfo. An award-winning tenor based in Toronto, Jeremy is a recent graduate of Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Farris Young Artist Program, where he appeared on stage in several roles.
Soprano Holly Chaplin performs the role of Mimi. The Toronto-based coloratura soprano is a graduate of York University, and holds certificates from Saarburg Music Academy and Festival and Schloss Henfenfeld Oper Akadamie. She was the recipient of the 2019 Stuart Hamilton Foundation Emerging Artist Award with Opera in Concert and a recipient of an encouragement award with the 2022 Laffont Met Council Auditions, and recently debuted with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera as Lucia earlier this year.
Baritone Alexander Hajek appears as the painter Marcello. Hajek just completed a marathon run in the innovative Suprema Opera, an original opera he co-wrote as part of Opera Revue, designed to tell a story that involves Dr. Oetker’s new line of pizza.
Soprano Kathryn Rose appears as the jilted Musetta. Kathryn holds a Master of Music in Opera from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Toronto. She’s taken on a wide variety of roles, both traditional and contemporary, including premiering the role of Princess Shirin in The Echoes of Bi-Sotoon, a newly composed series of opera scenes in Farsi produced by the Cultureland Opera Collective.
Baritone Ryan Hofman and Dylan Wright appears as Schaunard and Colline, respectively. Hofman is a two-time Brian Law Competition Finalist, and a first runner-up in the 2017 National Music Festival. With a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and Opera from University of Ottawa; Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance from University of Ottawa; and Master’s degree in Voice and Opera from The University of British Columbia, Ryan also studied Music Business at Humber College, and is the Artistic Consultant and Outreach Officer at Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, New Opera Lyra, and Opera York. He has performed a wide variety of roles on stage in Southern Ontario and beyond.
Dylan Wright holds a MMus in Opera from the University of Toronto, and is a graduate of the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. He’s performed a variety of roles with Opéra de Montréal, Berlin Wagner Gruppe, Opera by Request, and Toronto City Opera, among others.
Canadian Baritone Andrew Tees rounds out the cast of Bohemians as Benoit and Alcindoro. Tees sings opera, oratorio, pops, and music theatre, and has performed with the Canadian Opera Company, Pacific Opera Victoria, Cleveland Opera, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera, Vancouver Opera, Opera Ontario and Opera York.
Brahm Goldhamer acts as Musical Director/Pianist.
Opera On Tap
Does Karam see an event like this being successful more than once a year?
“Absolutely. La Bohème on Tap has the potential to become a cherished annual event, and could even inspire similar productions. Its unique format offers plenty of room for growth and innovation, keeping audiences coming back,” she adds.
Ryan Hofman, Co-producer adds,
“Opera is such a beautiful, but misunderstood art form still in many ways. Having the opportunity to perform such an iconic piece in such a historical venue in an intimate setting in something that
the public needs more of to make the art form accessible. The idea of teaming with a local charity was a non-negotiable for me, especially with the theme of poverty in La Boheme, this was an incredible way to collaborate with the Daily Bread Food Bank. Finding local organizations outside of the arts that fit the theme of an opera, I believe is a great way to not only keep opera relevant but also make it personable and sustainable through further community collaborations outside of the arts.”
- Along with the performance, there will also be a silent auction on site to benefit Daily Bread Food Bread. You can donate to Daily Bread Food Bank [HERE].
- Find tickets and details for the September 19 performance [HERE].
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.
- PREVIEW | Sinfonia Toronto Baroque & Beyond Celebrates the Season With Guest Artists The Ezra Duo - December 4, 2025
- INTERVIEW | Director Peter Phillips Talks About The Tallis Scholars And Their Toronto Concert - December 4, 2025
- PREVIEW | The Royal Conservatory Of Music Launches Orchestrated With Cory Wong - December 3, 2025
