Featured image: George Cederquist, creator of Op*erratic and producing artistic director of Chicago Fringe Opera. Promotional photo via Chicago Fringe Opera.
An audience suggestion becomes the starting point for an opera at Borelli’s Pizzeria. Chicago Fringe Opera returns to the Lincoln Square venue this fall with Op*erratic: Season 2.5, a series in which singers build a Mozartian story in real time.
The remaining 2026 performances are Wednesdays, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16, all at 7:30 p.m. The company’s September announcement places the series alongside its other work this season, with an audience-generated premise at the center of each show.
According to the company, the plot and music are unscripted. The evening begins with short-form improv games before moving into a fully improvised, approximately 30-minute opera. That structure gives the cast a different story to work with each night: the audience supplies the initial idea and the performers develop it through operatic singing and improvisation.
The project was created by Chicago Fringe Opera’s producing artistic director, George Cederquist. Brian Rasmussen serves as music director and pianist, with Rachel Girty and Alex Salas as associate directors. Girty developed the title, and Molly Clementz designed the logo.
The current production page lists the complete evening at 75 minutes and describes its material as PG-13, intended for audiences in high school and above. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A food menu is available, and the venue is BYOB.
Op*erratic takes place at Borelli’s Pizzeria, 2124 W. Lawrence Ave. Chicago Fringe Opera lists the venue as fully accessible. Transit options include the Damen Brown Line station and the No. 50 Damen and No. 81 Lawrence buses.
The suggested donation is $15 at the door, payable by cash or card. See the company’s production page for the current schedule, cast and attendance details.
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