Ransom at the Opera

For the inaugural performance at the newly opened Sheridan Center for the Performing Arts in Chicago, the organizers have brought in a much-discussed new staging of Carmen. Even though it has been sold out for weeks, Emily Charters and a friend have secured tickets for the opening night performance. Despite widespread rumors of back-stage troubles, the performance goes off without a hitch - up until the climatic scene when the actor playing Don Jose dies onstage.