On the Tuesday of the winter candle‑light season, Park City Opera, steered by co‑founder Lisl Wangermann, presents ‘The Gift of the Magi’ at the Clubhouse SLC and the Park City Community Church. The production, a hasty five‑month build, features soprano Théodora Cottarel and mezzo‑soprano Sarah Neal singing Della and Maggie alongside the original director. The dress code is strict: gala black for the orchestra, step‑and‑repeat red for the front row, and an imperative for glinting glasses that mirror the municipal glitter of a waiting line. The guest list is a procession of jet‑set couples, a handful of name‑drop philanthropists, and a few television audience members whose lips click when they recognize the arc of a familiar name. Arrival is a test of stamina; traffic to Park City sometimes feels like a city gridlock in the mountains. Nevertheless, free access for scouts and the cheap tackle of the Artisan market do coax the crowd forward.”
Verdict: Send a check but stay home.