Quiet Holiday Drift

The Park City Opera’s newest venture, ‘The Gift of the Magi,’ unfurls under the dimming December chandeliers of Park City Community Church at 4501 Hwy 224. No glittering step‑and‑repeat in this family‑oriented opening; guests arrive with a sober mix of fathers in tailored bathrobes and mothers clutching empty wine glasses. The dress code feels more a courtesy than a mandate: the few opera‑gowns worn by Therodora Cottarel and Shea Owens barely disturb the quiet crowd, who appear more curious than convicted to attend. The event’s modest $25 tickets, set in a convenient price point, echo the opera’s low‑key ambience: a 75‑minute opera with Benjamin Beckman conducting David Conte’s storyline, accompanied by a modest art market selling glass ornaments and ceramics. While Union Patisserie offers nibble‑size refreshments, the event feels like a polite nod to tradition rather than a splash of social prestige. Verdict: Send a check but stay home.