Nights at the Round Table

Ash Lawn Opera is opening its production of “Camelot” tonight in a more congenial spot — the Paramount Theater.

After presenting operas and classic musicals outdoors in the stately boxwood gardens of President James Monroe’s Ash Lawn-Highland estate for three decades, the opera company is launching its 31st season indoors on the stage at the heart of the Downtown Mall.

And although longtime fans may miss the sunsets and the shrieking peacocks, they’re bound to recognize the benefits of air conditioning and more complex sets and lighting.

Any big change involves some sort of tradeoff, of course, but the creative team working on “Camelot” believes that audience members who give it a try may find just the spot for happily-ever-aftering that King Arthur strove to create.

“That’s what’s kind of exciting now that we’re in the theater,” said Patrick Hansen, the stage director for “Camelot.”

“We spent the last two days in the theater writing lighting cues.”

There are more than 100 lighting cues in Ash Lawn Opera’s production of the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe musical. Hansen said having the equipment at their fingertips gives the designers more options for evoking the magic of Merlin’s world.

“There’s also the wonderful theme of magic in this show, so we’re trying very hard to create magic. [The lighting] helps create an atmosphere, an environment.”

“Camelot” is Hansen’s ninth show for Ash Lawn Opera — he conducted for seven productions, and this is his second stint here as a stage director — so he’s familiar with the old-school magic spell that performing at Ash Lawn-Highland can cast.

“I’ve been there on those lovely nights when the moon’s shining and you think, ‘How lovely is that?’ ’’ he said.

Then again, he thinks many audience members will welcome the fact that they won’t be driving home on unfamiliar rural roads in the dark with deer in the vicinity. The Downtown Mall holds its own charms — different, sure, but also appealing.

“It is a tradeoff,” Hansen said. “Instead of picnicking on the lawn, you can eat outside at some of the restaurants.”

The biggest difference that listeners will pick up on is one that performing indoors makes in the technical quality of the performances, the director said. Fresher performers can

bring more nuanced acting and singing to the endeavor.

The kingdom of Camelot may have had a law declaring that “July and August cannot be too hot,” as the title song states, but Central Virginia obviously didn’t get the memo.

“It gives us an environment to rehearse in where our singers aren’t getting sunburned or heat strokes or dehydrated,” Hansen said.

“There are very few people who actually sing opera and musical theater outdoors. We’ve always had to adjust.

“It’s just so wonderfully convenient here. The word ‘thrilled’ doesn’t work to show, to express, how thrilled we are.”

Hansen also noted that the glittering interior of the Paramount will be an especially complementary environment for “The Marriage of Figaro,” which will open July 17.

“This is an important moment for the company,” Hansen said.

“I’m actually quite honored to be doing the first show for the company at the Paramount.”

Plan to arrive by 7:15 this evening if you’d like to hear the lecture by Harriet Resio, which will offer background and perspective on the show.

The Paramount also is the location for recitals by Ash Lawn’s apprentices.

Catch stars on the rise at noon Tuesday and again July 14, July 28 and Aug. 4 at the Parmaount, and someday you’ll be able to say you heard them for free.

“Ash Lawn nurtures young singers. Ash Lawn is a company that’s known nationwide for doing that, and that’s not going to change,” Hansen said.

Of course, there still are plenty of festival opportunities at Ash Lawn-Highland itself.

The Music at Twilight concert series, which kicks off at 8 p.m. July 17 with the popular “Mostly Mozart” program, will be at Monroe’s home, as will the Summer Saturdays series of performances for children and families. DinoRock’s “Dinosaurs Forever” will launch the Summer Saturdays season at 11 a.m. July 25.

Learn more at http://www.ashlawnopera.org.

details

“Camelot”

Ash Lawn Opera

8 tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday; runs through Aug. 9

Lecture by Harriet Resio at 7:15 tonight

Paramount Theater

$35, $30 and $15

http://www.ashlawnopera.org

http://www.theparamount.net

979-1333