Phantom of the Opera is a marvelous performance that will send your feelings through an array of emotions from sadness, happiness, to fright. When planning on attending a performance of the Phantom of the Opera make sure you bring your opera glasses.

Our Story begins in the nineteenth century, and the curtains open to reveal that two business men have purchased an old theater house which is haunted by a spirit. This spirit is that of a genius construction worker who helped build the opera house by the name of Erik. The reality of the matter is that Erik is not in fact a phantom but was one who was disfigured from birth. To cover the disfigurement of his face the Phantom of the Opera wears the mask that we all know so well today.

As time goes on the Phantom come to one of the performers; Christine, and tells her that her father who has passed away, has sent him from heaven to give her voice lessons. The Phantom begins to train her through the walls of her dressing room, as these take place over the course of time Christine becomes a remarkable singer, and takes the leading role in the opera.

As Christine is performing one night on stage, Christine faints, and a man in the audience comes to save her. This man Raoul, we find out is a childhood friend of Christine, and begins to fall in love with her. Raoul begins to attend her performances, gifting her with flowers, and visiting with her often.

As Christine and Raoul start to fall even more in love, the Phantom; Erik watches and hears all that is happening, finally he decides to meet with Christine face to face. When he shows his face in her dressing room for the first time, he wears the mask that has made this play famous. He then abducts Christine, and takes her through winding tunnels down to his home in the secret catacombs of the opera house.

Our heroine becomes angry and scared as she finds that Erik will not let her leave his world. After some argument Erik promises that he will release her after five days. He then gives Christine a tour of his lair, which is bizarre and twisted. Make sure you have your opera glasses at this point to make sure you don’t miss a think

Christine cannot wait to see just who Erik is and why the mask is on his face. She grabs his mask and quickly takes it off during a remarkable duet. Grab your theatre glasses so you may get a glimpse of Erik’s face. The lights may be too dimmed but it is worth a try! More chills will be sent down your spine with the screaming from the horrible site revealed. This deception angers Erik who now thinks he will not let Christine leave his spooky home. Erik so wants Christine to love him and you can feel his passion.

As the storyline carries on you will continue to be mesmerized by the music and wonderful performance that is given. But to see how The Phantom of the Opera ends, you will have to see it for yourself. This is one performance that you will want to see again and again. The wonderful storyline of the Phantom of the Opera with opera glasses is highly recommended.

Jeff Bridges has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell opera glasses. Including Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!

Opera Glasses are similar to binoculars but they are made for being able to see performances on stage. In old opera houses seats placed in balconies that were subsequently cheaper were very far away from the stage. In some they were so far away on the figures could be seen from that distance but seeing facial features, and thus part of the acting, was impossible to make out. Opera glasses would enable those people in the peanut gallery to see on stage much better to the point of seeing the facial expressions of the actors or singers. They have been popular since the 50′s.

Opera glasses are different from binoculars as they are made to be smaller and some where made not so much to look utilitarian but to look stylish. Some pop up from a flat looking case and are easily carried in women’s clutch bags or in suit coat pockets. Others fold so that they can easily be carried around without notice. There are some that mimic those of the past with a single rod attached called a lorgnette, so the glasses can be held to the eyes with only one hand. This folds up as well.

You can purchase opera glasses easily these days. You can get an inexpensive model for about $50 to $100 US dollars but there are those with better optics are much more expensive. Expensive models will be more stylish as well. Antique opera glasses are often much more expensive merely because they are antique and most often much more ornate. Try them out to make sure they give you the magnification you need and are still in operating order.

Some theaters give you the opportunity to rent opera glasses for a small fee. If you are an opera or theater enthusiast that attends regularly you may want to have a pair of your own, but if you one go once in awhile renting them is a good option. If you want to buy your own it is a good idea to try out the rented ones to see what you prefer. You may like the ones you hold one handed with the rod or you might like the ones you use like binoculars. You might find out you don’t even want to use them.

Opera glasses differ from binoculars in their optical system. Binoculars have a complicated system while opera glasses are simple based on the Galilean optical system invented by Galileo. The image seen is not nearly as sharp as with binoculars but you will still be able to see everything up on stage.

China is the major producer of opera glasses today. They usually have a 3 X magnification that is good for a concert hall or big auditorium. Some go up to 5 X but they tend to cost more. Some come equipped with a center focus and others don’t focus at all. The ones that do not focus usually have a small LED light that is placed between the barrels for the eyes. It helps you to read the program in dim lights without bothering the person in the seat next to you. People with good vision have no problem with these but if you do wear glasses or contacts you might want to look into the focusing type. There is a mechanism for the focus in the focusing opera glasses that takes the place of the light. You can use them with corrective lenses or without.

Opera Glasses usually are accompanied by a case and especially look for this in the vintage ones. Some are soft sided and others hare hard and can be lined with velvet. Some antique glasses are made of ivory or enamel with cloisonne and they may be bejewelled or framed in gold or silver. Old ones were very beautiful and elegant. Either vintage or modern glasses make a great gift for those who love the ballet, opera or theater.

Jeff B. has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell opera glasses. Including Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!

Hairspray, is a musical set in Maryland 1962. Our story revolves around Tracy, an overweight high schooler, Tracy would love to become famous, and is prepared to do something about it. This musical is fast-paced, and colorful, to make sure that you don’t miss a beat, remember to bring along your opera glasses.

Tracy hears on the television that The Corny Collins Show is having a dance contest and she excitedly wants to enter the contest. Her overweight mother frowns at the idea. (You may have heard actor John Travolta played this part in the movie Hairspray.) Tracy’s mother is just trying to protect her dear daughter out of love as she does not want people to make her daughter a joke for being overweight. Plus, her mother thinks the show plays racist music.

Tracy does make it to the audition with permission from her father, Wilbur. While she is auditioning she meets the popular hunk Link Larkin. Get ready to put on your opera glasses as you will want to catch Tracy’s eyes light up just as yours may have back in high school. Tracy daydreams that she and Link Larkin will end up together one day. She sings absolutely beautiful songs about her love sick dream. Tracy is awakened from her sweet dream as she does not make the cut to be on the show due to her weight, just as her mother suspected would happen.

Poor Tracy then returns back to school. Her troubles do not end at school. Tracy is then given a detention once again due to her hair being so big that kids sitting behind her cannot even see the chalk board! Hence, you can tell a reason why the musical is given the name Hairspray.

As Tracy sits in detention, she meets a black boy named Seaweed who offers to teach her some dance moves, Tracy picks him up on the offer and is taught some amazing moves. Tracy also finds out that there is a dance scheduled, which she attends with Seaweed. While attending, Tracy shows off some of the amazing moves that she has learned, but it is not just those from her school who are watching, but the owner of the T.V. show that is featuring the big dance contest, the owner happens to catch Tracy’s moves and is impressed, he then invites her to be on the show. Remember to use your opera glasses at this point to see Tracy’s face as her dreams come true.

Tracy gets more good news, Link Larkin is to sing a romantic song to her. Another character, Amber, who is the snobby pretty girl is quite upset. At school Amber does some mean things to Tracy which includes whacking her head with a volleyball and knocking Tracy out.

More things ensue. Tracy and others are invited to Seaweed’s mother’s record shop. A party is planned for all to attend. The group goes to Seaweed’s mother’s record shop as blacks cannot go to The Corny Collins Show since blacks are only allowed on the show once a month on a specific day; that day being Negro Day. Tracy gets into fighting for blacks rights. For these intense acts you will want to wear your opera glasses.

Hairspray is a delight to attend, and a bigger delight to hear, it is no wonder it made such a run on Broadway, Remember to bring your opera glasses to catch every last expression, and the wonderful costumes. This is truly a performance to cherish.

Jeff Bridges has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell opera glasses. Including Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!

Being a food snob in Colorado Springs is not easy. There’s no denying that the city suffers from a dearth of reasonably-priced and delicious fare. That’s why I suggest making the picturesque twenty minute drive south of town to Juniper Valley Ranch in Penrose.

The one of a kind restaurant sits right on Highway 115, and your only hope of not driving right past is a large sign announcing that you are 250 feet away. Pull into the gravel parking lot and look for the beautiful horses that pasture just past the lot, as this is a real working ranch.

The entrance to the mud hut dining room is guarded by juniper bushes and lots of patrons waiting outside on the porch. This place is popular so make sure you have reservations. The casual and old-timey dining room is, well, different. It reminds you of your grandma’s farmhouse, if you were lucky enough to have a grandma with a farmhouse. There are lots of nick-knacks, old rickety furniture and a wood-burning fireplace.

The service is always quick and courteous. The server will ask for your order early, as there are only a couple of things to decide, namely, whether you would like curry consomm or cherry cider and whether you would like chicken or ham. Go with a large party and just order equal amounts of both. The food is all you can eat so it doesn’t really matter, other than the fact that the chicken is $17.50 and the ham is $18.50.

First they serve your the consomm or the cider. The consomm is a light curried broth that comes with Cheez-its, I swear. The complex flavor of the broth is hard to describe because it is so unique. All you need to know is that it is delicious and satisfying. The cherry cider is also wonderful, with the perfect amount of sweetness. You can’t go wrong with either choice.

Next comes the cole slaw, which is absolutely fantastic. The pieces of cabbage are cut small and the sweet vinegary dressing is balanced and just darn good.

The main meal comes next. The chicken is a pan-fried; juicy, tender, and flavorful. Go for the dark meat, as it retains the moistness best. The ham is a country-baked in a sweet gravy. Similar to HoneyBaked but drenched in the syrupy gravy so more moist with a better texture. Sides include riced potatoes, a cream gravy and okra casserole. Spicy, bright and fresh, this casserole is the unsung star of the meal, combining tomatoes, rice and okra for a balance of huge flavors.

And then there’s the biscuits and apple butter. The biscuits’ texture is browned on the outside and airy in the middle, perfect for taking on the flavor of whatever you are sopping off your plate or the incomparable apple butter. The apple butter is unlike any you have had before, and better than you have ever had before, with a style more like a preserve. The desserts are fantastic as well. Every night they feature a different one, like bread pudding, cobblers, etc. These are consistently amazing. They also serve an excellent, house-made butterscotch sauce over ice cream. Skip the chocolate sundae and the peppermint ice cream.

Beer and wine are available, and go ahead and bring the kids. If young enough, they eat off your plate for free, and the staff accommodates well-behaved children enthusiastically. They will certainly enjoy seeing the horses, as they graze just off the parking lot.

You’ll leave full and happy, without too much damage to your wallet. And you’ll think the Colorado Springs dining scene is not too shabby.

Mr. Laybourne is an Atttorney in Colorado Springs practicing in , misdemeanor, and traffic defense. He is a self-admitted food snob, and enjoys eating out at Southern Colorado restaurants as much as possible.