BJ Ward Special

The following appeared in the Daily News of Los Angeles. The citation is Jacobson, Romy (1998-03-06). "Cartoon Queen Has One-Woman Opera". Daily News of Los Angeles.

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CARTOON QUEEN HAS ONE-WOMAN OPERA

You might not know her by name, but you've probably heard her voice.

She talks for Hanna Barbera's Wonder Woman, Iris the computer in the ``New Jonny Quest cartoon series, and, for the past 10 years, Betty Rubble in ``The Flintstones.

Her name is B.J. Ward.

Ward will be putting her cartoon voices on the shelf, at least for one night, and will perform her one-woman stand-up opera show at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Palmdale Playhouse, 38334 10th St. E.

``It's a comedy show about opera. I sing the arias for real, I don't make fun of the music, said Ward, who possesses a four-octave vocal range. ``I don't think there's a show like it.

Tickets are $12 for adults under 65, $10 for senior citizens, students and military, and $8 for children under 12.

For more information, call the box office at (805) 267-5685. For 24-hour recorded information, call (805) 267-ARTS.

``Opera 'n' Omelettes, as the show originally was titled, began seven years ago in Ward's living room.

``I used to just do it at my house for my friends and my husband would make omelettes, Ward said.

In the past five years, the show moved from cabaret spaces to theaters, and eventually to opera houses and philharmonic centers.

``It's been quite an education for me, Ward said. ``The singing is very challenging.

Ward practices several hours each day to keep her voice in shape.

``All of the other kind of singing I've ever had to do was so easy compared to opera, Ward said.

Ward hopes that people who don't know anything about opera will have a few laughs while enjoying the music. She believes that people who do have a knowledge of opera will also enjoy the show.

``There's a whole world of beautiful music out there, Ward said. ``It's the ultimate musical theater, I think. Hopefully my enthusiasm and passion for what I'm doing will inspire other people to do what they want to do.

Caption:

Photo

Caption:

PHOTO: (Color) Famous voice B.J. Ward is bringing her one-woman comedy opera show to the Palmdale Playhouse on Saturday.

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