Manitoba Underground Opera is bringing its production of “Rufus & Rita” to Jake Epp Library in Steinbach this fall. The free performance is part of the opera company’s Neighbourhood Opera Tour and offers residents a chance to enjoy professional opera without travelling to Winnipeg.
The show is a 25-minute interactive opera written by American composer Lauren Bernofsky. Young audience members help decide the story’s direction in a choose-your-own-adventure style. Performers include Christopher Dunn as Rufus, Jacqueline Arthur as Rita, Janice Marple, and Stephanie Schmid as a sloth, with Michael Oike on piano.
This is not the first time the opera company has visited the library; in 2024 they performed “Playtime.” The Neighbourhood Opera Tour began in 2017 with two Winnipeg locations and has since expanded across Manitoba and northern Ontario. This September’s tour includes 18 stops, from Kenora, Ont., to Thompson.
All performances are free with no admission fee, thanks to public grants and donations. “We always say no matter where you are, no matter where you live or what you can afford, you deserve access to opera,” said Brendan McKeen, MUO’s executive director.
Jake Epp Library continues to expand its community programming with events like the opera performance, chess club, and creative writing groups. The library received a $59,000 grant increase from the City of Steinbach in 2026 to support this growth.
The performance is listed on the library’s events calendar.
