Meanwhile, in other entertainment genres.
Because we haven't had any opera around here in a while, let me mention that I saw this production of The Barber of Seville a short while ago. Cecelia Bartoli is, of course, Cecelia Bartoli, and Robert Lloyd's take on Don Basilio is not to be lightly dismissed. The production was not ridiculous, in terms of sets or costumes (always a risk with opera); apparently the people doing this one figured that if there's an opera that will drag in people who have no patience with excessively imaginative stuff and nonsense, this is it. If you want a well-sung, well-staged version of The Barber of Seville that will not disconcert viewers, this is a safe bet, and would be a good one for introducing someone to opera.