Mozart Reborn: Don Giovanni Ignites as a Rock Opera at The Cutting Room

Cue the eyeliner, distortion pedals, and drama. This summer, Mozart’s bad boy of the opera world storms back into the spotlight—this time clad in leather and backed by a rock orchestra. Don Giovanni: A Rock Opera makes its electrifying New York premiere at The Cutting Room, the iconic Flatiron venue long known for hosting the next wave of musical renegades. Beginning previews June 16 and officially opening June 30, this gothic-glam revival reimagines the 1787 opera through a 21st-century lens—one that’s loud, fast, and thrillingly unfiltered.

Helmed by the audacious Adam B. Levowitz—composer, director, and orchestrator—this new version of Don Giovannitrades powdered wigs for power chords. Sung entirely in English with a razor-sharp libretto and backed by Levowitz’s own full-throttle rock orchestra, the production pulses with a contemporary swagger that makes Mozart feel less like a museum piece and more like a midnight concert.

Don Giovanni: A Rock Opera poster.

“The power of Don Giovanni has always been the story,” says Levowitz. “What I changed is how they speak, how they reveal themselves—so that their voices feel undeniably of this moment.”

And indeed, the moment is having a very operatic one. While the traditional Don Giovanni returns to The Met this fall, this version is the punk rock cousin your parents warned you about. It’s sweaty, sexy, and loud in all the right ways—where velvet seats are swapped for dinner tables and Prosecco is sipped alongside searing guitar solos.

The cast is as bold as the concept: Ryan Silverman (Chicago, Side Show) stars as the dangerous and charming Giovanni, with Broadway and opera alums like Rachel Zatcoff (Phantom of the Opera), Alyssa Giannetti (Love Never Dies), and Edwin Jhamaal Davis (The Magic Flute) rounding out a powerhouse ensemble. Costumes by Debbi Hobson offer a visual feast of rock-meets-Renaissance styling—think corsets with studs and opera coats with edge.

The cast posing for photographer Ken Howard. 

But this isn’t just spectacle—it’s a cultural resurrection. Levowitz’s reimagining is a subversive love letter to both opera and rock, bringing new audiences into a space once reserved for purists. It's less about following rules and more about breaking them beautifully.

With performances running through August 26, Mozart’s Don Giovanni: A Rock Opera isn’t just a show—it’s a rebellion. One that invites you to order a drink, lean into the chaos, and fall hard for the devil with a guitar pick.

Because opera, has never looked this good.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.dgrocks.com