While brainstorming the look for the fire-themed Opening Night gala, we knew we had to reference fire without getting too literal. We hit upon the idea of using the by-product of fire to create the event title and although we couldn’t get an invitation made out of smoke to work, what came out of that idea was, we think, even better.

With a direction in mind, I took the implements of destruction (a borrowed pink Bic lighter, a pad of white plain paper and a hose in case of emergency) and headed outside so as to not burn down our lovely new office.

Things that were learned during this experiment:

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• While you think alcohol would be flammable, it turns out that painting with 8 year old rubbing alcohol and trying to light it on fire only leads to a wet, blotchy piece of paper.

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• Despite our name, nobody at Studio Fuse carries a lighter. Our friendly neighborhood spa, Cote d’Azur, on the other hand, needs something to light all those aromatherapy candles and were happy to help us set things on fire.

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• Blowing gently helps the embers singe the paper better. Blowing a little harder makes for a full on conflagration.

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• Having access to an outdoor water source is good. Wearing close-toed shoes is better.

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The results turned into an excellent starting point for an idea that we’re really proud of. The final version is still smoldering on our server, but we’ll be sure to update once the final invitation is hot off the presses. @jes_fuse

Note: Forgive us for the puns… but sometimes you’re just on fire.

If you, like me, are at a place in life where you would prefer to experience the bohemian lifestyle from a comfortable seat in a temperature-controlled room, you may want to check out the return of LA Opera’s La Bohème to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. It’s a revival of the celebrated 1993 Herbert Ross production.

The intriguing difference this time, is that the two leads, Ailyn Pérez and Stephen Costello, are actually married, and therefore possibly really in love. Though I haven’t seen them perform, I have to wonder if their real-world chemistry might provide a sense of authenticity I’ve often found lacking in other operatic expressions of romance.

For those unfamiliar, La Bohème is the original Rent. Just swap New York for Paris, and AIDS for tuberculosis (yes, there’s more to it than that, but this isn’t one of those articles). More specifically, the story follows six young Parisians in the 1830s, who are financially destitute, but spiritually rich. It’s Christmas time as the young poet, Rodolfo, falls in love with a shy seamstress, Mimi. Providing contrast and context to their central love story is the on-again, off-again love affair of the painter Marcello and the cabaret singer Musetta. Against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Paris, including an unfinished Eiffel tower, the young artists experience passion, poverty, joy, suffering and ultimately (spoiler alert), death.

While I have not seen La Bohème, I’ve been to a few LA Opera productions in the past. They have always delivered gorgeous sets and costumes, and a grandiose sound that you cannot get from film or your corner NoHo theater (sorry, real bohemians).

Tickets are going fast, so don’t wait to get seats. If you’ve never been to an opera, this is meant to be one of the more accessible, so check it out. It’s the last production of LA Opera’s season. @scottfuse

Photo by Robert Millard for LA Opera.

The young artists celebrate not living in North Hollywood. From left: Robert Pomakov, Stephen Costello, Museop Kim, Artur Rucinski. Photo by Robert Millard for LA Opera.

The young artists celebrate not living in North Hollywood. From left: Robert Pomakov, Stephen Costello, Museop Kim, Artur Rucinski. Photo by Robert Millard for LA Opera.

Spouses Stephen Costello and Ailyn Pérez as Rodolfo and Mimi. Photo by Robert Millard for LA Opera.

Real-life couple Stephen Costello and Ailyn Pérez fictionally embrace as lovers Rodolfo and Mimi. Photo by Robert Millard for LA Opera.