Science fiction operas are not the easiest thing to come by, but the 58th Annual World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago has found New York's Vital Theatre Company's Faith and seized on it. Chicon, as the international gathering of sci-fi fans and creators is called, presents Michael Ching's one-act opera at 3PM Sept. 3 in the Fairmont's International Ballroom.

Based on a short science fiction story by James Patrick Kelly ("Think Like a Dinosaur"), Faith is a romantic comedy about a divorced woman who finds love again with a man who can talk to plants. Ching, the artistic director of Opera Memphis, will see the world premiere of his opera, Buoso's Ghost at Chicago's Opera Theatre in March, 2000.

Scott C. Embler directs. Embler helmed the New York premiere of Faith with the Vital Theatre as well as its companion piece, the one-act Caliban.

Faith's cast includes Rufus Read ("Happiness") as Flip, Elizabeth Wiley as Faith, Judith Skinner as Betty and Christopher Haney as Gardiner.

For more information about Faith, visit Chicon on the web at http://www.chicon.org. Chicon will host the 2000 Hugo Awards for science fiction writing, alongside many a writer seminar, autograph signing, filk singing demonstration and fan get together. -- By Christine Ehren