Peter Dinklage as Tirion Lannister

San Diego Opera has a casting problem. They need an actor to be featured in the upcoming production of The Elixir of Love. Why the problem? I mean, the role is paid, it’s a non-singing role and it’s at the Civic Theater.

Oh, here’s the catch. The actor needs to be a little person and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister in HBO's Game of Thrones) is otherwise engaged.

Extreme Midget Wrestling

My best guess is that there aren’t that many little person actors in San Diego County. However, stage experience isn’t required but it is preferred.

What is the role? The role is the assistant to Dulcamara, a traveling “doctor” who sells...wait for it...elixirs. Dulcamara calls himself Dr. Encyclopedia and his relationship with his assistant is great on stage. By the way, Elixir is a comedy.

Hold on. Isn’t there Extreme Midget Wrestling from time to time in Ramona? Those guys have stage experience. Those guys can take direction. They’re already actors, yes, and athletes.

That would be perfect. We need to have more extreme wrestling in opera anyway so why not get a head start with Elixir?

Who doesn’t want to see the tenor get body slammed from time to time? Maybe a little hair pulling with the soprano?

This is a rich and unexplored vein for both wrestling and opera.