Does The Simpsons have a few things to tell us? Anne Washburn, looking into an apocalyptic future, thinks so.

What exactly can’t this quartet tell the unseen title character? Even with a game cast, it’s hardly worth asking.

Call Chicago Opera Theater’s La Hija de Rappaccini making the best of a last-minute change of program; call it community outreach in the midst of a pandemic; call it testing the waters for future site-specific productions. At least call it what it is: a dang good showing.

You can’t really call this Zoom-ified go-around of Strawdog’s seasonal staple “good” or “bad” either. It’s simply making the best of things, which only seems appropriate for a Hanukkah story.

Multiple listenings (cast recording, Paramount?) will be required to capture all of the Mahler/Schmuckler genius. Songs like the opening "32 Hour Bus Ride," "Pull It Off," "Hidden Value" and the tender "Tie Your Shoes" are but one person's favorites; each patron will certainly find his/her/their own.

This seldom-performed Tchaikovsky opera turns up the strongest overall principal cast in a Lyric production this season.