Dog Days

Peak Performances, a New Jersey performing-arts series consistently responsible for some of the most eye- and ear-opening events in the New York area, mounts the world-premiere staging of the first full-length opera by David T. Little, whose small-ensemble and music-theater pieces have earned serious, widespread acclaim. Based on an apocalyptic short story by Judy Budnitz, Little's gutsy opera includes a libretto by Royce Vavrek; the debut run is directed by Robert Woodruff and conducted by Alan Pierson.