In the world premiere of Long Beach Opera's new adaptation of composer Henry Purcell and librettist John Dryden's ancient 1691 opera, King Arthur, Chicano comedy collective Culture Clash and LBO's outgoing artistic director Andreas Mitisek (who is leaving the company at the end of the 2020 season) have taken extensive liberties with Dryden's story. Dryden's titular king (portrayed by tenor Marc Molomot) has been transformed into a superhero who must battle against a race of alien shape shifters who desire to conquer the galaxy. Although Mitisek and Culture Clash's previous comic adaptation of a Purcell work, The Fairy Queen, was disappointingly fangless in an unremarkable 2016 LBO presentation, this new production with Musica Angelica should prove more compelling with imposing bass-baritone Cedric Berry and incandescent soprano Jamie Chamberlin in starring roles.

Beverly O'Neill Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; Sun., Jan. 12, 2:30 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 19, 2:30 p.m.; $49-$150. (562) 470-7464, longbeachopera.org.