It’s been a year in the works, but when tickets for “Pagliacci Palooza” went on sale, the two performances slated for Friday and Sunday sold out in a flash. Fortunately, there are still tickets available for today’s dress rehearsal at 7 p.m. at Vashon Center for the Arts’ Katherine L White Hall.

The show will combine the considerable vocal power of both Vashon Opera and Vashon Island Chorale.

The first half, christened with the made-up moniker “Palooza,” will feature some of opera’s greatest hits — Italian arias, ensembles and choruses. The selections, arranged by conductor James Brown, were chosen over a year ago by Brown, Vashon Opera Artistic Director Jennifer Krikawa, chorale conductor Gary Cannon and chorale president Jo Ann Bardeen.

After an intermission, during which an acrobatic troupe will perform in the lobby, the fully-staged opera “I Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo will begin.

“I Pagliacci” tells the tale of a travelling troupe of actors falling apart at the seams due to passion, jealousy and rage. During the prologue, one of the performers reminds the audience that the commedia dell’arte actors share the same joys and sorrows as real people. Fast-forward to the culminating scene of the opera as the troupe presents its show to the townsfolk.

The jealous Canio, who plays Pagliaccio, presses Nedda, playing Columbine, for the name of her secret lover. The townsfolk enjoy the convincing performance. But, the question lingers: Is this the show, or is this real?

Talent new to Vashon Opera who will sing in the “I Pagliacci” includes Limmie Pulliam, José Rubio, Christina Kowalsk and Julia Benzinge. They will join island favorites and Vashon Opera co-founders Andrew and Jennifer Krikawa, Anthony Webb, Brendan Tuohy and Karen Early Evans. Members of the chorale will sing as the chorus within the opera.

Tickets are $15 and are on sale at Vashon Bookshop and vashonopera.com.