I started to type “it was only a matter of time…” before pasting this excerpt from the press release for “Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera,” but then I caught myself. This show was not a historical inevitability. The world doesn’t need “When You Wake Up Sleeping In Your Car In Estacada.” As a native Oregonian, I’ve had more than enough Tonya Harding for one lifetime, and am not particularly interested in what I imagine will be an awkward juxtaposition of camp and white trash jokes. I find the whole idea way too irritating to even begin to cover it objectively. Fortunately for our arts coverage, I do have one colleague who is not predisposed to hate the show—in fact, he’s downright enthusiastic about it. Look for Matt Davis’ review in next week’s paper.

In what can only be described as a major feat, Triangle Productions (or more specifically, its Artistic Director Don Horn ) has confirmed that none other than the reclusive Ice Queen herself, Tonya Harding , will be part of the opening night audience for Tonya/Nancy: The Rock Opera .

The show, which opens Feb. 21, is a collaboration between director Horn with Elizabeth Searle, who wrote a libretto of a chamber opera of the same name (that had a two-night run in Mass. in 2006). According to Horn who is in regular contact with the icey icon, Tonya is very excited about the project and is really looking forward to seeing the show. Horn said that Harding told him: “I heard about the show back east and didn’t care. I trust you’ll bring the truth to the stage.” Considering that it not only delves into the “knee” incident, but Tonya and her former hubby’s Jeff Gillooly’s sex tape, this is one opening night not to be missed. box office: 503-239-5919

Tonight’s the big night. Tickets and show info here, and you can also listen to songs from the show (though I can’t in good conscience recommend it).