And there is one unexpected transgression that will carry Ms. Germanotta into middle age: she can sing and play piano like a pro.

NEWYORKER: Show Runners

And no two walls are parallel to each other in the living area: The angles prevent sound from bouncing back and forth, so when they sing, or when Ms. Clayton plays her Yamaha C5 piano, the music fills the room.

WSJ: A Diva's Desert Hideaway

"The piano is kind of the hardware for the software of our programming that goes on year round, " said Zamora, who founded Sing for Hope in 2006 with fellow opera singer Monica Yunus, launching the first piano festival in partnership with British artist Luke Jerram in 2010 when 60 pianos were featured.

WSJ: Summertime outdoor pianos returning to NYC

Prior to the first play, the audience is invited to sing along with engaging turn-of-the-century songs played on an upright piano by Carol Schultz.

WSJ: Review: 2 J.M. Barrie comedies smart, breezy