'Susannah' by Carlisle Floyd - Mission Opera

Описание: SUSANNAH by Carlisle Floyd
(American Opera in English with subtitles)
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From LIVE performance on June 9, 2023
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Mission Opera presented ‘Susannah’ by Carlisle Floyd, an American Musical Drama in English, adapted from the Apocryphal tale of “Susannah and the Elders” and set in 1950s Bible Belt Appalachia on June 9th, 2023 at 7:30 PM, and June 10th, 2023 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM at the Canyon High School Performing Arts Center in Santa Clarita.

Carlisle Floyd’s ‘Susannah’ is one of the most-performed American operas of all time. Composed 50 years ago at the height of the McCarthy era persecutions, it is a flawlessly effective melodrama focused on an innocent woman victimized by a narrow Evangelical community in rural Tennessee. According to the Daily Telegraph, “it speaks straight to the heart through music of uninhibited tonal simplicity and Pucciniesque fervor.”

Meagan Carlson and Jeannine Allen (Sat matinee) starred as Susannah, the beautiful Appalachian girl who innocently incites the lust of her church Elders, leading to her denouncement as a sinner. Mission Opera veterans Gabriel Manro and Phil Meyer (Sat matinee) brought to life the deleterious Reverend Olin Blitch, who cannot overcome his own desire for Susannah, and newcomer Arthur Miller starred as Susannah’s brother, Sam, who seeks revenge on the preacher. Ben Cross made his Mission Opera debut, sharing the role of Little Bat McLean, with veteran performer Dylan F. Thomas of Valley Opera & Performing Arts. Maestro Brian Stone conducted the Mission Orchestra pit with Music Director & Accompanist Lindsay Aldana.

The production was directed by Mission Opera Artistic Director Dr. Joshua Wentz and featured a multimedia design on the 46’ LED screen, creatively combining traditional theater with contemporary video design and virtual settings. “This show is a wonderful treat for anyone who doesn’t know about opera but loves musicals and theater. This hybrid show features folk music, dance, and an experience that one would more likely find on Broadway than in an opera house.”

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CAST
Meagan Carlson (Susannah)
Gabriel Manro (Olin Blitch)
Arthur Miller (Sam)
Benjamin Cross (Little Bat)
Alexis Wesley (Mrs. McLean)
David Ingram (Elder McLean)
Carol Winston (Mrs. Hayes)
Robert Dunlap (Elder Hayes)
Christina Kushnick (Mrs. Gleaton)
Shawn Taylor (Elder Gleaton)
Shannon Alise Moore (Mrs. Ott)
Jason Vincent (Elder Ott)
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CHORUS
Kirstin Ariel (Soprano)
Cathleen Rowland-Senogles (Alto)
Constanze Bonelli (Soprano)
Alexei Helmbock (Bass)
Nelya Coomans (Soprano)
Madison McCurdy (Alto)
John Thompson (Bass)
Ruth Judkowitz (Alto)
Anthony Villanueva (Tenor)
Brad Ito (Bass)
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ORCHESTRA
Brian Stone (Conductor)
Lindsay Aldana (Music Director/Keyboard)
Ashley Rose Longhill (Concertmaster)
Alexander Martin (Violin I)
Lainey White (Violin I)
Cyndi Hall (Violin II)
Ellen Buczko (Violin II)
Judy Garf (Viola)
Lisa Curtis Saunders (Viola)
Christopher Saunders (Cello)
Jared Snyder (Cello)
Scott Messick (Bass)
Phyllis Pemberton (Flute I)
Megan Lee (Flute II)
Gaby Castro (Clarinet I)
Salvador Quinonez (Clarinet II)
Myka Miller (Oboe)
Heather Cano (Bassoon)
Daniel Gallardo (Horn I)
J.R. Hills (Horn II)
Jordyn Brown (Trumpet I)
Jodi Malone (Trumpet II)
Mark Malone (Trombone)
David Early (Percussion, Timpani)
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PRODUCTION
Joshua R. Wentz (Stage Director/Producer)
Caroline Morgan (Stage Manager)
Dylan F. Thomas (Set Designer / Builder)
Shawn Taylor (Construction / Painter)
Hugo Vera (Chorus Master)
Brayden Hade (Media & Video Director)
Constanze Bonelli (Costume Designer)
Katherine Craig (Costume Assistant)
Wesley Jow (Photographer)
Umberto Belfiore (Videographer)
Edward Salm (Graphic Artist)
Brian Nielson (Lighting Designer)
Erica Hardbarger (Box Office Manager)
Don Pittman (Tech Director / Sound Engineer)