Friday, July 24, 2009
Stephen Schwartz's Séance on a Wet Afternoon to Premiere
I’ve been following the development of Stephen Schwartz’s intriguing new opera, Séance on a Wet Afternoon, which will soon have its world premiere at Opera Santa Barbara.
Debuting at The Granada, September 26-October 4, the opera is a psychological thriller about a medium, Myra Foster, her doting husband Bill, and the spirit of their deceased eleven-year-old son, Arthur, who speaks to Myra and is her contact for her séances. Because Myra has never received the recognition she feels her gifts merit, they hatch a Plan: They will kidnap the daughter of a local wealthy industrialist, and keep her safe while the media frenzy over her abduction builds. When Myra has a "vision" that leads to the successful recovery of the girl and the ransom, her fame will be assured.
As The Plan is put into action, the girl's presence in the house leads to complex psychological responses from Myra, Bill, and Arthur. The delicate balance of Myra and Bill's relationship and Myra's sanity itself begins to fray, as long-buried secrets are revealed. The Plan goes badly awry, and in Myra's final séance, the drama comes to a devastating conclusion.
Séance on a Wet Afternoon is based on a 1964 film by Bryan Forbes and novel by Mark McShane, and Schwartz has written his leading lady, Myra, for New York City Opera star Lauren Flanigan. Also featured in the cast are baritone Kim Josephson as Bill, Hila Plitman as Mrs. Clayton, John Kimberling as Mr. Clayton, and Craig Hart as Inspector Watts.
The cast will also include Benjamin Brecher, Caroline Worra, Gabriel Manro, Michael Marcotte, Kelsey Lee Smith (Adriana), and Aaron Refvem (Arthur). The ensemble chorus will feature Deborah Bertling, Danielle Bond, Julie Davis, Eric Carampton, Andrew Fernando, Darla Mattern, Jesse Merlin, Victoria Robertson, Tom Hurd, Jennifer Wallace, and Bray Wilkins.
Scott Schwartz will direct the production, with music direction by Valery Ryvkin and choreography by Matt Williams. You can view a video interview with Stephen Schwartz, hear audio clip and see a trailer at www.seancetheopera.com/.
You can also get a sneak peak of the opera at Upright Cabaret’s evening with Stephen Schwartz: Making Good…a Concert. Directed by Billy Porter, it’s part of Upright Cabaret’s Wicked Summer Nights Series at the Ford Amphitheater on August 23, 2009. Tickets are available on the Ford’s website at www.fordamphitheater.com/.
