I’m thrilled that the focus of my work right now is developing brand new operas. I love the collaborative process and the opportunity to contribute to the creation of something new.
THE WOLF BY THE EARS a new opera by Dana Wilson, is based on the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. I’ll be returning to my alma mater, Ithaca College, on May 2nd, 2012, as a guest artist to play Thomas Jefferson, a man I have wanted to play ever since I saw 1776. I’m thrilled to be working with two old friends and celebrated members of the opera community, Director David Lefkowich and Conductor Brian DeMaris.
I just recently finished working on another new opera, A BLESSING ON THE MOON by Andy Teirstein based on the novel by Joseph Skibell. With a cast of five, most of us played several characters. The story centered around Chaim Skibelski, an incredible man on an incredible journey across Poland. The opera was accompanied by the Grammy nominated Warsaw Village Band, who flew over from Poland to be a part of this mesmerizing piece. We enjoyed a one night only stint at NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge and three days at Vancouver’s Chutzpah Festival.
I have recently decided to dip my hands into composing for the first time. I have always wanted to write a piece. In the fall, while visiting a favorite professor of mine at Ithaca College, I was presented with the challenge to write an opera. Though a slightly daunting task, I have to admit I was excited by the challenge. I have never written music but have been submerged in it since I was born and began formal training on the piano at age 5. I have been performing in, producing and even directing operas and musicals for the past 15 years, so I am sitting down at my dusty piano to put my knowledge of the genre and my desire to create down on paper. I have chosen a play that I have always wanted someone to musicalize and have decided to start doing it myself. I will not tell you the title of the play as I certainly do not have permission from the playwright to musicalize her work, but I will tell you it is exciting, provocative and desperate to be sung! Stay tuned for updates!