OUR AMERICAN ODYSSEY opera premiere production:
OUR AMERICAN ODYSSEY is inspired by Homer's THE ODYSSEY and the currents of our time, blending the worlds of mythological and modern men and women. The music is lyric, dramatic, and comic; a contemporary opera/music theater/minimalism/world music blend.
SOUTH BEND LYRIC OPERA PREMIERE CAST:
DRAMATIS PERSONAE:
Penelope, fiber artist, loyal wife of Odysseus -- Mary Martin, soprano
Odysseus, stockbroker, wandering warrior husband of Penelope -- Seth Johnson, tenor
Cyclops, monster/Antinous, suitor’s ringleader -- Carl Ratner, bass-baritone
Circe, New Age Malibu Spiritual Retreat entrepreneur -- Elizabeth Schleicher, soprano
Calypso, Cayman Islands resort owner -- Eleni Taluzek, mezzo soprano
Clea, immigrant, Penelope’s studio assistant -- Emma Sorenson, mezzo soprano
Maids and Suitors, SATB Chorus – Brittney Hale, Kaitlyn Meyer, Victoria Schemenauer, Danni-Jo Rausch, Quin Wezeman, Casey Constant, George Zielke, Dan Newton,Tim McFeeters
Ellis Anderson, Piano
CREATIVE TEAM:
Marjorie M. Rusche, Composer/Librettist
Hannah McDermott & Laurel Thomas, Text Contributors
Juan Carlos Alarcon, Conductor
Addie Pfeiffer, Chorus Master
Carl Ratner, Stage Director
Coley Mroczek, Stage/Production Manager
Damen Mroczek, Scenic Designer
Emily Chidalek, Costume Designer
Ethan Brentlinger, Lighting Designer
Hannah Counsellor, Graphic Designer
Emanuel-Cristian Caraman, South Bend Lyric Opera Artistic Director
Stephanie Rizk, South Bend Lyric Opera Director of Programs
VENUE: Joshi Performance Hall, Indiana University South Bend
The Louise E. Addicott and Yatish J. Joshi Performance Hall is located on the first floor in the west wing of Northside Hall, across from the elevators. Parking is available in the upper Northside Hall lot off of 20th street. Room NS158.
Louise E. Addicott & Yatish J. Joshi Performance Hall
1825 Northside Blvd, South Bend, IN. (574) 520-4203
Joshi Performance Hall is located on the campus of Indiana University South Bend, 1700 E Mishawaka Ave, South Bend, IN.
From Chicago: Take I-90E then I-90E/ I-80E (Indiana Toll Road). Drive around 95 miles.Take the second South Bend, IN exit (South Bend/NotreDame). Turn right (south) on BUS 31. Turn left (east) on E Angela Blvd, which skirts the south edge of the University of Notre Dame campus. Turn right (south) on Twyckenham Drive. Turn left (east) on Mishawaka Avenue, which skirts the north edge of Indiana University South Bend. Turn right (south) on 20th St. Turn right (west) on Vine St. into an IUSB parking lot. Walk south and slightly west to the northwestern entrance to Northside Hall. Joshi Performance Hall is just inside the double doors to the right.
TIME: 7:30 p.m. (E.S.T.)
DATES: Friday, October 20, 2023 & Saturday, October 21, 2023
TICKETS: Can be purchased online at https://www.southbendlyricopera.org.
You are welcome to meet the artists after the Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21 performances during a reception in the lobby.
This production made possible with support from the Ziker Family Donor Fund, Indiana Arts Commission, Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, 1st Source Bank, EcoOwl Press, Carleton Consumer Lending Services, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Network for Good, and individual donors.