Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Nightwood Theatre proudly supports the production of OBEAH OPERA, produced by Culchahworks Arts Collective and commissioned by the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games arts and culture festival, PANAMANIA presented by CIBC!
Obeah Opera is a hand clapping, foot stomping, spirit lifting, magical musical sensation. Steeped in Black music, sung entirely a cappella by a powerful all-female cast, Obeah Opera is a retelling of the legendary Salem witch trials from the fascinating perspective of Caribbean slave women.
The first of its kind, Obeah Opera (music & libretto by Nicole Brooks) is an a cappella ‘musical odyssey’ or ‘theatrical epic’ sung and danced by a racially diverse cast of 14 women. Rooted in the 17th century world of the Salem Witch Trials, (the same story found in Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ among other famous works including operas and films) this production revisits history and tells the story from the perspective of a young Caribbean slave, Tituba.
It is a ground- breaking dramatic work that redefines the traditional opera form by moving away from its European classical standard and using an array of different musical genres mainly found in what is termed 'Black' music such as spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel, traditional African, Caribbean Folk, Calypso, ska, R&B and reggae. It expands the definition of opera by incorporating a variety of storytelling elements from the performing arts and uses an inter-disciplinary approach that includes traditional theatre, musical theatre, opera, dance, visual arts. It ultimately introduces a different use of language, voice, and the body on stage.
LOCATION:
Young Centre for the Performing Arts
SHOW TIMES:
Tuesday, August 4 - 7:00pm
Wednesday, August 5 - 7:00pm
Thursday, August 6 - 7:00pm
Friday, August 7 - 7:00pm
Saturday, August 8 - 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Photo: Obeah Opera. ©2012 Nation Cheong.
2015-07-28
Toronto: "Obeah Opera" by Nicole Brooks runs August 4-8