One of the special joys of contemporary opera is visiting new musical and storytelling territory on a journey of theatrical exploration. That should certainly be the case for Marble City Opera‘s next production, Heartbreak Express, by George Lam & John Clum. The work was premiered by Rhymes With Opera, a boutique opera company in NYC’s Greenwich Village, in November, 2015. This MCO production of Heartbreak Express will be the first one since its premiere and certainly the first one outside of NYC.
The Lam/Clum opera was inspired by the 2006 documentary film by Tai Uhlmann, For The Love Of Dolly, that followed five of Dolly Parton’s most avid fans. The opera involves four Dolly “superfans” who are waiting to meet her, each with big ideas and dreams of what the meeting will mean. Two sisters, Luanne and Darlene, won the opportunity to meet Dolly in person via an essay contest. Two others, Don and Travis, big collectors of Dolly memorabilia, have other ideas, having put their life savings into a new Dolly doll. They are after Parton’s blessing and assent to manufacture them.
The stage director is Marya Berry; the conductor is Logan Campbell. Sopranos Whitney Wells and April Hill are the two sisters, Luanne and Darlene, respectively. The tenor role of Travis will be sung by Ben Rorabaugh, with the baritone role of Don sung by Daniel Spiotta. The role of Dolly’s “assistant” will be sung by countertenor Min Sang Kim.
The work will see three performances Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 20, 21, and 22 at Old City Performing Arts Center (OCPAC), 111 State Street, at 7:30 PM.
