DIRECTOR’S NOTE by Michael J. Bobbitt

Treemonisha is a gem of an opera by one of America’s most treasured composers, Scott Joplin. One could arguably say that Scott Joplin changed the landscape of American music and influenced what modern music is today. This music is vast and various, but extremely accessible and joyous. 

We have had a lot of fun trying to figure out how to clarify and intensify the story while setting it in a place that embraces our mixed race cast. Because the story deals with superstition, belief, and magic, we decided to lean toward a slightly fantastic place. Our young heroine enjoys the wonders of reading and tries to spread that love throughout her community. Her youth and her desires presented us with yet another opportunity to have fun with this opera. All in all, I hope you will enjoy this fantasy, set in the bayous of Louisiana, where good and love triumph over evil, with the story told through the infectious music of the incomparable Scott Joplin.

 

 

Treemonisha more about

February 19 - March 7, 2010
Atlas Performing Arts Center, Lang Theatre

director Michael Bobbitt | music director Marvin Mills | choreographer Pauline Grossman

Treemonisha JOANNA FORD
Monisha, Treemonisha's mother MARILYN MOORE
Ned, Treemonisha's father DARRYL WINSTON
Parson Alltalk DOUG BOWLES
Cephus, a conjurer MICHAEL GALLO
Luddud JOHN DELLAPORTA
Simon, a conjurer RANDAHL "RANDY" LINDGREN
Zoezedtrick, a conjurer LC HARDEN
Andy DARIN ELLIS
Lucy SHANA POWELL
Remus, Treemonisha's beau MURVYN T. CANNADAY II

ensemble

Corinne Baker | Jennifer Bowman | Darnell C. Brandon | B. Jackson Caesar | Mikey Cafarelli | Fabiola Echazabal | Kristina Granados | Susan-Lisa Gvinter | Randall Holloway | Liz Isbell | Anna Jackson | Josh Katz | Alisa Kieffer | Rebekah Lauren |
A. Maverick Lemons | Robert Nunez | Tracy Ramsay | Jamie Shumaker | Patricia Targete


reviews

Intersections

Treemonisha was part of the
Intersections Festival, February 19-March 7, 2010