The mainstage opera for the semester, Susannah opens Nov. 16.
The opera is loosely based on the story of Susanna and the Elders from the biblical Apocrypha. It follows “Susannah Polk,” a young girl from Tennessee who faces false accusations from local church members. Susannah will be played by Celia Tedde, music theater senior, and Tessa McQueen, vocal performance senior.
“It’s very different,” said Reagan Williams, design and production junior and costume designer for Susannah. “It’s not like a lot of operas you see, particularly because it’s in English, but it’s really upbeat and not all of it is sung, which is weird because it’s an opera. There’s some preachy moments that are really dramatic. But it’s more upbeat than most operas.”
Lily Hickey, theater and performance junior who plays “Crazy Sue,” said the show is also akin to musical theater.
“I’ve never done an opera before, but this one in particular is very similar to a musical theater show,” Hickey said. “I think the whole concept of this show and the plot is very relevant to today even though it’s told in the ’40s. I’ve learned so much from watching my fellow actors. Celia Tedde and Tessa McQueen are so amazing to watch.”
Crazy Sue is an original character added by Dr. David Herendeen, director of Susannah and director of opera and music theater. Hickey said while the music of the show is well-written, the transitions are abrupt and don’t make sense, so Herendeen added Crazy Sue to make them smoother. The character represents a later version of Susannah watching her memories play out before her. Hickey said Herendeen has added this character to every production of Susannah he’s directed.
Williams said the designing process for the show was quick and simple.
“It’s a big show, but it’s pretty simple, so it just starts with a lot of research and looking at what people were wearing when it takes place,” she said. “A lot of it came from looking at Appalachian people in the 1940s, but I also took a lot of inspiration from birds, particularly because there’s a lot of references to birds. A lot of the colors that are happening in the show relating to Susannah specifically go from the colors of a robin to orange and brown, and the elders are in blacks and grays and blues like blue jays.”
Susannah has performances at 8 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17 and at 3 p.m. Nov. 18 in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.
“It’s been so much fun,” Hickey said. “From someone who doesn’t necessarily enjoy operas that much, I think that this is a must-see.”
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