The world premiere of Paul’s Case, an original opera based on a Willa Cather short story, will be UrbanArias’s next production, opening April 20th, the company announced today.
The short story is about a young man in turn-of-the-(last)-century Pittsburgh, passionate about art and about having a good time. A wise guy on the verge of being expelled from school, Paul’s real interests are in theater and music.
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Paul’s Case
Closes April 28, 2013
Artisphere
1101 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22209
Tickets: $22
Details and tickets [/wpcol_1quarter]As an usher at Carnegie Music Hall, he hangs out with the young actors and generally causes trouble around town. Eventually his father pulls him from school, puts him to work and forbids him from going to the theater. He responds by stealing three thousand dollars and spending it on a good time in the Big Apple. When he learns that his father is on to him, he throws himself in front of a train.
The libretto, by Kathryn Walat and Gregory Spears, closely hews to Cather’s plot line, according to the company. Spears, who has written Wolf-in-Skins and The Bricklayer as well as a Requiem, has written the score.
Kevin Newbury, who directed UrbanArias’ production of Ricky Ian Gordon’s Orpheus and Eurydice, will direct the cast which includes Jonathan Blalock, Keith Phares, Michael Slattery, Amanda Crider, James Shaffran, Melissa Wimbish and Erin Sanzero.
