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Culchahworks Arts Collective and Panamania in association with Nightwood Theatre and b current proudly present the world premiere of Obeah Opera, a groundbreaking a cappella musical odyssey conceived, written and composed by Culchahworks Co-Artistic Director Nicole Brooks that runsTuesday August 4 to Saturday, August 8 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in The Distillery District (Media Night August 6). Tickets are available at http://youngcentre.ca/ or by calling the Young Centre Box Office at 416-866-8666 and will be available at http://obeahopera.com/ within the week.
Obeah Opera is a hand clapping, foot stomping, spirit-lifting, magical musical sensation unlike any other opera before it. Steeped in Black music, sung entirely a cappella by a powerful, racially diverse all-female cast of 14, Obeah Operatells the story of the legendary Salem Witch Trials from the fascinating perspective of Caribbean slave women.
Breaking new ground, this dramatic work redefines traditional opera by moving away from European classical standards. Unbound by any particular genre, Obeah Opera encompasses an array of musical styles – spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel, traditional African, Caribbean Folk, Calypso, Ska, R&B and Reggae. What additionally makes this work unique and beyond the conventional definition of opera is that there are no musical instruments; just pure, compelling voice.
Culchahworks Arts Collective and Panamania presented by CIBC
present the world premiereof
Obeah Opera
A Nicole Brooks Vision
in association withNightwood Theatreand b current
An epica capella opera performed by 14 powerhouse women:
Nicole Brooks, Divine Brown, Karen Burthwright, Diana Coatsworth, Saphire Demitro, Deidrey Francois,Nickeshia Garrick, Sarah Gibbons, Janet MacEwen, Debbie Nicholls-Skerrit, Melissa Noventa, Dana Jean Phoenix, Sabryn Rock and international Calypso star Singing Sandraas The Elder.
Music and Libretto: Nicole Brooks
Directed by: Lezlie Wade
Musical Director: Andrew Craig
Choreography by:Anthony “Prime” Guerra
Lighting Design: Bonnie Beecher
Set/Costume Design: Robin Fisher
Sound Design by Graham Clarke
Produced by Derrick Chua, Marinda de Beer and Paul Shaw
Tuesday, August 4 to Saturday, August 8, 2015 (Opening/Media Night August 6)
Tuesday–Saturday @7pm; Saturday matinee @1pm
Baillie Theatre at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in The Distillery District
50 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON, M5A 3C4
Tickets: $20.15 & $40
For tickets, call the Young Centre Box Office at 416.866.8666 or visit http://tickets.youngcentre.ca/
For more information, visit Facebook/ObeahOpera and follow Obeah Operaon Twitter: @ObeahOpera
