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By PlaybillArts Staff
20 Jan 2009
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| Ricky Ian Gordon |
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| photo by Kevin Doyle |
Chicago Opera Vanguard - a new company based out of the Windy City - will launch its inaugural "Season Ø" Jan. 29 with the Chicago premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon's Orpheus and Euridice. Rising Chicago fashion star Steven Rosengard ("Project Runway") contributes costume design.
Directed by Artistic Director Eric Reda, this marks the company’s first fully-staged production. The ensemble has gathered a host of dancing musicians and singing actors, along with top visual artists from across Chicago’s creative community, to tell the powerful story of enduring love.
"Written as a tribute to his lover who died in 1996, Orpheus and Euridice showcases Gordon’s gift for creating music that combines the accessibility of a Broadway song with the depth of a Classical piece, "according to production notes. "In keeping with COV’s commitment to using engaging visual design and new technology, the production will include an interactive video display, giant wall murals, and costumes designed by rising Chicago fashion star Steven Rosengard."
The cast features soprano Rebecca Prescott as Eurydice with dancer/ clarinetist Patrick Rehker as Orpheus. The production is co-choreographed and danced by Logan Vaughn and Ken Gash of HouseHold Arts Collective.
The design team includes sound by Florian Staab, lighting by Richard Ebeling, creature design by Jaime Reda of ARTiculate Studios, murals designed by Rob Funderburk, and costumes designed by former "Project Runway" contestant Steven Rosengard.
Orpheus and Euridice performs Jan. 29 - Feb. 8 at the AV-Aerie (2000 W. Fulton St.) A cash bar will be available.
Admission is by reservation only. Suggested general admission is a donation of $20 Thursday & Sunday; $25 Friday & Saturday. Suggested student admission is a donation of $10. Tickets are available online at www.chicagovanguard.org.
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Gordon is a New York City-based composer praised for his lyrical approach to vocal music that spans art song, opera, and musical theater. He has composed several operas and had his music performed by Audra McDonald, Dawn Upshaw, Renée Fleming, Kristin Chenoweth and others. His opera, The Grapes of Wrath, premiered in Saint Paul, Minnesota in Feb. 2007.
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About Chicago Opera Vanguard:
Employing the daring aesthetic of an off-Loop theater, Chicago Opera Vanguard is dedicated to creating the Mid-West’s foremost home for engaging opera theater by commissioning new works, giving a second voice to daring music-theater pieces, and by completely re-imagining operatic favorites.
The second production of Season Ø will be Mark-Anthony Turnage and Jonathan Moore's GREEK (May 28 - June 7), an operatic adaptation of Stephen Berkoff's play. Chicago lovers of music and theater are invited to become Charter Members of Chicago Opera Vanguard for only $50. As a founding patron of COV’s experiment in musical theater Charter Members will receive first tickets to both Season Ø productions and be at the forefront of an artistic movement.
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