First Look Sonoma and ROCKIT Opera with Musical Traditions, Inc. Present
The WORLD PREMIERE of
SAGA of the 21st Century Girl:A Rock Opera Thriller
BERKELEY, CA- From April 4-6, 2014, First Look Sonoma and ROCKIT Opera will present the World Premiere of composer/librettist Sheli Nan’s, SAGA of the 21st Century Girl: A Rock Opera Thriller conducted by Mary Chun and directed by Melissa Weaver. This new opera stars Crystal Philippi in the title role as the disturbed young Girl struggling to cope with her self-absorbed Mother (Valentina Osinski) and gutless Father (Jo Vincent Parks) and their dysfunctional home. SAGA will open on Friday, April 4, 2014, and run for 3 performances. Portraying various aspects of the predatory impulse are the Shadows, both hilarious and genuinely frightening, portrayed by Alexis Lane Jensen and John Duykers. Video imagery designed by Matthew E. Jones will enliven the action.
With SAGA of the 21st Century Girl, Sheli Nan has crafted a score and libretto that offer biting satire and social commentary as viewed through a musical lens. The score is influenced by Baroque, Salsa, Afro-Cuban music and the work of Weill and Brecht. This story conveys a timeless yet distinctly modern tale of a Girl at risk in today’s age of the Internet who yearns to find love. No one needs her, wants her, or has time for her. As energy run wild with no moral compass, the Girl develops from preyed upon to predator with tragic consequences. She becomes the sacrifice that society demands. This completely original narrative with haunting musical themes is dynamic, captivating, and humorous at times. SAGA is recommended for mature audiences.
PERFORMANCE DATES/TIMES:
Friday, April 4, 2014 at 8pm
Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 8pm
Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 7pm
LOCATION:
Osher Studio
Arpeggio Center
2055 Center Street Berkeley, CA 90012
TICKETS:
Tickets can be purchased for $25:
-Online at sagaofthe21stcenturygirl.brownpapertickets.com
-By calling Brown Paper Tickets (800) 838-3006
-By emailing
[email protected]
CAST:
Crystal Philippi, The Girl
Valentina Osinski, The Mother
Jo Vincent Parks, The Father
Alexis Lane Jensen, Shadow
John Duykers, Shadow
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Sheli Nan, Composer
Melissa Weaver, Director
Mary Chun, Music Director
Matthew E. Jones, Video Designer
Jane Courant, Assistant Director
Brent Harnisch, Assistant Video Designer
Natalie Moran, Marketing/PR
Additional information:
Artist bios and other materials can be found at:
https://www.FirstLookSonoma.com. Information about the composer can be found at
https://www.SheliNan.com
First Look Sonoma is a fiscal sponsorship of Main Stage West.