Mezzo-Soprano Denyce Graves in the Cast of ‘Margaret Garner’
By John Von Rhein, Chicago Tribune
Jun. 19–Casting has been announced for the Chicago premiere of the opera “Margaret Garner,” which the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University will present Nov. 1-9 in association with Michigan Opera Theatre.
Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, for whom composer Richard Danielpour wrote the title role, will sing the first two performances, Nov. 1 and 2. Graves is perhaps best-remembered for her smoldering Carmen in Lyric Opera’s production of the Bizet opera in 2005.
Tracie Luck, who portrayed Margaret Garner last year in the New York City Opera production of the 2005 work, will star in the remaining three shows, Nov. 6, 8 and 9.
Baritones Gregg Baker and Patrick Blackwell will share the role of Robert Garner; Baker will appear Nov. 1, 2 and 8, while Blackwell will appear Nov. 6 and 9. Baritones James Westman and Timothy Mix will similarly alternate as Edward Gaines.
Other major castings include soprano Amanda Majeski as Caroline Gaines; tenor Jason Collins as Casey; tenor Ryan MacPherson as George Hancock; tenor Torrance Blaisdell as the Auctioneer; and bass-baritone Aaron Stegemoller as a judge.
More than 150 artists will take part in the Chicago production, including two choruses and the Chicago Sinfonietta conducted by Stefan Lano. The stage director is Kenny Leon, whose credits include the recent Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
Set to a libretto by the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison, “Margaret Garner” is based on one of the most significant fugitive slave cases of antebellum America.
The performances will mark the first time since the 1970s that a full-scale opera production will have been mounted at the Auditorium, the original home of opera in Chicago.
Tickets will go on sale Monday at the Auditorium box office, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. Single ticket prices range from $40-$150. Call 312-902-1500, or go to margaretgarnerchicago.org or auditoriumtheatre.org.
Discounted tickets also are available for groups of 10 or more, including student groups for the Oct. 31 dress rehearsal. Call 312-431-2357 or e-mail bbullock@auditoriumtheatre.org.
Tickets, tables and sponsorships are being sold for a gala matinee performance Nov. 2. For information, call 312-922-2110, ext. 368; or e-mail amartinez@auditoriumtheatre.org.
jvonrhein@tribune.com
—–
To see more of the Chicago Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.chicagotribune.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, Chicago Tribune
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.