Leon Directs Opera Margaret Garner; Libretto by Morrison

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, in association with Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT), will co-produce the Chicago premiere of Margaret Garner, a new opera based on one of the most significant and controversial fugitive slave stories in pre-Civil War America, Nov. 1 – 9, 2008.

The opera features music by Grammy-Award winning composer Richard Danielpour and a libretto by Toni Morrison, celebrated novelist and winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize for Literature. Internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, for whom the opera was written, will bring her critically hailed performance to the stage of the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, under the direction of award-winning director Kenny Leon, whose Broadway credits include Radio Golf, Gem of the Ocean and A Raisin in the Sun, and who will next direct the Broadway play Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

Margaret Garner features more than 150 artists, including soloists, two choruses, and the Chicago Sinfonietta under the musical direction of Stefan Lano.  The Chicago premiere of Margaret Garner marks the first time since 1941 that an opera of this scale has been presented on the stage of the Auditorium Theatre.  The piece was originally commissioned by MOT, Cincinnati Opera and Opera Company of Philadelphia for its 2005 debut.

"Margaret Garner is a beautiful and compelling work, and we are certain that the opera will resonate with Chicago audiences in many powerful ways," said Brett Batterson, executive director of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.  "Although the Auditorium Theatre has been host to the finest artists in the world since its opening, and has produced a number of concerts and special events, we have not undertaken anything this ambitious for decades. Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan designed the Auditorium for music and opera, and its acoustics are world renowned. We take tremendous pride in presenting an opera of such artistic, educational and historic importance here at the Auditorium." 

"The opera tells the compelling story of Margaret Garner's quest for freedom. Fleeing Kentucky's Maplewood Plantation in 1856 to Ohio, Margaret Garner made the horrific decision to sacrifice her own children when capture was at hand, rather than see them returned to the bonds of slavery," state press materials.   "Beyond the deep historical significance of the Margaret Garner story, the opera, as conceived by Richard Danielpour and Toni Morrison, will speak to audiences on a purely human level."

This enormous undertaking has met with significant leadership support from the Chicago community. The lead corporate sponsor of Margaret Garner is The Boeing Company, and the lead education sponsor is Kraft Foods, Inc. Bob and MarjiLee Blackwell are the lead individual sponsors and United Airlines is the airline sponsor.  Additional funding and support is being provided by Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, George & Joan Segal, and the Palmer House Hilton.

The variety of historical, legal and moral issues portrayed in Margaret Garner lend themselves to a broad spectrum of related activities.  To date, collaborators include Roosevelt University, Chicago Public Schools, Facing History and Ourselves, and Chicago Foundation for Women, in addition to the Chicago Sinfonietta and Michigan Opera Theatre.  

The project manger is Gail Kalver, former executive director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. 

Auditions will be held in Chicago on Sept. 6, 2007 for select roles. Additional audition information is available at www.margaretgarnerchicago.org.  

Individual tickets range in price from $40 – 150, and will go on sale at a future date to be announced.  Group tickets are available now with discounts available.  Groups may purchase tickets by calling 312.431-2357.

Photo of Kenny Leon by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.