BWW Preview: WE'VE GOT OUR EYE ON YOU at SUNY New Paltz

SUNY New Paltz Department of Music Presents The World Premiere Workshop of

We've Got Our Eye on You - A Comic Opera in Four Scenes

Music and story by Nkeiru Okoye, Libretto by David Cote, Directed by Susan Einhorn

Performances March 1 & 5 at 8pm

At the Julien J. Studley Theatre

SUNY New Paltz Campus

Three sisters. A hunky Greek demigod. And a mantrap. Throw in a diva-the Oracle at Delphi-and you have We've Got Our Eye on You. In celebration of Women's History Month, Professor Daniel Kempton (Chair, Dept of Music) is pleased to announce world premiere workshop performances of the new comic opera with by composer Nkeiru Okoye (Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom) and librettist by David Cote (The Scarlet Ibis), directed by Susan Einhorn (Uncle Jed's Barbershop).

Performances will take place March 1 and 5 at 8pm at the Julien J. Studley Theatre (1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz,NY), featuring a student cast, an orchestra of students and faculty, and the New Paltz Chamber Singers under the baton of Edward J. Lundergan (Dept of Music and Director of Choral Activities).

We've Got Our Eye On You is a 70-minute opera that is very loosely based on Ancient Greek myth, made infamous in the "Stygian Witches" episode from 1980 camp classic Clash of the Titans. Taking inspiration from Gilbert & Sullivan, Monty Python, Stephen Sondheim and Aretha Franklin, the opera is both hilarious and touching, exploring the unchained desires of three highly unusual sisters torn between dignity and desire. "We've Got Our Eye on You" takes place in and around a cave inhabited by the Graeae, or Gray Sisters-Enyo, Pemphredo and Deino-siblings who share an external eyeball. A Chorus of Greeks introduces the sisters, who are cooking a man in their cauldron as they prepare for a visit from Pythia, the Oracle at Delphi. Pythia arrives and soon has a vision that the gals will be "known" by the hero Perseus, who is searching for Medusa. Inflamed by the idea of a strange man, the sisters vow not to tell. But will romantic impetuosity ruin all? Is Perseus hunter or prey? Mixing slapstick comedy with elegant, witty songwriting, composer Nkeiru Okoye and librettist David Cote explore notions of heroism, chastity and the modern teen phenomenon of "hooking up."

This production is noteworthy for several reasons: It's a rare instance of new opera created and premiered in the Lower Hudson Valley; for students and faculty at SUNY New Paltz, it will be a chance to work with professional artists; and the work is composed by and features African-American female artists, underrepresented voices in the new-opera field.

The cast includes Krista Miller (Enyo), Jillian Gawricki (Pemphredo), Amber Neilson (Deino), Daniel Chiu and Joshua Tobias (alternating as Perseus) and Guest Artist Patrice P. Eaton (www.patricepeaton.com/) as Pythia.

The creative team includes Nkeiru Okoye (composer), David Cote (librettist), Susan Einhorn (director), Edward J. Lundergan (choir director/conductor), Kent Smith(vocal director/coach) and Angela Perez (stage manager).

For details on We've Got Our Eye on You and other SUNY New Paltz events, visit www.newpaltz.edu/music/concertseries.html.

The opera will be performed March 1 and 5 at 8pm and is open to the public. We've Got Our Eye on You is a work-inprogress and not open for review, but the creative team welcomes feedback. The opera website is http://www.nkeiruokoye.com/#!weve-got-our-eye-on-you/c1rxf

TICKETING

Tickets are available in person at the Julien J. Studley Theatre. General Admission is

$10; Seniors $6; Faculty/Staff/ Student $3.