Photo Flash: First Look at World Premiere of David Lang and Mark Dion's ANATOMY THEATER at LA Opera

LA Opera's 30th Anniversary Season will conclude with the world premiere of Anatomy Theater, opening on June 16. Created by Pulitzer Prize-winning and Academy Award-nominated composer David Lang, who co-wrote the libretto with Mark Dion, the new work is presented at REDCAT (631 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012) as part of the LA Opera Off Grand series. The presentation is part of a multi-season collaboration between LA Opera and Beth Morrison Projects to present cutting-edge contemporary works. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

Due to ticket demand, the run has been extended through June 20. (See below for performance dates and times.)

Anatomy Theater conjures a time when self-proclaimed "specialists" conducted public dissections of the corpses of executed criminals, seeking evidence of moral corruption in the interior of the human body. Based almost entirely on authentic found texts from the period, the opera follows the progression of an 18th-century English murderess from confession to execution to public dissection. Through the miracle of opera, she sings through it all. It explores the thin line between moralistic cruelty and dispassionate scientific inquiry.

It is, to be sure, a gruesome subject. It is also an immersive experience-audiences will serve as the spectators in the dissection theater. With nudity and plenty of blood, Anatomy Theater is not for the squeamish and definitely not for children. "Our piece is full of terrifying things," noted Mr. Dion and Mr. Lang. "Anatomy Theater is an opera of villains. There are no lovers, no peacemakers, no heroes in shining armor coming to the rescue. All the characters in our opera are dangerous."

Mezzo-soprano Peabody Southwell, whose many LAO appearances include La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi earlier this season, returns as murderess Sarah Osborne. Baritone Marc Kudisch, a Broadway star who made his 2004 company debut as Count Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music, returns as Joshua Crouch, the caretaker of the dissection theater. Bass-baritone Robert Osborne performs the role of anatomist Baron Peel and tenor Timur portrays his assistant Ambrose Strang.

The production is directed by Bob McGrath, the Obie-winning co-founder of Ridge Theater. The music director is Christopher Rountree, who will conduct wild Up, the path breaking L.A.-based chamber ensemble of which he is the founder, conductor and creative director.

The production features video design by Bill Morrison and projection design by Laurie Olinder. The lighting designer is Christopher Kuhl. The set is designed by co-librettist Mark Dion, with costumes by Alixandra Gage Englund and sound design by Garth MacAleavey.

For artist bios and additional information, visitLAOpera.org/Anatomy.

There will be five performances of Anatomy Theater presented at REDCAT:

• Thursday, June 16, 2016, at 8pm (world premiere)
• Friday, June 17, 2016, at 8pm
• Saturday, June 18, 2016, at 8pm
• Sunday, June 19, 2016, at 2pm
• Monday, June 20, 2016, at 8pm (newly added; best ticket availability)

After the final performance, audience members are invited to attend the official closing night party sponsored by Time Out Los Angeles.

Tickets are on sale now. Tickets cost $69 and can be purchased in person at the LA Opera Box Office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, by phone at 213.972.8001 or online at LAOpera.org. For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or emailLAOpera@LAOpera.org.

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