Photo Flash: First Look at World Premiere of Obeah Opera

Culchahworks Arts Collective and Panamania in association with Nightwood Theatre and b current proudly present the world premiere of Obeah Opera, a groundbreaking a cappella musical odyssey conceived, written and composed by Culchahworks Co-Artistic Director Nicole Brooks that runs Tuesday August 4 to Saturday, August 8 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in The Distillery District (Media Night August 6). Tickets are available at http://youngcentre.ca/ or by calling the Young Centre Box Office at416-866-8666 and will be available at http://obeahopera.com/ within the week. Check out a first look below!

Obeah Opera is a hand clapping, foot stomping, spirit-lifting, magical musical sensation unlike any other opera before it. Steeped in Black music, sung entirely a cappella by a powerful, racially diverse all-female cast of 14, Obeah Opera tells the story of the legendary Salem Witch Trials from the fascinating perspective of Caribbean slave women.

Breaking new ground, this dramatic work redefines traditional opera by moving away from European classical standards. Unbound by any particular genre, Obeah Opera encompasses an array of musical styles - spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel, traditional African, Caribbean Folk, Calypso, Ska, R&B and Reggae. What additionally makes this work unique and beyond the conventional definition of opera is that there are no musical instruments; just pure, compelling voice.

Photo Credit: Racheal McCaig Photography