Utah Opera To Highlight Veterans' Journey With THE LONG WALK, 3/31, 4/1

On March 31 and April 1 at 7:30 PM "The Long Walk" will make its Western U.S. premiere at the Jeanné Wagner Theater in the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. It is the story of one man's experience and based on the book "The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life that Follows" by Brian Castner. Commissioned by American Lyric Theater and premiered in 2015 by Utah Opera's co-producer Opera Saratoga, this work is timely and moving. Tickets, priced at $45, are available for purchase through www.utahopera.org or by calling (801) 533-6683.

Mr. Caster's memoir has drawn widespread attention and critical praise as one of the most important war books of its time. Says Mr. Castner of his book: "This is a story of two journeys: an outward struggle of surviving the urban combat of modern war in order to return home at all costs, and the inward journey to find the new person that emerges after undertaking such a task."

The opera is centered on an American soldier as he copes with Blast Induced Traumatic Brain Injury after he returns home from duty in Iraq. This opera offers a visceral look at the realities of modern warfare and the unseen battles that rage inside our hearts.

Stage Director David Schweizer will bring to life "The Long Walk" in his Utah Opera debut at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center alongside conductor Steven Osgood, who will conduct the cast, musicians of the Utah Symphony, and Choristers of The Madeleine Choir School in his Utah Opera debut. This production will feature the debuts of Megan Marino in the role of Jessie, Martin Bakari in the role of Ricky, Matthew Scollin in the role of Jeff and Donita Volkwijn in the roles of Iraqi Woman/Perneatha/Yogini.

Daniel Belcher returns to Utah Opera after "The Merry Widow" in the lead role of Brian, which he performed for the world premiere at Opera Saratoga in July 2015. Choristers of The Madeleine Choir School Alex Yannelli, Henry Poppe, and Anthony Villanueva who were most recently at Utah Opera for "Carmen," return as Sam, Martin, and Virgil, the children of Jessie and Brian. Utah Opera Resident Artist Christian Sanders is featured in the role of Castleman and Abigail Rethwisch, who most recently sang the title role in Utah Opera's March 2017 production of "Lucia di Lammermoor," takes the stage in the roles of Aunt Sarah/Iraqi Woman/Shrink. Costumes for the production are designed by Nancy Leary in her Utah Opera debut.

The performance will last approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, with one intermission.

Author Brian Castner, composer Jeremy Howard Beck, and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann will be in Utah during the week leading up to "The Long Walk" for presentations, book readings, and signings. Check out http://usuoeducation.org/index.php/adults/festival for more information.

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