Modern Opera Company Debuts With Mary Magdalene Musical

Modern Opera Company, a company dedicated to promoting new musical works and local talent, will make its West Coast debut on July 19-20 at The Mainstage at The Hudson Theatres in Los Angeles, with its inaugural presentation, a workshop production of a new musical about Mary Magdalene, MARY - A MUSICAL (book, music, and lyrics by Gayla D Morgan; book co-written by Jean Mornard).

The two semi-staged, on-book performances star Julia Maria Johnson in a powerhouse lead as Mary Magdalene. Also starring are Egan Carroll as Peter, Mary's nemesis; Krishna Raman as Jesus; Manfred Anaya as John; and Chloe Armantrout as Young Mary Magdalene, who, after opening the show in a scene that is a window to Mary's childhood, appears throughout the show as her inner child.

The cast also includes Laura Barrows as Mother Mary, Britta Sterling as Martha of Bethany, Gwyn Mackenzie as Mary of Bethany, Jake T. Angel as Lazarus, Andrew Hebert as Hezron, Matthew Zunich as Eldad and Uncle, and features Elise Walters as The Artist. Comprising the creative team are Jessica Schneiderman, director; Caleb Glickman, music director; Parker Walters, stage manager; Elise Walters, assistant director; Seaglass Theatrical, associate general manager; and the writers, Gayla D. Morgan and Jean Mornard.

MARY - A MUSICAL is a full-length musical drama about a damaged, fiercely strong woman who has distanced herself from society and trusts nobody-until a near-death experience challenges her to question her views. The audience watches as she begins to choose community over solitude, and learns to let go of fear and anger in favor of being vulnerable enough to accept love, and give love, again...and become stronger for the choice. Although the story is based on the Biblical narrative, Mary Magdalene is not portrayed as an icon-her internal struggles are the same as those we face today: being accepted by others, and ultimately, accepting ourselves.

Founded in 2018, Modern Opera Company was formed to offer performing artists in NYC the opportunity to gain experience as they presented concert versions of existing 20th Century opera and musical theater works. After two successful seasons, the company expanded to offer opera and musical theater creators a place to workshop and present their works-in-progress to an audience, performed by top-level performers. In 2020, the company relocated to Los Angeles, CA, where it now is solely focused on presenting new operatic and musical theater works. The company is led by Jessica Schneiderman, Artistic Director.

For more information, including a preview of the music: ModernOperaCompany.com

Performances: 7:00pm, Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20

Location: The Mainstage at The Hudson Theatres, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles

Tickets: Admission is free, please note reservations are required: ModernOperaCo.Square.Site

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.