Washington National Opera to Present THE LION, THE UNICORN, AND ME in December

The Washington National Opera will bring back its popular family opera tradition with The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me. The cast is led by Cafritz Young Artist (CYA) graduate, Marian Anderson Vocal Award winner, and Washington, D.C. native Soloman Howard, reprising his role as the titular Lion.  

Composed by Jeanine Tesori, with a libretto by the late J.D. McClatchy and based on the book by Jeanette Winterson, the original production of The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me “sustain[s] a lot of fresh energy and charm” (Washington Post). When the opera premiered in 2013, Tesori was the first female composer commissioned by WNO. In another “first,” Tesori has three operas staged by WNO in the same year (the other two are Blue and Grounded); a first for a contemporary composer. She also received her second Tony Award this year for Kimberly Akimbo. 

The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me tells the familiar Nativity story from a fresh perspective—those of the barn animals. WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, who commissioned the opera and directed the original production, said the story is about “the wonder of creation.” In this version, “the unexpected becomes great; the ordinary becomes extraordinary. It is not just as a story for kids, but for everyone. It is a story that reaches outside any religion and celebrates the things we least expect.” 

This revival will be directed by Andrea Beasom and conducted by Stephanie Rhodes Russell, former CYA. The principal cast include Soloman Howard (The Lion), along with members of the CYA program Kresley Figueroa (The Unicorn), Justin Burgess (The Donkey), Darryl Lillian Johnson and Aria Song (Angels), and the Washington National Opera children's chorus.  

The performance on December 9 at 2p.m. will be a Sensory-friendly performance,” which is designed to create a welcoming and comfortable arts experience for people with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other social, learning or cognitive disabilities. Info here.

The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me

Music by Jeanine Tesori
Libretto by J.D. McClatchy, based on the book by Jeanette Winterson
December 8–10, 2023 in the Terrace Theater
In English with Projected English Titles
WNO Revival 

Friday, December 8, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (Sensory-friendly Performance)
Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. 

Cast/Creatives

Angels Darryl Lillian Johnson/Aria Song Mary/Carmen Winona Martin** Joseph/Stagehand Sahel Salam** The Donkey Justin Burgess** The Unicorn/Weaver Kresley Figueroa** The Lion/Butcher 2 Soloman Howard† The Flamingo/Brother 2/Horse/Silk Merchant 1 Tiffany Choe** The Cat/Brother 1/Silk Merchant 2 Cecelia McKinley** The Hippo/Holy Man/Dog/Water Seller Jonathan Pierce Rhodes** The Elk/Camel soloist/Butcher 1 Jonathan Patton** The Innkeeper/Ox/Shepherd Sergio Martinez**     Director Andrea Beasom Conductor Stephanie Rhodes Russell*

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* WNO mainstage debut
† Alumnus of the Cafritz Young Artist program
**Cafritz Young Artist 

ABOUT WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA

Washington National Opera (WNO) is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. Under the leadership of General Director Timothy O'Leary and world-renowned Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, the company presents a diverse repertory of grand opera across three main venues of the Kennedy Center. From classic operas to contemporary works, each season the WNO's artistic output also includes commissioned American works and a variety of special concerts, youth operas, and events. Founded in 1956 and an artistic affiliate of the Kennedy Center since 2011, WNO has a storied legacy of more than 100 new productions, plus world premieres, international tours, live recordings, and radio broadcasts, digitally streamed content, as well as innovative education and community-engagement programs. Recent celebrated productions have included a new production of Strauss' Elektra; the D.C. premiere of Jeanine Tesori's and Tazewell Thompson's Blue, which was commissioned by Zambello; the world premiere of Written in Stone—composed for the Kennedy Center's 50th anniversary season; the world premiere of Philip Glass' reconceived Appomattox, presented in conjunction with cultural events throughout Washington, D.C.; the powerful performances of Kurt Weill's Lost in the Stars; and the massive feat of WNO's first complete Ring Cycle, which was helmed by Zambello and played to sold-out houses following international acclaim. The 2023–2024 season includes the world premiere of Grounded by Jeanine Tesori and George Brant, and Turandot with a new ending by Christopher Tin and Susan Soon He Stanton. WNO is committed to expanding opera's reach and fostering a new generation of opera talent. Among the company's most successful education and community engagement programs are the American Opera Initiative (AOI), the Cafritz Young Artist Program, the WNO Opera Institute, Opera in the Outfield, in-person and digital Look-In performances, the Student Dress Rehearsal Program, free pre-concert lectures and post- show Q&As after many shows, the WNO Young Associates program, and the Let's Go There discussion series.  

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Ticket Information

Tickets may be purchased online at kennedy-center.org, in-person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, or by calling (202) 467-4600.

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