I LOVE SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON

What do you get when you take a story adapted from a novel into a screenplay, then turn it into a brilliant opera?  SEANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON.  (Click here for LA TIMES review.)

Earlier this summer I attended an evening celebrating the music of composer STEPHEN SCHWARTZ.
It was at the Ford Amphitheater here in LA.  This is where he gave us a sneak peak at his new opera.  I was sold immediately and knew that if I didn't buy the discounted tickets that night I would regret it.  I am so grateful that I did.  Throughout my life I have been blessed to be a part of a number of many new projects and events.  Today was one of them.

Mr. Schwartz for those of you who don't know his work has written music and lyrics for a few little musicals: GODSPELL, PIPPIN and the blockbuster WICKED!

For films:  the songs for The Prince Of Egypt and lyrics for Disney's Pocahontas, The Huchback of Notre Dame, and Enchanted (all with music from Alan Menken.)

Stephen Schwartz went to screenwriter/director Bryan Forbes and got the rights to the story.
The original film stars Kim Stanley and Sir Richard Attenborough.  Steven Sharpe from Opera Santa Barbara called Mr. Schwartz to write an opera for them.  Seance On A Wet Afternoon had been suggested to Mr. Schwartz as a possible idea for a new musical.  He saw the story as being better suited for opera.  And today we were treated to amazing performance by it's two leads, Lauren Flanigan as Myra Foster and Kim Jospehson as Billy Foster her husband. This week's three performances were the world premiere for this amazing opera.

THE PLOT
A medium Myra Foster hatches a plot with her husband Billy to kidnap a child and then give the parents info as where to find her.  In the process bringing her fame and fortune and notoriety.
Mr. Schwartz is rumored to have written this part for Lauren.  Watching this artist perform this great material is like watching a great runner win a race!  You know they're going to win and it's the thrill of watching them do it!  Kim Josephson plays Myra's devoted husband Billy who goes along with her plot.  In Act II he sings a song about his wife and why he loves her.  It is an amazing insight into both characters and Mr. Josephson's amazing strong baritone voice brought to life Billy's love for his wife as he struggles to do what his wife wants against his better nature.

Such a dark subject matter and made for a delicious opera.  Set in the early 60's in San Francisco, beautifully costumed and with a full two story house set that revolved on stage, it all made for a flawless show! (I love me some good stagecraft!!!)  Beautifully lit and the full house orchestra made for an amazing afternoon of theatre!

My friend Doug and I got to talk to Mr. Schwartz today at the final performance at the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara.  Oh it was so worth the drive up!  Doug got a picture with him.  I got to talk to him after the show and thank him for composing such a great show.  I asked him, "so when are you going to New York with this."  His reply, "as soon as they as us!"

(A special thanks to Doug for driving us up and for a great lunch before the opera.)