REBECCA HALE
Assistant Reverb Editor
This year’s Hillman Opera will present “Susannah,” a 20th century masterpiece of American musical theatre considered to be one of the most popular American operas, this weekend. Carlyse Floyd’s “Susannah” is a dramatic tragedy that follows the young and innocent Susannah, who faces adversity and oppression from her Southern, Evangelist community.
“‘Susannah’ is considered the foundation of all American operatic works,” said producer Julie Newell. Newell is celebrating her 25th year as acting Hillman Opera producer; she is also the director of the Opera Program at Fredonia.
“I was especially interested in doing a 20th century work, [one] which provided a broad contrast from last year’s Hillman Opera, “La Cenerentola,” Newell said. “It’s important for students to experience as much variety of style in their training as possible.”
Differing from the Italian “La Cenerentola,” “Susannah” is sung in English with Southern accents. Junior Michael Hawk, who played Dandini in La Cenerentola, is excited to be playing the role of the Reverend Olin Blitch in Susannah — a character he says is complicated and intense.
“He isn’t one of your dime-a-dozen antagonists; we actually get to see his complex character progression and eventually deterioration. Blitch has been a wonderful challenge and opportunity for which I am incredibly thankful,” Hawk said. He also explained the music within “Susannah.” “Carlyse Floyd’s music is beautifully lyrical to depict the innocence of Susannah, [and] it is wonderfully dissonant to depict the human strife and fear, and it takes you to a different time and place,” he said.
Fredonia has put on “Susannah” twice before: once in 1972, where Carlyse Floyd himself attended the performance, and again in 1983.
The set for “Susannah” was designed by Fredonia alumni Samantha Sayers and Ian Lootens, and, according to Hawk, “will beautifully frame and enhance the drama and story of Susannah.”
Hawk says that “Susannah” is an opera that can be enjoyed by both the seasoned opera-goer as well as the first-timer. According to him, the most important reason to see the opera is it’s originality as an American work.
“In the realm of opera and art, there is sometimes an emphasis on European works, artists, or composers. But ‘Susannah’ is our story,” said Hawk.
The text of “Susannah” also contains many underlying themes.
“The opera is based on the Apocryphal tale of Susannah and the Elders; it is believed that Mr. Floyd wrote it as a social commentary against the McCarthy political trials in which prominent citizens were falsely accused of being Communists. Additionally, topics of domestic violence and feminism are easily identified throughout the work,” explained Newell.
“This story has something for everyone, and a moral that we all need to hear a little more often: to never judge a book by its cover, and that rumors you may hear about someone may tell you more about the speaker’s insecurities than anything else,” said Hawk.
The Hillman Opera is sponsored by the Hillman Memorial Music Association, the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance. It will be conducted by Dr. David Rudge and is stage-directed by Ted Sharon.
The show features a split cast, in which senior Margaret Van Norden (Susannah) and Hawk will perform on Nov. 7 and 9, and seniors Danielle Beckvermit and Colin Mann will play Susannah and Blitch, respectively on Nov. 8. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. in Marvel Theatre.
The production will feature both faculty and alumni as well as over 100 students onstage and behind the scenes. Laurel Walford is acting costume designer, and Todd Proffitt is lighting designer.
Tickets are $25 for the general public and $10 for students. They can be obtained through the Ticket Office by phone at 673-3501 or online at fredonia.edu/tickets.