{"id":455,"date":"2015-07-22T13:19:53","date_gmt":"2015-07-22T13:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/barbaraboyden.com\/?p=455"},"modified":"2015-07-22T13:28:32","modified_gmt":"2015-07-22T13:28:32","slug":"obeah-opera-my-blatant-plug-with-a-smattering-of-gossip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbaraboyden.com\/?p=455","title":{"rendered":"OBEAH OPERA — My blatant plug with a smattering of gossip"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Obeah-Opera-POSTER\"<\/p>\n

I had no idea my friend Nicole had all this inside her head. I knew she was smart. And I knew she could sing. But write an opera? Stand up to naysayers? Refuse to be cut down by hesitant big time financial supporters? Nicole took them all on and won.<\/p>\n

This not a sturm and drang European opera. Obeah is breakthrough — an opera with every kind of Black music weaving in and out, in and out. <\/p>\n

You see, Nicole kept having these dreams that fed the music. And she knows what life is like when it comes to struggle. But she\u2019s not a complainer. Instead, Nicole wrote the story and the music. And she performs and sings the lead. Well, it is her opera. <\/p>\n

\u201cObeah Opera is a hand clapping foot stomping spirit lifting, magical musical sensation. Steeped in Black music, sung entirely a cappella by a powerful all-female cast, Obeah Opera is a retelling of the legendary Salem witch trials from the fascinating perspective of Caribbean slave women.\u201d (Obeah Opera Info Package)<\/small><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"NicoleNicole plays Tituba the slave who confronted persecution in Barbados and again in Salem, Massachusetts. Tituba is mentioned in Arthur Miller\u2019s The Crucible. <\/p>\n

The word Obeah comes from African slaves brought to the Caribbean, sold in America and always threatened with death. Their African knowledge of healing was interpreted as witchcraft by white communities giving us the Salem Witch Trials. <\/p>\n

Obeah Opera is Nicole\u2019s triumph. It\u2019s definitely a Nicole Brooks vision.
\nGo see Obeah Opera as it explodes into the world. Just go. Because I said so. And because Margaret Atwood and David Mirvish agree.<\/p>\n

\"Tweet<\/p>\n

“I’m very impressed with Nicole Brooks’ vision, dedication and talent. OBEAH OPERA sounds fascinating and vital. It is a show I fully support. I look forward to seeing its world premiere production at Panamania.” David Mirvish<\/small><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And the dirt and gossip? My lips are sealed because I\u2019m trying to be an Obeah elder. BUT we still need donations. If you find it in your heart, please make a donation for my friend Nicole\u2019s inclusive piece of theatre art \u2013 Obeah Opera.<\/p>\n

HOW TO DONATE<\/h3>\n

We have 2 ways to donate:<\/p>\n

FOR A TAX CREDIT RECEIPT:<\/h4>\n

CHEQUES<\/strong>
\nWrite cheque payable to Nightwood Theatre, with Obeah Opera in the memo line
\nPhone Beth at Nightwood Theatre (416) 944-1740 ex. 3 to make arrangements for delivery or pick-up <\/p>\n

ONLINE<\/strong>
\nhttps:\/\/www.canadahelps.org\/en\/charities\/nightwood-theatre\/<\/a>
\nDonors need to select Obeah Opera from the dropdown menu.<\/p>\n

OR <\/p>\n

ONLINE COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER \u2013 NO TAX CREDIT<\/strong>
\nhttp:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/ObeahOpera<\/a><\/p>\n

OBEAH OPERA \u2013 A NICOLE BROOKS VISION<\/h3>\n

PRODUCTION TEAM<\/h4>\n

Creator, Composer & Librettist:<\/strong>\tNicole Brooks
\nDirector & Staging:<\/strong> Lezlie Wade
\nMusic Director:<\/strong> Andrew Craig
\nChoreographer:<\/strong> Anthony \u201cPrime\u201d Guerra<\/p>\n

Sound Designer:<\/strong> Graham Clarke
\nSet and Costume Designer:<\/strong> Robin Fisher
\nLighting Designer:<\/strong> Bonnie Beecher<\/p>\n

Stage Manager:<\/strong> Kathleen Harrison
\nAssistant Stage Manager:<\/strong> Ashley Westlake<\/p>\n

Associate Producer (Creative):<\/strong> Marinda de Beer
\nAssociate Producer (Technical):<\/strong> Paul Shaw
\nProducer:<\/strong> Derrick Chua<\/p>\n

CAST<\/h4>\n

Nicole Brooks (Tituba)
\nDivine Brown (Mary Black)
\nKaren Burthwright (Candy)
\nDiana Coatsworth (Captain\/Doctor)
\nSaphire Demitro (Auctioneer\/Shapeshifter)
\nDeidrey Francois (Sarah)
\nNickeshia Garrick (Shapeshifter)
\nSarah Gibbons (Abigail Williams)
\nJanet MacEwen (Rev Samuel Parris)
\nDebbie Nicholls-Skerritt (Shapeshifter)
\nMelissa Noventa (Mercy\/Shapeshifter)
\nDana Jean Phoenix (Betty Parris)
\nSabryn Rock (Elizabeth Eldridge)
\nSinging Sandra (The Elder)<\/p>\n

SHOWTIMES<\/h3>\n