This November, American bass Kenneth Kellogg makes his Lyric debut as the Father in Blue. Read about his journey with the piece — from early workshops to Lyric's main stage — in this interview.
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Blue
November 16. 2024 - December 01. 2024
Upcoming Dates
November 16. 2024 - December 01. 2024
Lyric premiere Blue
Blue is destined to become an American classic. Co-produced by Lyric, The Glimmerglass Festival, and Washington National Opera, the opera presents the moving story of a Black middle-class family in Harlem whose hopes and dreams for their teenage son are shattered when he is shot by a white police officer. Tony-winning composer Jeanine Tesori’s magnificently moving music is matched by Tazewell Thompson’s probing, deeply sensitive libretto. The vocally and theatrically formidable bass Kenneth Kellogg (Lyric debut), who scored a triumph in the world premiere and in productions around the world, plays opposite two outstanding American artists – mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams and baritone Norman Garrett – in this anticipated Chicago premiere.
- Language: Sung in English with projected English titles
- Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including 1 intermission
- Location: Lyric Opera House
Lyric’s presentation of Tesori and Thompson’s Blue is generously made possible by the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and The Joyce Foundation, with additional support from Conagra Brands Foundation.
Pre-opera talk
Speaker: TBD
Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.
Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.
Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.
Articles
by Michael Solomon
The 70th anniversary season includes a potent mix of four beloved classics in grand productions, plus two contemporary works (both by female composers), the return of Sondra Radvanovsky, the debut of Patti LuPone, and more special events.
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The 2019 work Blue presents the moving story of a Black middle-class couple in Harlem, whose lives are shattered when their teenage son is shot by a white police officer. Experience its Lyric debut November 16-December 1.
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Artists
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Zoie Reams
Mother
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Kenneth Kellogg *
Father
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Travon D. Walker ***
Son
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Norman Garrett
Reverend
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Ariana Wehr *
Girlfriend #1/Nurse
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Adia Evans ***
Girlfriend #2
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Krysty Swann
Girlfriend #3
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Terrence Chin-Loy
Policeman #1
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Jonathan Pierce Rhodes *
Policeman #2
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Christopher Humbert, Jr. ***
Policeman #3
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Joseph Young *
Conductor
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Tazewell Thompson *
Director
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Donald Eastman *
Set Designer
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Jessica Jahn
Costume Designer
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Robert Wierzel
Lighting Designer
* Lyric debut
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble
Scenery and Costumes for this production of Blue are co-produced by Lyric Opera of Chicago, Glimmerglass Festival, Washington National Opera.
Header images: Scott Suchman/Washington National Opera, Karli Cadel/The Glimmerglass Festival