Opera is returning to Greenville!
After more than a yearlong hiatus forced by the pandemic, Glow Lyric Theatre is reviving its Summer Festival Season with three programs planned for August 19-29 at the Kroc Center.
Glow executive and artistic directors Christian and Jenna Elser promise performances that reflect on the political and social conflicts and challenges of the past year-and-a-half.
“We’ll explore everything we have collectively been through, from the pandemic to racial tensions and the cultural chaos we as a society have been dealing with,” Jenna Elser said.
For this Summer Festival, instead of full-length operas and musicals, Glow will offer smaller scale performances and cabaret-style shows. COVID-19 safety guidelines will be closely observed, with all cast members fully vaccinated.
“Safety is our number one priority,” Jenna Elser said.
‘Rock Opera’
The centerpiece of the festival is “Rock Opera,” a 90-minute fusion of opera, musical theater, pop and rock.
“We’re going to use music, along with dance and poetry, to respond to our collective experiences in this past year-and-a-half as well as celebrate our resilience,” Jenna Elser said.
“Rock Opera,” featuring a seven-piece band, is being created by local actors Javier Pagan, DeBryant Johnson, DeAna Earl and Janelle Odom with five other professional performers from around the country. The music may range from Queen to Sondheim to Verdi.
“It’s a diverse cast with diverse perspectives,” Jenna Elser said.
Performances of “Rock Opera” are August 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29.
“This season we are holding nothing back, especially after being dark for over a year,” Christian Elser said. “Our shows are completely original, they’re personal, they’ll have live musicians, and they’ll celebrate our human connection.”
‘Passione’
Glow’s second production of the festival is “Passione,” a program of well-known opera arias and duets featuring the Metropolitan Opera’s Hugo Vera and the San Francisco Opera’s Marina Harris, both accompanied by a pianist.
Harris and Vera are choosing the material for the program, which will likely include duets by Verdi and Puccini.
“It’s going to be a very elegant and personal concert performance,” Jenna Elser said. “This is for opera lovers and people who don’t know they’re opera lovers yet. They will be after the show.”
Performances of “Passione” are August 25 and 28.
‘Jenna & Christian Show’
Finally, Glow will offer the “Jenna & Christian Show,” a program featuring the Glow co-founders. They’ll share anecdotes from their “showmance-turned-love-story” and their most cherished memories from Glow’s past seasons.
Backed by a pianist, they’ll also perform music from classic musicals such as “South Pacific,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Camelot” and “Oklahoma.”
“We’ve always loved to perform together,” Jenna Elser said. “This show is really a love letter to everyone who has ever supported Glow. One of the things that really struck us about this year of the pandemic is how grateful we are for Glow, born out of love, the love Christian and I have for each other, the love we have for Greenville, the love we have for lyric theater.”
Performances of the “Jenna & Christian Show” are August 26 and 29.
Keeping it relevant
The pandemic forced Glow to cancel its 10th anniversary season last year and the Elsers are overjoyed to return to live performances.
“Hiring actors and designers again has really be invigorating and exciting,” Jenna Elser said.
In the interest of public health, Glow will sell no more than 150 tickets for a venue that normally accommodates more than 300. Groups of two and four will be spaced three feet apart. Glow will also accommodate single tickets.
This season, Glow will partner with mental health awareness organization Walt’s Waltz.
Glow has remained busy over the past year, hosting several virtual performances. Its hashtag for the festival is #GlowOn.
Throughout its history, Glow has sought to offer performances that explore the nation’s and community’s cultural climate.
“Our company responds to what’s going on socially and politically in our community, and we plan to do that this summer,” Jenna Elser said. “These shows are going to stick to our mission. We want to keep it relevant.”
If you go
What: Glow Lyric Theatre Summer Festival Season
When: August 19-29
Where: Fred Collins Performing Arts Center at the Kroc Center, 424 Westfield St., Greenville
Tickets: Season Subscriptions are available by purchasing a festival pass for $105. Festival pass holders receive a 15% discount and priority seating.
June 14: Festival passes open to past season subscribers.
June 25: Festival passes open to the general public and group sales open.
July 5: Single Tickets open to general public Purchase tickets by phone: 864-558-4569 or online at https://glowlyric.com/summer-festival-season/
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