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Not your typical Tulsa Opera audition notice...
Published: 10/19/2011 11:30 AM
Last Modified: 10/19/2011 11:30 AM

Tulsa Opera's audition notice for two non-singing roles in its upcoming production of "Dead Man Walking" gives as good an indication as any that this opera, which the company will present in Februrary 2012, is unlike any other work Tulsa Opera has presented in its 63-year history.

The auditions, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 22, are for one male and one female performer, capable of looking to be about 18 years old, and who are willing to perform in the nude.

These actors will play the victims of a murder -- the murder for which Joseph de Rocher has been convicted and is to be executed.

"Dead Man Walking" is based on a true story, told in the book by Sister Helen Prejean, who became de Rocher's spiritual advisor in the days before his execution. The book was adapted into a film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, which in turn led to composer Jake Heggie and playwright Terrence McNally transforming the story into an opera.

It has become one of the most successful contemporary operas of the decade, since its premiere in 2000.

And it proves that opera, as an art form, is capable of dealing with stories and ideas beyond tales of tragic lovers, mythological heroes or buffoonish clowns.

"Dead Man Walking" is dark and troubling, and uncompromising in its imagery (the opening murder scene), its language (prisoners on death row rarely converse in high-falutin' words) and in its emotional content. It raises serious questions about the death penalty, about the value of a single life, about the misery of all those whose lives are in some way stained by brutal and senseless crime.

It's also the polar opposite on Tulsa Opera's just-completed production of "The Barber of Seville," a comedy as light and silly as one could imagine.

So Tulsa Opera this season plans on showing its audiences the extremes to which this art form can go.

Those actors interested in auditioning for "Dead Man Walking" can find more information here.


Reader Comments 1 Total
dean (last year)
"So Tulsa Opera this season plans on showing its audiences the extremes to which this art form can go."

So, "Dead Man Walking" is an extreme? You haven't actually seen it, have you?
1 comments displayed


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ARTS

James D. Watts Jr. has lived in Oklahoma for most his life, even though he still has people saying to him, "Don't sound like you're from around these parts." A University of Oklahoma Phi Beta Kappa graduate, Watts has received the Governor Arts Award, Harwelden Award and the National Conference of Christians and Jews Beth Macklin Award for his writing. Before coming to the Tulsa World, Watts worked for the Tulsa Tribune.

Contact him at (918) 581-8478.

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