The St. Louis Premiere of "A Streetcar Named Desire" Opens Tomorrow

Lacy Sauter
Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2014 | All Rights Reserved

Union Avenue Opera continues its 20th Anniversary Season this Friday with the St. Louis Premiere of André Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire running August 1, 2, 8 and 9. This production marks UAO's second foray into contemporary American opera after its critically-acclaimed 2011 production of Dead Man Walking.

Desire is taking on a new rhythm as Tennessee Williams' play sizzles onto the stage. Set against the backdrop of steamy New Orleans, this scintillating Streetcar adds a new level of drama and excitement to Williams' enduring portrait of sex, class and secrets. Southern belle Blanche DuBois moves to her sister's cramped apartment, creating all the wrong kinds of sparks with her brutish brother-in-law Stanley. When dark truths about her past begin to emerge, Blanche's world comes apart at the seams in a spiral of violence and madness.

Bernardo Bermudez
Katherine Giaquinto

Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2014
All Rights Reserved

THE CAST

Several artists make their UAO debut: Soprano Lacy Sauter as Blanche DuBois, Soprano Katherine Giaquinto as Stella Kowalski, Baritone Bernardo Bermudez as Stanley Kowalski, Tenor Anthony Webb as Harold "Mitch" Mitchell, Mezzo-Soprano Johanna Nordhorn as Eunice Hubbell, Tenor Robert Norman as Steve Hubbell and Mezzo-Soprano Natanja Tomich as the Flower Woman.

Also appearing in the production are UAO's Crescendo participant Tenor Jimmy Stevens (singing his first role at UAO) as the Young Collector, Tenor Anthony Heinemann (last seen as Gastone in La Traviata) as the Doctor, Soprano Megan Higgins (last seen in the Traviata ensemble) as the Nurse and actor Josh Saboorizadeh as Pablo Gonzales.

Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2014
All Rights Reserved

THE CREW

Guest Conductor Kostis Protopapas, who last conducted UAO's 2010 production of La Fille du Régiment, leads the orchestra. Stage Director Christopher Limber makes his UAO debut. MK Jacobi serves as Stage Manager with Claire Stark as Assistant Stage Manager. The design team includes Set Designer Kyra Bishop (UAO debut), Lighting Designer Sean Savoie (UAO debut), Costume Designer Teresa Doggett and Production Manager Sean Savoie. Pianist Nancy Mayo serves as repetiteur.

FRIDAY NIGHT LECTURE SERIES

Glen Bauer, Ph.D., Associate Chair of the Webster University Music Department, will give a lecture one hour before each Friday performance (August 1st and 8th at 7:00pm) in the Fellowship Gallery of Union Avenue Christian Church. Lectures are free and open to the general public; no ticket to the performance required. 

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION

Want a chance to eat, drink and schmooze with cast and crew of A Streetcar Named Desire on Opening Night? UAO hosts an Opening Night Reception on Friday, August 1st after the performance at Tavern of Fine Arts. Click here for more information.

Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2014
All Rights Reserved

"STREETCAR" IN THE MEDIA

Steve Potter chats with Lacy Sauter, Katherine Giaquinto and Christopher Limber on a recent episode of Cityscape on St. Louis Public Radio.

Sarah Bryan Miller of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch covers the production, while Judith Newmark of the Post-Dispatch has written a feature on UAO Costume Designer and Actress Teresa Doggett.

Operatic Saint Louis interviews cast members Lacy Sauter, Katherine Giaquinto, Bernardo Bermudez and Anthony Webb as well as stage director Christopher Limber.

Deborah Sharn and Scott Miller of Break a Leg on KDHX interview Scott Schoonover about the 20th Season.

____________________

A Streetcar Named Desire opens tomorrow, August 1st, and runs August 2, 8 and 9 at Union Avenue Opera, 733 N. Union Blvd. Performances begin at 8:00pm. Production sung in English with projected English supertitles. Tickets may be purchased online at www.unionavenueopera.org or by calling 314-361-2881.