New Expanded Staggerwing Takes Off
“Opportunity on the wire! Glad news, line one!”
As I’ve discussed more than once before, Lisa DeSpain and I have been revising Staggerwing consistently since its 2021 premiere with Opera Kansas. Last year, we enjoyed collaborating with the faculties and singers during workshops at Vanderbilt Opera Lab and Brigham Young University. Much like the early Beechcraft experiments, there was always more to consider. Further research (which I can do forever, of course) revealed even more to these characters and situations, deepening our understanding and bringing the “why” of the opera into sharper focus. Plus, a new character, Herb Thaden (husband of Louise) now shares some of the spotlight. We are beyond exhausted, but we have officially turned in what we believe is the final product. Never say “final,” I know, but it will be in print and in public, and 19 drafts of a libretto are quite enough, thanks!
So what happens next? The work goes to publication with E.C. Schirmer, the third of our operas available to license there. (Men I’m Not Married To is also underway with ECS and will be available soon.) And our new Staggerwing begins a quasi-cross-country flight of its own this fall!
First stop is, unsurprisingly, Vanderbilt University on October 3rd and 4th. Ticket sales will be ready soon; you can watch this space for more information. And it’s a bit of a shlep, but Staggerwing superfans can make a pilgrimage from Nashville to the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma with exhibits including the actual Bendix Trophy Louise and Blanche won!
In the spring, another new production happens at Southern Oregon University Lyric Theatre! Save the dates for April 4th-6th and keep your eyes here as details develop.
And there will be a third, especially special production near and dear to our hearts after that one. Announcement on that one coming soon!
We are proud and happy that these schools are keeping Staggerwing aloft. And if anyone wants to join the new sort-of-transcontinental journey, feel free to join the itinerary!
