honoluluadvertiser.com
Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
'Susannah' reflects turbulence of 1950s | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper
Posted on: Friday, February 11, 2005

'Susannah' reflects turbulence of 1950s

The Hawaii Opera Theatre is staging the opera "Susannah" beginning tonight. Mark McCrory plays the sleazy evangelist who seduces Susannah.

Photos by Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Susannah and secret admirer Little Bat (Thomas Trotter). The townsfolk discuss having seen Susannah bathing naked in the creek.

Advertiser Staff

Susannah Polk (Kelly Cae Hogan), not wanting to face her accusers at church, pleads with her brother Sam (Jon Garrison).

'Susannah'

A Hawaii Opera Theatre production

8 p.m. today, 4 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Blaisdell Concert Hall

$29, $42, $58, $75, $85, $100

596-7858
"Susannah," an American opera by Carlisle Floyd, is the second offering of the Hawaii Opera Theatre season, beginning tonight at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. It's based on the biblical story of Susannah and the elders. In rural Tennessee, the townspeople have turned against the young, attractive Susannah. An itinerant preacher seduces her, leading to tragedy.

The opera, which made its New York debut in 1956, was written in response to the political turbulence and the red-baiting of McCarthyism.

"Susannah" marks the HOT directorial debut of Karen Tiller, the company's executive director.

The cast includes Kelly Cae Hogan as Susannah, Mark McCrory as Olin Blitch, Jon Garrison as Sam, Thomas Trotter as Little Bat, Patrick McNichols as Elder McLean, Dorothy Byrne as Mrs. McLean, Erik Haines as Elder Gleaton, Mary Chesnut Hicks as Mrs. Gleaton, John Mount as Elder Ott, Louise South as Mrs. Ott, Willy Falk as Elder Hayes.
Advertisement
Advertisement