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Home Charlie Parker's Yardbird

Charlie Parker’s Yardbird

In-Theatre Performance

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In-Theatre Availability

Location Date and Time
Schuster Center October 7, 2022 7:30 pm
Schuster Center October 9, 2022 2:30 pm

About the Opera

While the body of tormented bebop saxophonist Charlie “Yardbird” Parker lies unidentified in a New York City morgue, his spirit travels back to the famed NYC jazz club Birdland, where he struggles to complete his final masterpiece. Fusing classical and jazz styles into an intriguing mix, Charlie Parker’s Yardbird is a powerful expedition into the mind, heart, and personal purgatory of the jazz genius.

Program

Charlie Parker’s Yardbird (1 hour and 45 minutes)

Music by Daniel Schnyder
Libretto by Bridgette A. Wimberly
Performed in English with English supertitles

This program does not include an intermission. Recommended for ages 12 and up with parental discretion; includes references to drug use.

Cast

Charlie Parker……………Martin Bakari, tenor*

Addie Parker……………Angela Brown, soprano

Chan Parker……………Lauren Nash Silberstein, soprano*

Doris Parker……………Sarah Stembel, soprano*

Rebecca Parker……………Chrystal E. Williams, mezzo-soprano*

Dizzy Gillespie……………Sankara Harouna, bass*

Nica……………Naomi Brigell, mezzo-soprano*

Dancer……………Du’Bois A’Keen*

Artistic Team

Clinton Smith, Guest Conductor

Fenlon Lamb, Stage Director

Du’Bois A’Keen, Associate Stage Director/Choreographer*

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director

*Denotes Dayton Opera Debut

Supers

Charles Cram
Connor D. Elgoff
Julio Soto
Aaron Washington*
Dave Zelmon

Production Team

Kathleen Stakenas, Stage Manager*
Sarah J. Renzoni, Assistant Stage Manager*
Pamela Matheson Jones, Assistant Stage Manager
John Rensel, Resident Lighting Designer
Greg Emetaz, Projection Designer
Mark Halpin, Scenic Designer
Greg Emetaz, Projection Designer
CeCe Sickler, Costume Designer
Thomas Venditelli, Wigs/Makeup Designer
Cass Brake, Wigs/Makeup Designer
Artega Wright, Surtitle Caller*
John Lavarnway, Props Coordinator
Lyn Baudendistel, Costume Coordinator
Arizona Opera, Sets, Projections, and Properties
Arizona Opera, Costumes
Nanyi Qiang, Rehearsal Accompanist/Coach*

Opera Preview

About Yardbird

Coffee with Kathleen