Welcome to the Madness
an opera for six solo voices, chorus, and chamber ensemble
- YEAR: 2021 – 2024
- LIBRETTO: Rachel J. Peters
- DURATION: 90 minutes
- COMMISSIONER: Opera Steamboat, Steamboat Springs, CO
- PREMIERE: August 22-25, 2024
WELCOME TO THE MADNESS is a site-specific chamber opera celebrating actress/musician Charlotte Perry and dancer/filmmaker Portia Mansfield and their influence on performing arts throughout the United States as founders of The Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp.
Since 1913, when most of the West was only accessible by horse or train, the Perry-Mansfield Camp has attracted dance and drama students from all over the country, and even internationally. As a Colorado native, I am honored to be commissioned by Opera Steamboat, to celebrate the accomplishments of these two innovative women and to spotlight the enduring impact of the Camp, still operating in its original location near Steamboat Springs.
Remembering these unconventional ladies who loved to practice their crafts in a mountain setting, the opera will be premiered at the Perry-Mansfield Camp grounds. Each scene is based on significant aspects of Perry-Manfield’s history. Characters that are seminal to the development of the Camp appear throughout the opera while a mobile chorus of singers and dancers representing campers throughout the camp’s history leads the audience from space to space. We want the audience to enjoy the Yampa Valley beauty and to experience the opera as living history.
August 22-25, 2024 - Production Credits
Premiere Commissioned by Opera Steamboat
Presenting Partner:
Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp
Commission support provided by: CSFF and Charlotte Cannon
CREATIVE TEAM
Composer – Leanna Kirchoff
Librettist – Rachel J. Peters
Music Director & Conductor – Mila Henry
Director – Amanda Berg-Wilson
Choreographer – Chris Compton
Chorus Master – Jeffrey McEvoy
CAST
Charlotte Perry – Shannon Delijani
Portia Mansfield – Cree Carrico
Marjorie Perry – Michelle Blauman
Margery Mansfield – Sabina Balsamo
Louis Horst – Jeffrey McEvoy
America Marshall – La’Shelle Allen
José Limón (Dancer) – Sebastian Martinez
Harriette Anne Gray (Dancer) – Piper Northburg
Horse Riders – Naomi Rae Barker & Mary Jackson Feszt
Opera Steamboat Emerging Artists
as
THE MARJORIE MARGERY CHORUS
Miguel Á. Ortega Bañales
Lauren Baumgarner
Sarah Cain
Elijah English
John Haney
Thomas Litchev
Mason O’Brien
Monica Talavera
OPERA STEAMBOAT YOUTH OPERA MEMBERS
Presley Benton
Felicity Charoenying
Nora Garey
Amelia Morris
Jack Stielow
Chorusmaster, Carly Gilliland
Chorus Administrator, Thea Wigglesworth
STEAMBOAT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PLAYERS
Flutes – Alaunde Copley-Woods
Clarinets – Jason Olney
Violin – Désirée Suàrez Ward
Cello – Becky Kutz Osterberg
Guitar – Adam Petty
Percussion – Daniel Kent
Orchestra Manager – Tara Cowherd
MUSIC STAFF
Piano & Keyboard Alaina de Bellevue
Additional Pianist Mario Barbosa
PRODUCTION TEAM
General Director & CEO – Julie Maykowski
Dramaturg – Dagny McKinley
Lighting & Projection Coordinator – Nick LaGorga & Julie Maykowski
Props Coordinator – Jon Ringbom & Julie Maykowski
Costume Designer – Susan Dudley
Hair & Make-up – Liz Galvan
Stage Manager – Beatrice Feldbush
Video Production – superdustfilms.com
RESEARCH SUPPORT
Tread of Pioneers Museum
Denver Public Library
History of Colorado Museum
New York Public Library