The True (Not Exactly True) Story of Thanksgiving
An original (not totally original) comic opera by Mark Landson.
Four Day Weekend Theater Dallas
8pm in East Dallas
$30
5601 Sears St, Dallas TX 75206 | map | web
The show is sold out, but due to no-shows, there will be a stand-by list that will likely get in. Put your name on it!
Four Day Weekend Theater Fort Worth
3pm in Sundance Square
$30
312 Houston St., Fort Worth TX 76102 | map | web
Four Day Weekend Theater Dallas
8pm in East Dallas
$30
5601 Sears St, Dallas TX 75206 | map | web
Open Classical presents an original comic opera by Mark Landson telling the real story of Thanksgiving (sort of) as told by changing the words of popular classical music masterpieces! Imagine if Monty Python had written an opera about Thanksgiving and had high quality professional opera singers do it. Well, that’s this show.
Robin Coffelt of TheaterJones said, “I laughed throughout the entire production and learned something about history besides.”
The show pilfers hit after hit from the opera and chorus repertoire, like Verdi’s Anvil Chorus, Handel’s Messiah, and Mozart’s Don Giovanni. The high quality professional cast are all veterans of opera companies around the US, including the Dallas and Fort Worth operas.
It will definitely be the most fun you've ever had at the opera, and most definitely the most you'll have ever laughed attending one!
Cast:
Gov. John Carver, tenor - Duke Anderson
Rev. William Brewster, bass/baritone - Travis McGuire
Squanto, baritone - Christian Teague
Chief Massasoit, bass/baritone - Eric Lara
Priscilla Mullins, soprano - Alissa Roca
Catherine Carver, coloratura soprano - Nicole Wallace
Mary Brewster, lyric soprano - Julianna Espinosa
Massasoit’s wife, mezzo - Robin Willis
William Mullins - Earl Browning III
Violin - Mark Landson
Violin - Nikki Naghavi
Piano - Thiago Nascimento
Clarinet - Brent Buemi
Bassoon - Janelle Ott
Written and Directed by Mark Landson
Stage Manager: Patricia Yakesch
Lighting: Troy Grant
Costumes: Patricia Yakesch
1. The Pilgrims suffer persecution
“Now we know how Tom Cruise feels!”
Sung to Carl Orff’s "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana
ALL CAST - CHORUS
2. Brewster’s House
Spoken dialogue
REV BREWSTER AND MARY BREWSTER
3. Rev Brewster convinces the Congregation
“Wouldn't you all love to go on a cruise and sit snug by the fire for a Cape Cod winter?”
Sung to Giuseppe Verdi’s "Anvil Chorus" from Il Trovatore
REV BREWSTER + ALL CAST CHORUS
4. Carver House
Spoken Dialogue
REV BREWSTER, JOHN CARVER, CATHERINE CARVER
5. The Pilgrims arrive in the New World
“Behold this rock will be a tourist site!”
Sung to GF Handel’s "Rejoice Greatly" from the Messiah
CATHERINE CARVER, PRISCILLA MULLINS, JOHN CARVER
INTERMISSION
6. On Ship, Mayflower Compact
Spoken Dialogue
ALL MEN + WM MULLINS
7. Pilgrims suffer through The Starving Time
“Someone please bring me a Wendy's bacon double cheese”
Sung to Purcell’s “When I am Laid in Earth”
MARY BREWSTER
8. Squanto teaches the Pilgrims how to plant corn
“Miss, couldn't help but notice...”
Sung to Mozart’s "La ci darem la mano" from Don Giovanni
SQUANTO, PRISCILLA MULLINS
9. Treaty between the Wampanoag Indians and the Pilgrims
“Wait, you said you thought we’d give you WHAT?”
Sung to Georges Bizet’s Pearl Fishers duet
ALL MEN
10. Squanto’s Story
“God works in such mysterious ways!”
Sung to Delibes Flower Duet
ALL WOMEN
11. The hunt for the perfect drumstick lands a turkey in hot water
Rondo alla Turkey, Turkey in the Straw
ALL MEN
12. Pilgrims and Indians celebrate Thanksgiving dinner
“Nothing beats cooking a turkey to celebrate!”
Sung to Rossini’s "Largo al factotum" from The Barber of Seville
ALL MEN
13. Friendship Chorus Finale
“Rise up - lift your spirits as high as your cup!”
Sung to Verdi’s Brindisi Chorus from La Traviata
ALL CAST
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