Evento

The Discord Altar

David has died, succumbing to the ravages that his addictions had wreaked upon his health. A brilliant voice teacher, during his life on the skids, his students were a small group of homeless young people. Now they have gathered to memorialize him. They're joined by one of their number who escaped poverty and went on to achieve a successful career in the mainstream; and also by David's embittered daughter, who considers that he abandoned his family. What impact has the life and work of David had on those gathered here? How will he affect their lives and future?

The libretto for "The Discord Altar" is inspired from interviews with people affected by and/or working within the homeless community. The cast of seven operatically trained singing-actors will present 12 performances that are fully staged and costumed with the musical score newly improvised each night.

Homelessness continues to be an issue facing people of all ages and backgrounds in our communities. This Spring, OperaWorks will launch "The Discord Altar" the first in an on-going series of modern operatic productions. At the conclusion of each performance there will be a Talk-Back session with directors of homeless shelters and advocacy organizations around the greater Los Angeles area.

Talk-Back Schedule:

Friday, April 10 - Los Angeles Mission
Saturday, April 11 - Temple Isaiah
Sunday, April 12 - The Midnight Mission
Friday, April 17 - My Friend's Place
Saturday, April 18 - Los Angeles Youth Network
Sunday, April 19 - Ian Smith, Veteran Advocate
Friday, April 24 - Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission
Saturday, April 25 - Downtown Women's Center
Sunday, April 26 - Wendy Colman Levin, Home For Good
Friday, May 1 - Rock for Vets (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, May 2 - San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission
Sunday, May 3 - LA Family Housing

REVIEWS:
"[The Discord Altar] is quite simply astonishing..."
- Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros, NoHoArtsDistrict.com

"It's not a neat or tidy show, but it is an exciting one. Recommended"
- Neal Weaver, StageRaw.com (Top Ten)

"This improvised opera about the homeless is surprisingly good."
- Deborah Klugman, LA Weekly

"[The Discord Altar] is a powerful performance that holds truth...This show is highly recommended!"
- Rich Borowy, Accessibly Live Off-Line

"Both of us have seen many of these "homeless" type productions and I don't believe either of us has seen one that so poignantly addresses what is truly happening down on Skid Row. ...I am telling people and sharing with them the greatness of what you have produced." - Ivan Klassen, Director of Community Partnerships at the Los Angeles Mission

OperaWorks' Arts for Social Awareness Project (ASAP) is a series of productions created to bring awareness to current social issues through live musical-dramatic productions in intimate theater spaces. Our purpose for these productions is not to moralize, but rather to raise awareness on social issues beyond what we get from the media or political sources. "The Discord Altar" is the first installment of this series, and will premier at the Secret Rose Theater in North Hollywood on April 10, 2015.

This production uses adult language that may not be appropriate for children under 12.

DUE TO THE INTIMATE NATURE OF THIS PRODUCTION THERE WILL BE NO LATE SEATING