Midwest New Musicals to Present EVE Concert Reading, 2/18

Midwest New Musicals continues Words and Music, a concert reading series of original musicals, with EVE, a contemporary opera in one act in the middle of the night, music by Philip Seward, libretto by Joan Mazzonelli and Philip Seward. The reading is on Monday, February 18, at 7:30 pm, at the Light Opera Works Second Stage, 1420 Maple (at Lake) in Evanston. Tickets are $15, available at Light Opera Works box office: (847) 920-5360, or at the door.

EVE is a contemporary opera that takes place in one act in the middle of the night. Eve receives flowers, champagne and a marriage proposal! A dream come true -- or is it? Eve spends a fitful night wondering whether to say yes or no to the most important question of her life, and receives advice from some unlikely nocturnal sources.

EVE is directed by Denise Blank. The cast features Kari Sorenson, Karyn Davidowicz, Theresa Enright and Susan Smentek. Stage manager is Brock Alter, sound operator is Daniel Carlyon. Artistic producer is Kyle A. Dougan. Midwest New Musicals is lead by workshop director John Sparks.

Philip Seward (music and libretto) has written musicals, operas and concert works. In 2013 his opera, How To Date A Coloratura, was named a finalist in the National Opera Association Chamber Opera competition. His musical Hans Brinker received an After Dark Award and several Jeff citations. Les Dames à trois...et piano, a Richard Rodgers Award finalist, played New York, Chicago and Edinburgh, Scotland; his operatic farce High Fidelity played Merkin Hall in New York City and the Chicago Humanities Festival; his opera for young audiences, Stone Soup, A Noteworthy Tale, and African Stories, commissioned by Lyric Opera of Chicago, premiered in Chicago and were subsequently produced by companies in several states. His concert music has premiered on classical station WFMT with the Lira Ensemble of Chicago and been performed in Chicago venues by CUBE, Mostly Music, Bella Voce, and other companies. His choral music is published through Edition Music Contact.

Joan Mazzonelli (libretto) has produced, directed, dramaturged and designed original musicals, plays and operas for Midwest New Musicals and Theatre Building Chicago, the Academy of New Musical Theatre in Los Angeles, and in New York City for The Opera Shop at the Vineyard Theatre, On Stage Productions, the Great Traveling Theatre of Oklahoma and the National Shakespeare Company. Other pieces written for the theater include Bottom's Dream (with James L. Kurtz), All in the Laundry (with FrEd Rogers of MR. Rogers Neighborhood), Dorabella's Daughters and The Passion of John (both with Philip Seward). She is the producer for Midwest New Musicals, serves on the boards of City Lit Theater and Griffin Theatre and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. Joan previously held the positions of artistic and program director at the Athenaeum Theatre and executive director for Theatre Building Chicago.

Midwest New Musicals is a unique forum for the creation of new musicals. Lyricists, book writers and composers create and discuss their work in monthly seminars and public performances. A resident arm of Light Opera Works, Chicago's specialists in operetta and musical theater, Midwest New Musicals expands Light Opera Works' programming and service to the field by providing an outlet for writers and for new works of musical theater. More information at www.midwestnewmusicals.org.