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Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago

The Factotum was conceived by Will Liverman and DJ King Rico as a modernized riff on Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, set in a Black barbershop on Chicago’s South Side.

Lyric Opera of Chicago will present the first of two world premieres in its 2022/23 Season with the opening of The Factotum, February 3 - 12, 2023. The new soul opera's sold-out world premiere at Chicago's Harris Theater runs alongside sold-out performances of Hansel and Gretel at the Lyric Opera House for a spectacular weekend of opera.

The Factotum was conceived by Will Liverman and DJ King Rico as a modernized riff on Rossini's The Barber of Seville, set in a Black barbershop on Chicago's South Side. A joyful and original piece all its own, The Factotum redefines everything that opera can be through a genre-bending score that remixes classical singing with gospel, funk, rap, hip-hop, classic barbershop quartet, and R&B.

Co-book writer, director, and dramaturg Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj and conductor Kedrick Armstrong make their Lyric debuts in bringing this powerful tale of community and Black joy to life. The ensemble cast is led by Liverman, Cecilia Violetta López (also in her Lyric debut), and Norman Garrett.

The Factotum runs for five performances only, through February 12. Audiences are invited to experience a new kind of opera in the city that inspired its creation, and which it celebrates.

Photo credit: Gordon Oliver Jr.

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
The company

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
The company

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Will Liverman

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
The company

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Nissi Shalome, Will Liverman

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
DJ King Rico

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Martin Luther Clark

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Norman Garrett, Cecilia Violetta López

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Will Liverman, Di'Aire Wilson

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
The company

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Ron Dukes, Kris Bellvie, Norman Garrett

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
The company

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
The company

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Cecilia Violetta López, Norman Garrett

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of THE FACTOTUM at Lyric Opera of Chicago
The company



Registration For FREE Tickets APIDA ARTS FESTIVAL Begins April 1 Photo
APIDA Arts Festival, Celebrating the Creativity of Asian, Pacific Island and Desi/South Asian Americans in Chicago, in association with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Goodman Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) and Lookingglass Theatre, announces registration for free tickets to the inaugural Festival, May 5 - 7, and paid tickets to the Sunday, May 7 After Party will be available Saturday, April 1 at 12 p.m. at APIDAArts.org. As some events are limited in size, registration is strongly encouraged for these free events. The mission of the APIDA Arts Festival is to amplify and unify Asian, Pacific Island and Desi/South Asian American artists in Chicago by showcasing their work at premier cultural institutions, providing greater representation, equity and opportunity. The APIDA Arts Festival will also be available via streaming on APIDA Arts YouTube channel.

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Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak have announced that to end its 10 season BrightSide Theatre will present what is regarded to be the finest musical ever created…GYPSY!

LONDON ROAD US Premiere to Open at Shattered Globe in April Photo
Shattered Globe Theatre will conclude its 2022-23 season with the U.S. premiere of London Road, an experimental and innovative new musical featuring book and lyrics by Alecky Blythe, music and lyrics by Adam Cork, direction and choreography by Elizabeth Margolius and music direction by Andra Velis Simon.

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About Face Theatre concludes its 28th season with the world premiere of Gender Play, or what you Will by Will Wilhelm and Erin Murray, performing May 4 through June 3, 2023, at The Den Theatre.


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