Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

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



About Face Theatre Presents World Premiere of GENDER PLAY Photo
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.

Tickets on Sale for Porchlights ICONS GALA Honoring Ben Vereen and Paul Lisnek Photo
Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre announced last night at Chicago Sings Broadway Pop that the 2023 ICONS Gala, Porchlight’s signature fundraising event, will be held Friday, Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago at Water Tower Place, 160 E. Pearson St.

Third Eye Announces Tenth And Final Season With Gian Carlo Menottis THE CONSUL Photo
Celebrating their 10th and final season, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble harkens back to their roots with a stirring and timely performance of Gian Carlo Menotti's The Consul. 

Mandala Arts Presents PASSAGES OF DANCE & MUSIC: ASIAN CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE, May&nb Photo
​​​​​​​Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, which connects audiences and students with the vibrancy, flavors, and colors of the performing arts traditions of South Asia, presents “Passages of Dance & Music: Asian Choreographers Showcase,” Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m. at the Visceral Dance Center, 3121 N. Rockwell, Chicago.


More Hot Stories For You


Third Eye Announces Tenth And Final Season With Gian Carlo Menotti's THE CONSULThird Eye Announces Tenth And Final Season With Gian Carlo Menotti's THE CONSUL
March 28, 2023

Celebrating their 10th and final season, Third Eye Theatre Ensemble harkens back to their roots with a stirring and timely performance of Gian Carlo Menotti's The Consul. 

Mandala Arts Presents PASSAGES OF DANCE & MUSIC: ASIAN CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE, May 7 At Visceral Dance CenterMandala Arts Presents PASSAGES OF DANCE & MUSIC: ASIAN CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE, May 7 At Visceral Dance Center
March 28, 2023

​​​​​​​Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, which connects audiences and students with the vibrancy, flavors, and colors of the performing arts traditions of South Asia, presents “Passages of Dance & Music: Asian Choreographers Showcase,” Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m. at the Visceral Dance Center, 3121 N. Rockwell, Chicago.

Theaster Gates' Rebuild Foundation To Open Miyagi Records Store In Chicago's South SideTheaster Gates' Rebuild Foundation To Open Miyagi Records Store In Chicago's South Side
March 28, 2023

​​​​​​​Rebuild Foundation––the platform for art, cultural development, and neighborhood transformation founded by artist and social innovator Theaster Gates––announced that Chicago-based record shop Miyagi Records will open in April on the Arts Block, a vibrant collection of cultural and commercial spaces in Chicago's Washington Park neighborhood.

Comedian Moshe Kasher to Perform at The Den Theatre in JuneComedian Moshe Kasher to Perform at The Den Theatre in June
March 28, 2023

The Den Theatre will present comedian Moshe Kasher performing two stand-up shows June 16 & 17, 2023 on The Heath Mainstage.

THE LINCOLNS OF SPRINGFIELD Comes to Springfield Ahead of Potential New York RunTHE LINCOLNS OF SPRINGFIELD Comes to Springfield Ahead of Potential New York Run
March 28, 2023

Springfield, IL – historically significant as the State Capitol AND the place Abraham Lincoln called home from 1837-1861- when he began his tenure in The White House as one of the most lauded presidents in history-will serve as host for a joyous and riveting new musical love story.