Feature: COOPERSTOWN – A JAZZ OPERA IN 9 INNINGS! at Windmill Library Theatre

By: Sep. 25, 2019
Feature: COOPERSTOWN – A JAZZ OPERA IN 9 INNINGS! at Windmill Library Theatre
From left: Athena Mertes, Lisa Elliott, and Travis Lewis

What do baseball, jazz, and opera have in common? It all comes together in Cooperstown-A Jazz Opera in 9 Innings! to be performed by Opera Las Vegas to open its season at the Windmill Library Theatre on Sept. 27 and Sept. 28.

"Take Me Out To The Ballgame," written in 1908, is still sung at baseball fields all over the country today. Jazz is a musical genre with its roots in America. Composer Sasha Matson has combined the two American traditions in a showcase featuring five solo singers and a jazz quintet with a 1950s influence. The show uses the game of baseball as an analogy of society and its members. For those who can remember the music of the stadium organ, Matson has scored that sound infusing it with the jazz stylings of the great Miles Davis.

Matson actually lives in Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, with each scene (inning) preceded by a jazz ensemble that sets up the tone.

"Songs are sung with proper operatic voices with a few jazz licks and very conversational and emotional," explains Jim Sohre, general director of Opera Las Vegas. "All of the operatic traditions are included with a love triangle or even quadrangle. There is a love interest and professional rivalries with the catcher jealous of the famous star pitcher. There is also a secret that propels the opera."

Jack Gaughan, from the Musicians' Union, was part of the panel selecting its seasonal program and introduced everyone in the company to Cooperstown. The composer was thrilled to have his work performed and will be in attendance on opening night.

The Windmill Library Theatre is one of the newest theaters build in the Las Vegas Clark County Library District seating 300 seats and excellent acoustics.

Opera Las Vegas celebrates 20 years as a nonprofit professional opera company featuring full-scale productions and outreach programs. The first professional performance was held in 2005 in a furniture storage warehouse. The owners, big supporters of the company, transformed part of the facility into a theatre with a stage, tables for dinner, an incredible sound system, and professional lighting. The audience was filled with anticipation for that first performance that took opera to new heights. Since then, Opera Las Vegas continues to produce high-quality opera performances with MET singers as guests in a variety of venues including The Smith Center, University of Nevada Las Vegas, libraries, mansions, concert halls, retirement communities, veteran's facilities, shopping malls, community centers, churches, and parks. Opera Las Vegas offers a number of performances in its season as well as outreach programs and other events.

Cooperstown - A Jazz Opera in 9 Innings! will be performed by Opera Las Vegas to begin its season at the Windmill Library Theatre. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 and 2 p.m. on Sept. 28. Click here to purchase tickets.

BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Las Vegas

1
Feature: Travis Cloer brings his 10th CHRISTMAS AT MY PLACE at Suncoast Hotel And Casino Photo
Feature: Travis Cloer brings his 10th CHRISTMAS AT MY PLACE at Suncoast Hotel And Casino

The holidays are a time of traditions. One of them is Broadway veteran and Las Vegas entertainer Travis Cloer, who is celebrating his 10th holiday spectacular, “Christmas At My Place,” at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino on Dec. 4.

2
Phish to Play Sphere in Las Vegas Photo
Phish to Play Sphere in Las Vegas

Phish has never played the same show twice. Each of Phish’s shows at Sphere will feature completely unique setlists AND visuals, making every show a truly once-in-a-lifetime audio-visual experience. These shows mark the beginning of a new relationship between Phish and Sphere, but they will be the only shows Phish will perform at the venue in 2024.

3
Open-Door Playhouse Debuts THE FINAL BATTLE On November 30 Photo
Open-Door Playhouse Debuts THE FINAL BATTLE On November 30

Open-Door Playhouse continues to present short plays in podcast form. Its upcoming play The Final Battle will debut on November 30, 2023 online.

4
The Iconic Sand Dollar Lounge Announces Pizza Pop-Ups For A Good Cause At Miracle On Sprin Photo
The Iconic Sand Dollar Lounge Announces Pizza Pop-Ups For A Good Cause At Miracle On Spring Mountain

The iconic Sand Dollar Lounge has announced the return of their annual Miracle on Spring Mountain Pizza Pop-Ups for a good cause. Held Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. throughout December, prominent local chefs will take over The Sand Dollar Lounge's pizza kitchen to craft their original pizza recipes, created specifically for Miracle on Spring Mountain.

Next On Stage


Mean Girls (Non-Equity) in Las Vegas Mean Girls (Non-Equity)
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts (3/12-3/17)
To Kill a Mockingbird in Las Vegas To Kill a Mockingbird
Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts (6/18-6/23)
All Motown in Las Vegas All Motown
Modern Showroom Alexis Park Resort Hotel (3/03-12/31)
Mondays Dark 10-Year Anniversary in Las Vegas Mondays Dark 10-Year Anniversary
Palms Casino Resort (12/11-12/11)
Hyprov in Las Vegas Hyprov
Harrah's Showroom (6/10-2/01)PHOTOS VIDEOS
Cinderella Under the Mistletoe - World Premiere production in Las Vegas Cinderella Under the Mistletoe - World Premiere production
Judy Bayley Theatre (11/24-12/10)
The Final Battle in Las Vegas The Final Battle
Open-Door Playhouse (11/30-12/30)
SHORTS: Festival of Short Plays in Las Vegas SHORTS: Festival of Short Plays
Black Box Theatre at UNLV (2/09-2/25)
Don Barnhart - Sticks 'n Stones in Las Vegas Don Barnhart - Sticks 'n Stones
Aloha Ha Comedy Club (10/27-12/31)PHOTOS VIDEOS
Come From Away (Non-Equity) in Las Vegas Come From Away (Non-Equity)
Smith Center For Performing Arts (5/14-5/19)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You