Michael McFaden's CITY OF LIGHT Debuts With Pair of Readings 3/30-31
City of Light, a new and original light opera set in the Spiritualist community of Lily Dale, New Yor-written by Michael McFaden, set to the music of Gilbert and Sullivan-will make its bow to the public in two staged readings on March 30 and 31 at Nashville's Global Education Center.
The story follows Molly (played by Stephanie Jones Benton), a young widow, to Lily Dale as she searches for a medium to help her contact her recently deceased husband, Edwin (L.T. Kirk). There she is brought into contact with spirit painters, suffragettes, skeptics, and a psychic researcher, all in her efforts to discover the continuity of life after death.
In addition to Benton and Kirk, others in the 17-member cast include Kay Ayers, Steve Mogck, Chris Mitchell and Susan Dupont. The score is compiled, McFaden explains, from the lesser-known works of Sir Arthur Sullivan and "is rich in forgotten melodies from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "
McFaden supplies the libretto, with lyrics fashioned in the style of Sullivan's famous collaborator, W.S. Gilbert. Musical direction is by Lee Druce.
The readings of City of Light will take place at the Global Education Center, 4822 Charlotte Avenue, at 7:30 p.m. each night.
Seating is limited and is available on a first come first served basis. The readings are free, but a small donation is requested. Please email mmcfaden@aol.com for additional information.
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