Utah Opera to Present THE (R)EVOLUTION OF STEVE JOBS in May

Easily recognizable with its simplistic design and iconic logo, the iPhone-and by extension its inventor-has found its way into more than 1.2 billion pockets and purses around the world. But the mastery behind the device and success of the business is only part of the story. Now, audiences have the chance to pull back the curtain and see the man behind the machine-witnessing not only his successes, but also his flaws, humanity, and the depth of his dreams. In its Salt Lake City premiere-and the Utah Opera's 2022-23 season finale-Mason Bates & Mark Campbell's The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs brings innovation to the operatic stage for five performances at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre this May with a soulful exploration of the iconic figure-Steve Jobs. The opera first premiered in 2017 and this new production-with reimagined sets and staging-was created last year, co-produced by Utah Opera together with The Atlanta Opera, Austin Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Calgary Opera (it has already made its way to the other four companies, receiving rave reviews).

As such a prominent individual, telling the story of Steve Jobs seems nearly insurmountable. However, this Grammy Award-winning opera (awarded Best Opera in 2019) presents his story through a unique lens-focusing on the idea of life's natural cycle as illustrated through the Zen Buddhist "Enso" symbol. The story jumps back and forth in time, rotating between significant historical moments in the life of Steve Jobs-providing the audience with a lens into the personal and professional highs and lows of the famed inventor. From receiving a worktable as a child to meeting his future wife; and from designing a tool to increase communication to lacking the ability to truly connect with loved ones, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs highlights the natural ebb and flow of life. It also reveals Jobs' humanity as, faced with death, he slowly learns from his past experiences and ultimately appreciates the importance of finding simplicity in life and "looking up" from the very devices that he created.

In addition to the unique storytelling, this opera brings new elements to the operatic art form. Composer Mason Bates expanded the orchestra by infusing technology into the score-creating an electro-acoustic sound world not traditionally found in the genre. In fact, Bates not only incorporated digital music, including electric guitar and a synthesizer program designed specifically for this opera, but he also used computer noises such as the familiar upload "ding" within the score. In doing so, Bates expands the very definition of operatic music.

In writing the lyrics, librettist Mark Campbell dedicated himself to avidly researching Steve Jobs in order to represent him as a complex individual rather than the glorified (or vilified) figure presented in the media. Through his research, he even came across the opportunity to connect with an individual who knew Jobs personally and helped inform his depiction of the tech titan. "It's a daunting idea to write about such a person because everyone has their own idea of Steve Jobs," says Campbell. Ultimately, he states, "Steve Jobs was neither a hero nor a villain; he was just human."

Both Mason Bates and Mark Campbell will be in Salt Lake City for opening night on Saturday, May 4, and will host a Q&A in the Capitol Room at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre immediately following the performance.

John Moore makes his Utah Opera debut starring as Jobs and-according to composer Mason Bates-"so vividly creates the lead role that, by the end, you will be half-certain you are witnessing the man himself." Also making their Utah Opera debuts are Wei Wu, playing Jobs' spiritual mentor Kōbun Chino Otogawa; Bille Bruley, cast as business partner Steve Wozniak ("Woz"); and Declan Morrissey, portraying a Young Steve Jobs. Stephen Pace returns to Utah Opera (previously seen as the Minksman in Flight) to play Paul Jobs, the loving father figure to this memorable tech genius.

Utah Opera will welcome back two other familiar faces-Sarah Coit, who portrays the lovely Laurene Powell Jobs (Jobs' wife, who helps lead him to a better version of himself); and Amy Owens, cast as the spunky Chrisann Brennan (the mother of the child that Jobs refused to acknowledge)-both former Utah Opera Resident Artists. As part of their residencies, Coit and Owens traveled throughout the state of Utah and shared music education with students from elementary through high school, performed concerts throughout the state, and regularly appeared in Utah Opera productions. All five current Utah Opera Resident Artists are part of the chorus for this upcoming production (and mezzo-soprano Winona Martin has been cast as the Teacher), showcasing the talent and prestige of the Resident Artist program.

From high-tech visuals that are digitally integrated within each act, to the sheer prowess of the cast members, to the modern music and English libretto, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs brings new vision to opera and challenges traditional perceptions of the genre, appealing to longtime opera lovers and newcomers alike.

In order to give everyone in the community access to the Salt Lake City premiere of this unique production (which has been turning heads ever since it was announced as part of the Utah Opera's 2022-23 season), all tickets are $25 through May 1. For more information, visit UtahOpera.org.

Utah Opera Presents

Mason Bates & Mark Campbell's The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs

Saturday, May 6 / 7:30 PM

Monday, May 8 / 7:00 PM

Wednesday, May 10 / 7:00 PM

Friday, May 12 / 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 14 / 2:00 PM

Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre

(50 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, Utah)

Composed by Mason Bates

Original Stage Direction by Tomer Zvulun

Directed by Rebecca Herman

Conducted by Robert Tweten

Sung in English with English supertitles.

Cast:

Steve Jobs ...................................................John Moore

Laurene Powell Jobs.....................................Sarah Coit

Kobun Chino Otogawa..................................Wei Wu

Paul Jobs..............................................Stephen Pace

Steve Wozniak ("Woz")............................Bille Bruley

Chrisann...............................................Amy Owens

Teacher................................................Winona Martin

Young Steve..........................................Declan Morrissey

Featuring the Utah Symphony and the Utah Opera Chorus

ALL TICKETS ARE $25 THROUGH MAY 1 (50% student and under 30 discounts available)
Online at utahopera.org / By Phone at (801) 533-NOTE (6683)

Prices are subject to change.

Red Carpet Photos: Show Off Your Night at the Opera!

Take a photo on the red carpet at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre at opening night, Saturday, May 4, beginning at 6:30 PM-and tag the Utah Opera on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, @UtahOpera.

Learning Opportunities

• Opening Night Q&A: Join conductor Mason Bates and librettist Mark Campbell for an exclusive Q&A immediately following the opening night performance in the Capitol Room of the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre.
• Opera Talks: One hour before each performance, ticket holders are invited to join Utah Opera Principal Coach Carol Anderson to learn more about the production at a free talk in the Capitol Room of the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre.
• Ghost Light Podcast: Ghost Light hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson (Utah Opera Principal Coach) give you a preview of the upcoming Utah Opera production of Mason Bates and Mark Campbell's "The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs." The Ghost Light podcast is available on all streaming platforms.
• Opera-tunities Night: On Thursday, May 4 at 7 PM, students in grades 7 through 12 are invited to attend Utah Opera's final dress rehearsal at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre. Teachers are invited to make group orders and accompany their students as chaperones. Opera-tunities Night is free for public/charter school students and their teachers, and $5 for private/home school students and their teachers. (Teachers can also receive professional development credit for attending an in-service training at 6:00 PM.) This rehearsal is not open to the general public. Learn more and register at utahopera.org/education/students/.

About Utah Opera

Utah Opera, established by Glade Peterson in 1978, has been part of the Utah community for 40 years and engages audiences through inspiring operatic performances. The opera company presents four annual productions at the historic Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre and regularly partners with other organizations for special presentations. In addition to producing classic works from the operatic repertoire, Utah Opera also emphasizes the importance of contemporary American opera, with notable achievements including the 1996 commissioning and world premiere of David Carlson's Dreamkeepers and the co-commissioning and Western U.S. premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon's The Grapes of Wrath in 2007, presenting the Western U.S. premiere of Jeremy Howard Beck and Stephanie Fleischmann's The Long Walk in 2016, the creation of a new production of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer's Moby-Dick in 2018 that featured a versatile set designed to adapt to a wide range of theater stages, the creation of a new production of Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright's The Little Prince, premiered on the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre stage in January 2019, and the presentation of Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell's Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Silent Night to critical acclaim in January 2020. The co-commission of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs continues this tradition.

Utah Opera operates a full production studio where productions are rehearsed and costumes, props and set pieces are designed, built, stored and rented out to other opera companies around the world. The opera currently has 19 full sets and costumes for 50 full productions in its inventory. Utah Opera also offers a Resident Artist Program, a nationally recognized young artist training program for professional singers and pianists who perform for more than 81,000 students each year free of charge through the organization's education and community engagement activities. The Utah Symphony has performed as part of Utah Opera's productions since the company's founding, and the two organizations merged in 2002.

Utah Opera's current Artistic Director, Christopher McBeth, joined the company in the fall of 2000 and took over primary artistic leadership in 2003. Under his leadership, Utah Opera productions have received acclaim for introducing audiences to the next generation of fine singing actors. Mr. McBeth strives to provide distinguished quality productions that showcase emerging and established artists, celebrate traditional works, and champion the American operatic tradition. For more information, visit utahopera.org/.