PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University’s Opera Workshop Program will perform Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah” as part of the Mom’s Weekend festivities April 18 at 8 p.m. and April 19 at 3 p.m. in Bryan Hall Auditorium.
The production, directed by WSU faculty member Julie Anne Wieck, is based on the story of a young girl who is falsely accused of immoral behavior by the people in her rural Southern community — a reflection of the composer’s reaction to the McCarthy era.
Susannah, played by Jennifer Bryant, and her brother Sam, portrayed by Andrew Mielke, are under the constant scrutiny of the townspeople. The elders of the church lead a crusade against Susannah and are unwittingly assisted in their vendetta by the traveling preacher, the Rev. Olin Blitch, sung by Kristofer Barber, who comes to New Hope Valley for a week of revival meetings and baptisms.
Church elders are played by Brianna Kramer, Rob Dennis, Stephanie Washington-Kuffel, Tim Ackerman, Robyn Grandy, Rob Kuchinski, Julie Silvera and Michael Kirkpatrick. Other cast members include Bart Kryger as Little Bat, Susannah’s friend, and the community members, played by Sarah Reedy, Lacey Hammer, Meghann Herbert, Raina Baker, Allyson Walden, Brenda Divers, Julia Berthiaume, Jennifer Palmason, Rashaleenia Moore, Amy Nelson, Lyndsey Blurton, Alison Schlichting, Sonja Ramirez, Charis Bogen, Ginger Grass, J.J. McLallen, Bryan McComb, Chung-Hun Lee, Andrew Schlichting, Andy Boyan, Chris Geer, Anthony Woody and Bryan Long. The accompanists are Laura Warren and Michelle Mielke.
Tickets for “Susannah” will be on sale beginning today, April 6, through April 10, and April 13-17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of Kruegel Hall. The cost is $2 for students and $5 for general admission. Tickets will also be available at the door.
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