On Friday, February 27, 2015 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 3:00 pm, “Dead Man Walking” opens at the Mead Theatre of the Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio.
Before this critically acclaimed and thought-provoking opera by contemporary composer Jake Heggie was an opera, it was a highly lauded, award-winning movie starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, however before it was a movie, it was a bestselling book by Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., member of the Congregation of St. Joseph. Even before that, it was a stormy spiritual journey involving a Catholic nun, a murderer on death row, the victims of his unthinkable actions and society at large.
For Sister Helen and many others, it is a journey that continues today; in fact, the debate surrounding the opera’s main theme is in the news in Ohio and elsewhere in the nation and speaks to our collective views on justice, compassion, the American legal system, and our role as citizens.
Nevertheless, Sister Prejean was simply following her mission: to provide spiritual help to a prisoner. But her own deeper realization came about as she was confronted with the actuality of how the prisoner’s crime tore families asunder. She also found herself becoming painfully aware of the legal and societal process that put people on death row.
Goers will hear stunning music by Jake Heggie and a magnificent libretto by Terrence McNally as well as assured this opera taps into one of the core issues of our day and the whirlwind of emotions that surrounds it, regardless if you thought about the death penalty or not. Again be assured, this opera is sure to open a path to your heart, soul and mind.
For tickets, call 937.228.3630.