Gonzo Opera is bringing a wild and crazy courtroom comedy to FUSION | The Cell Jan. 31 through Feb. 2. Written by Emmy-award-winning composer Daniel Steven Crafts and librettist Janice Leber, #trialbytext is an hour-long riot filled with judiciary drama, internet clout-chasing and, of course, singing.
“It’s about a young girl suing her mother for bad parenting because all she did was give her a tablet,” Crafts says. “All she knows about the world is what she knows from her table.”
Featuring baritone Thomas Monroe (The Judge), lyric coloratura soprano Hannah Stephens (The Plaintiff), mezzo/soprano Esther Moses (The Defendant), Thomas Griego (Plaintiff’s Attorney), Santiago Alfonzo Meza (The Defense Attorney), Megan Snow (clarinet), and Scott Jacobsen (keyboard), #trialbytext aims to entertain crowds whether they love opera or hate it.
Gonzo Opera’s goal is to breathe new life into an art form dangerously close to becoming fossilized by using humor, modern themes and excellent singing. In October Gonzo Opera performed The Other Side of the Veil at FUSION, which was well received by all. They hope to repeat the magic this month by bringing genuine opera with a modern spin and nontraditional characters to Albuquerque.
“It’s not for the old, gray-haired, traditional opera audience — although we’re very happy to have them come. It’s really for a younger audience, and they’ll really appreciate this because there are all these references to stuff you do online. It’s all about social media,” Crafts says.
Gonzo Opera presents: #trialbytext
Jan. 31, 7 p.m.
Feb. 1 and 2, 2 p.m.
FUSION | The Cell
700 – 708 First St. NW
$20 or $10 for students