Montclair State University

Photo by Stephanie Berger

Keith Phares as Elmer Gantry and Jennifer Rivera as Sharon Falconer.

“Elmer Gantry,” a new American opera with music composed by Robert Aldridge, director of Montclair State’s John J. Cali School of Music and libretto by Herschel Garfein will have its tri-state premiere on January 23 at the Alexander Kasser Theater. The opera will also be performed on January 25, 26 (student cast) and 27.

Based on the 1928 novel of the same name, “Elmer Gantry” takes the theme of fundamentalist religion and molds it into a new opera that walks the line between satire and tragedy. The opera is a co-production of Peak Performances @ Montclair State University and the Nashville Opera, and is made possible in part by funds from the Argosy Foundation and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

Read the “Elmer Gantry” press release here.

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See photos from the production here.

Article Entered Into News System: Tuesday, January 22 2008
Article Last Edited: Tuesday, February 26 2008