The Colorado-born rock opera "Magdalene, Woman of Light" makes its World Premiere October 2nd at The New Denver Civic Theatre (721 Santa Fe Drive). Co-written by Susan Griffin and Michele Wagner, with composition and orchestration by Kama Devi, "Magdalene, Woman of Light" weaves the story of the life of Mary Magdalene, from her birth in Egypt and early training as a high priestess, to the search for the beloved, Jesus. It continues with his elevation of her as the first of his Apostles, the one he entrusts with carrying on his legacy, and the challenge this causes between Magdalene and the Apostle Peter. Through music and dance, the story tells of the transforming power of Magdalene and Jesus' love, the effect it had on them, on those around them and eventually on all those who would hear their call over the next 2,000 years.
Colorado-based Susan Griffin and Michele Wagner began writing the piece in 2000 and co-produced a preview of it in 2005 with composer Kama Devi for the Boulder International Fringe Festival. In November 2007, a staged reading of the completed opera was performed at the Boulder Dinner Theatre for an invited audience of three hundred.
This full-scale production (mounted by MM Productions) is directed by Wagner with musical direction by Kama Devi. The cast features recent Boulder arrival Marika Reisberg as Magdalene, acclaimed vocalist Natalie Oliver-Atherton (Andrea Devereaux in the Broadway production of "Once On This Island") as Mother Wisdom, and Steven J. Burge ("Dog Sees God", "Contrived Ending") as Peter.Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 5 p.m. through October 19th. Evening Performances: $39.50, Matinee Performances: $34.50. Tickets are available at 303-309-3773, www.DenverCivic.com, and via TicketsWest at King Soopers stores or 866-464-2626. Discounts are available to groups of 15 or more at 303-955-7995. Show info: www.magdalenewomanoflight.com
