performance images c/o opera philadelphia
Inspired by the life, fame, and philosophy of Andy Warhol, this is a collision of high and low, commercial and the artistic, traditional and the innovative.
A pop opera created in collaboration with Opera Philadelphia, Andy: A Popera premiered in Fall 2015 as part of the 2015 Philadelphia Fringe Festival for a completely sold out run. Selections will be seen at the Seattle Symphony in April 2017.
A musical mélange inspired by the legacy of Andy Warhol, ANDY: A Popera explodes onto the stage — presenting singing soup cans, Marilyns, and a randy banana on stage alongside characters inspired by Warhol Superstars. It’s an artistic collision of cabaret and opera exploring Warhol’s influence on the modern world and what happens when a man becomes a brand?
production information
Kristen Bailey
Lucy Dhegrae
Liz Filios
Sean Lally
Scott McPheeters
John Miles
Opera Philadelphia Chorus
Music by Heath Allen and Dan Visconti
Text by John Jarboe in development with Sean Lally and ensemble
Additional lyrics by Liz Worth
John Jarboe Director
John Jarboe, Sean Lally Lead Writers
Colette Fu Pop-Up Book Design
Rebecca Kanach Costume Design
Sally Ollove Dramaturg/Assistant Director
Daniel Perelstein Sound Design
Toby Pettit Associate Sound Design
Oona Curley Set Design
Mike Inwood Lighting Design
Kelly O. Tallman Development Stage Manager
Melanie Leeds Production Stage Manager
Kate Raines Deviser/Photographer
additional media
IMAGES C/O PLATE 3 PHOTOGRAPHY
Opera Philadelphia to Take On Andy Warhol
NEW YORK TIMES | APRIL 24, 2014 | Allan Kozinn
The company, which described the pieces as a “cabaret-opera hybrid,” is collaborating on the project with the Bearded Ladies, an experimental cabaret troupe. Mr. Allen is the group’s resident composer, and writes in a style closer to jazz than opera.
Andy: A Popera - but Is It Opera?
The Cultural Critic | Steve Cohen
This is a production that Andy Warhol could have designed himself. It’s his sort of flamboyant imagery, presenting odd characters in outrageous costumes. In some ways, it’s even better as it adds dramatic narrative that Warhol’s paintings do not attempt.