Bum Phillips (opera)
| Bum Phillips | |
|---|---|
| Opera by Peter Stopschinski | |
| Librettist | Kirk Lynn |
| Language | English |
| Based on |
Bum Phillips: Coach, Cowboy, Christian by Bum Phillips |
| Premiere |
15 March 2014 La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, New York |
Bum Phillips is an opera in two acts by American composer Peter Stopschinski. Kirk Lynn wrote the English language libretto based on Bum Phillips' memoirs Bum Phillips: Coach, Cowboy, Christian. The opera was conceived by theater director Luke Leonard and commissioned by Monk Parrots, Inc. as described in a 2014 Sports on Earth article titled "A Night at the Bum Phillips Opera".[1]
Performance history
February 2013 Workshop Performance of Act I produced by Post Theatre Company at Long Island University-Post and La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.
March 15–30, 2014 World Premiere in The Ellen Stewart Theatre at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York. The performance was attended by former NFL players and Houston Oilers, Dan Pastorini and Lawrence Harris, and Bum Phillips’ son and NFL coach, Wade Phillips. It was conducted by Peter Stopschinski, performed by American Modern Ensemble, and directed and designed by Luke Leonard. Dan Pastorini reacted, "Bum Phillips and opera don't belong in the same sentence...And I sat there and I watched this thing unfold for two hours, and at the end of it I had tears coming down my cheeks," and Wade Phillips responded, "It certainly meant a lot to us. Meant a lot to me...Not many people get a tribute to them in any way and this opera did it for us."[2]
September 24, 2015 Benefit Performance produced by Dan Pastorini Charity at The Stafford Centre in Stafford, Texas. The performance was attended by legendary NFL players Earl Campbell, Dan Pastorini, Mike Barber, Mike Renfro, Billy Johnson (gridiron football), Ken Burrough, Robert Brazile, and others.[3]
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 15 March 2014 (conductor: Peter Stopschinski) |
|---|---|---|
| Bum Phillips | baritone | Gary Ramsey |
| Debbie Phillips | mezzo-soprano | Alison Bolshoi |
| Mom | soprano | Anna Noggle |
| Clara Lynn (Adult) | soprano | Chelsea Burris |
| Three TV Announcers: Color 1, Play by Play, Color 2 | 1 soprano, 1 mezzo-soprano, 1 tenor | Jessie Dean, Briana Hunter, Victor Khodadad |
| Daughter | soprano | Megan Lalley |
| Bud Adams/Dad | bass-baritone | John Smiley |
| Earl Campbell | bass | Anlami Shaw |
| Gifford Nielsen | tenor | Hunter Frederick |
| Mike Barber | tenor | Patrick Mulryan |
| Clara Lynn (Child) | alto | Gates Leonard |
| Dan Pastorini/Mike Renfro | actor | Joey LePage |
| Ken Burrough | actor | Emmanuel Elpenord |
| Ensemble/Chorus: Townspeople of Orange, Texas, Phillips women, referee, Oilers fans, Derrick Doll, prisoners, Jesus | ||
Instrumentation
The work is scored for one violin, one bass, two French horns, one drummer, percussion, and two pianos (one Fender Rhodes).
External links
- Bum Phillips Opera Official site
- NFL Films Presents, Show: #7
- HowlRound on YouTube: Bum Phillips All-American Opera World Premiere
References
- ↑ Tanier, Mike. "A Night at the Bum Phillips Opera". Sports on Earth. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
- ↑ Ward, Dave. "Opera about former Oilers coach Bum Phillips' life comes to Houston". ABC13. ABC 13 Eyewitness News. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
- ↑ Bechtel, Mark. "Bum Rush: The Fat Lady Sings About an Oilers Icon". SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 3 August 2017.