"Exceptional...Together at LA Opera, composers shine anew" - Mark Swed, LA Times
LOVE IS THEIR REFUGE - Highway 1, USA
A Historic LA Premiere, Highway 1, USA by trailblazer William Grant Still, hailed as “the Dean of African-American Composers.” Norman Garrett and Nicole Heaston star as a hardworking Black couple determined to build a better life, whose years of sacrifice turn out to be misguided. Chaz'men Williams-Ali portrays the ne'er-do-well brother who squanders every opportunity granted to him. Conducted by James Conlon, this new staging (only the second-ever professional production of this heartwarming opera) is helmed by visionary director Kaneza Schaal and production designer Christopher Myers, reuniting after their work on our stunning 2022 production of Omar.
LOVE IS HIS RUIN - The Dwarf
An Impossible Romance, a gothic tale of one-sided love in a decadent Spanish court. Oscar Wilde’s fable is brought to life through a lush and romantic score conducted by James Conlon. Tenor Rodrick Dixon stars in the title role opposite audience favorites Erica Petrocelli and Kristinn Sigmundsson as we present Alexander Zemlinsky’s The Dwarf. Last staged at LA Opera in 2008 to critical acclaim, Tony-winning director Darko Tresnjak conjures a royally opulent production, with costumes from fellow Tony Award winner Linda Cho.
The Dwarf's Autobiographical Origins: Unrequited love is an experience that most of us have gone through. The Dwarf was inspired by Zemlinsky's relationship with a fellow composer.. Read More
SPECIAL EVENT - Post Show Talk with James Conlon and Stephen Fry - Sunday, March 17
Following the March 17 matinee performance join Maestro James Conlon and writer, actor, comedian Stephen Fry on the 2nd floor of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Admission to the post-show talk is included with a ticket to the performance.
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A scene from "Highway 1, USA"
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Nicole Heaston as Mary and Norman Garrett as Bob
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Nicole Heaston as Mary and Norman Garrett in Bob
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Nicole Heaston as Mary and Norman Garrett as Bob
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Chaz'men Williams-Ali as Nate
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Deborah Nansteel as Aunt Lou and Nicole Heaston as Mary
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Nicole Heaston as Mary
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L to R: Deborah Nansteel (Aunt Lou), Nicole Heaston (Mary), Norman Garrett (Bob), Chaz'men Williams-Ali (Nate), Alan Williams (Sheriff)
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Chaz'men Williams-Ali as Nate in "Highway 1, USA"
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A scene from "Highway 1, USA"
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Nicole Heaston as Mary and Norman Garrett as Bob in "Highway 1, USA"
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Cheyanne Williams (Hare) and Kiara Benn (Fox) in "Highway 1, USA"
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Nicole Heaston as Mary and Norman Garrett as Bob in "Highway 1, USA"
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Rodrick Dixon in the title role of "The Dwarf"
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Erica Petrocelli as Donna Clara and Rodrick Dixon as the Dwarf
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Erica Petrocelli as Donna Clara and Rodrick Dixon in the title role of "The Dwarf"
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Erica Petrocelli (at right) as Donna Clara in a scene from "The Dwarf"
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Rodrick Dixon as the Dwarf
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Erica Petrocelli as Donna Clara in "The Dwarf"
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Erica Petrocelli as Donna Clara
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Rodrick Dixon as the Dwarf and Emily Magee as Ghita
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Emily Magee as Ghita, with Sarah Satunino, Deepa Johnny and Kathleen O'Mara as the Maids
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Emily Magee as Ghita in "The Dwarf"
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Kristinn Sigmundsson as Don Estoban
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Rodrick Dixon in the title role of "The Dwarf"
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Rodick Dixon as the Dwarf and Emily Magee as Ghita, with Erica Petrocelli (at rear) as Donna Clara
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Erica Petrocelli (center) as Donna Clara, with Tiffany Townsend and Madeline Lyon as her companions
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Tony Cronin and Kristen Refermat as the King and Queen
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A scene from "The Dwarf"
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Learn more about this exciting new production in this video with Director Kaneza Schaal:
Artists: Highway 1, USA
- Mary
- Nicole Heaston
- Bob
- Norman Garrett
- Nate
- Chaz'men Williams-Ali
- Aunt Lou
- Deborah Nansteel
- Sheriff
- Alan Williams
- Conductor
- James Conlon
- Director
- Kaneza Schaal
- Production Design
- Christopher Myers
- Co-Scenic Designer
- Amy Rubin
- Co-Scenic Designer
- Cheyanne Williams
- Costumes
- Charlese Antoinette Jones
- Lighting
- Pablo Santiago
- Chorus
- Jeremy Frank
- Fight Director
- Andrew Kenneth Moss
- Intimacy Director
- Sara E. Widzer
Artists: The Dwarf
- The Dwarf
- Rodrick Dixon
- Donna Clara
- Erica Petrocelli
- Don Estoban
- Kristinn Sigmundsson
- Ghita
- Emily Magee
- First Maid
- Kathleen O'Mara
- Second Maid
- Deepa Johnny
- Third Maid
- Sarah Saturnino
- First Companion
- Tiffany Townsend
- Second Companion
- Madeleine Lyon
- Conductor
- James Conlon
- Director
- Darko Tresnjak
- Scenery
- Ralph Funicello
- Costumes
- Linda Cho
- Lighting
- Pablo Santiago
- Chorus
- Jeremy Frank
- Choreographer
- Bill Burns
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Read the synopsis
Highway 1, USA is performed in English with English subtitles. The Dwarf is performed in German with English subtitles.
Approximate running time: approximately two hours and 50 minutes, including one intermission
One hour before each performance, join us in Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall for Music Director James Conlon's pre-performance talk,
Click here to read James Conlon's essay on the double bill.
Read the digital program here.
Production made possible by generous support from
Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg
Founding and ongoing leadership support for the Recovered Voices project provided by
Marilyn Ziering and the Ziering Family Foundation
Principal underwriting support provided by a generous anonymous gift
Special additional support from
Thurmond Smithgall and The Lanie & Ethel Foundation
With special appreciation to
Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten
Special additional support for Highway 1, USA from
National Endowment for the Arts
OPERA America/Next Stage*
Kaneza Schaal’s direction of Highway 1, USA generously underwritten by a gift from
The Piera Barbaglia Shaheen Next Generation Artist Award
*The production of Highway 1, USA received funding from OPERA America’s Next Stage program, which were funded with gifts from OPERA America’s 50th Anniversary Campaign, including a leadership gift from Frayda B. Lindemann. Supplemental support for revisions was generously provided by the Mellon Foundation.
An original LA Opera production
Tickets Start at $29
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