The ensemble. Photo by by Kathy Wittman.

Presented by White Snake Projects
Composition by Mary D. Watkins
Libretto by Mary D. Watkins and Cerise Lim Jacobs
Stage direction by Pascale Florestal
Music direction by Tianhui Ng
Projection design by John Oluwole ADEkoje
Scenic design by Baron Pugh
Program art by Dr. Nettrice R. Gaskins
Featuring Deborah Nansteel, Eliam Ramos, Nina Evelyn Anderson, Joel Clemens, Carina DiGianfilippo, Isabel Randall, Chris Remkus, Naila Delgado

September 20th – 22nd
The Strand Theatre
543 Columbia Rd
Boston, MA 02125

Information here

Content Warning: Is This America? contains very strong, racially-loaded language, and references to violence.

Critique by Maegan Bergeron-Clearwood

BOSTON — Early in Act Two of White Snake Project’s new opera, Fannie Lou Hamer stands proudly before the Democratic National Convention, demanding a seat at the table for Black citizens. She testifies to the violence and dehumanization she has faced as a Black woman in the mid-twentieth century deep south: “I question America, the home of the free and the brave… They make our lives Hell! Hell, Hell! Is this America?”

Hamer’s famous speech (adapted by co-librettists Cerise Lim Jacobs and Mary D. Watkins and sung with grandeur and ferocity by mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel) was not met with polite applause during the performance I attended last night. Instead, a spectator a few seats to my right was moved to spontaneously respond – “Get it, girl!” – followed by cheers and uproarious applause.  Continue reading →