Come have a conversation about how the creative team behind this very funny show workshopped at Artomatic ended up at the GRAMMYs. From a computer mock-up at Artomatic 2004 to recruiting producers at Artomatic 2009 and Artomatic@Frederick 2011, to the week of public workshops culminating in a workshop concert (see it on YouTube) at Artomatic 2012, Artomatic has been central to the development of A Roadkill Opera. The June 2012 Artomatic workshop concert led to a studio recording released commercially on July 4, 2013, with all the sheet music also released commercially and available through your local bookseller or luthier.
Though not nominated, the studio recording of A Roadkill Operagot us invited to the GRAMMYs, which we attended in February 2015. Which led to the January 2016 world premiere, fully staged performances (with sold-out houses) at theMead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC. Hear how it happened from the creative team: music director, conductor, and director Jeffrey Dokken, together with Stephan Alexander Parker, who wrote the thing. The opera is new: the story is set in 1988 in the hour before the first professional gig for a comedy improv troupe in Jackson Hole—the Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company. The music is classical–from the 1804 Leonora by Ferdinando Paer, one of Beethoven’s direct competitors.
“Weird Al” Yankovic won Best Comedy Album for “Mandatory Fun.” He and his wife sat just across the aisle from A Roadkill Opera‘s music director/conductor Jeffrey Dokken at the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards in February 2015. Then Jane Seymour sat down right in front of us with Glen Campbell‘s kids. They produced the Best Country Song “I’m Not Gonna Miss You.” Dokken in the studio (top). A Roadkill Opera dropped July 4, 2013. While not nominated, our studio recording got us invited to the GRAMMYs. Librettist Stephan Alexander Parker, Dokken, and merchandising director DJ Choupin at the Premiere (above, left) and the Telecast (below, left). Video director Ben Ganz is checking on the after parties (below, center) while Parker is just glad he remembers where he parked the car.Stage manager Marvin (Christopher Dews) presents a frozen roadkill on a stick to Stephan (David Timpane) while Dave (Alex Miletich IV) looks on with amusement in A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington, DC in January 2016. Strings play pizzicato as Holly (Laura Wehrmeyer) performs at the stand-and-sing workshop performance at Artomatic 2012 in Crystal City, Virginia in June 2012. The classic Cod Piece Dining Room comedy sketch – 1980s Wyoming. Free! Hilarious videos at the Roadkill Opera YouTube channeland at roadkillopera.com.
If you haven’t already bought your tickets to the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia’s Symphonic Magic Concert (tonight, 7 pm, at the George Washington Masonic Memorial Theater in Alexandria, Virginia) you will want to jump right on it. SONOVA’s Music Director and Conductor, Jeffrey Dokken, has been instrumental in bringing A Roadkill Opera to life and reviving interest in the music of Ferdinando Paer.
In anticipation of this event, a GoPro video of a January 2016 world premiere performance of A Roadkill Opera has been uploaded onto the Roadkill Opera YouTube channel. The video provides the first opportunity for those who were not able to attend the sold-out shows in January to see what the fuss is all about. That show featured numerous personnel associated with SONOVA, including four who are also on the studio recording: Jeffrey Dokken, Martine Micozzi, Michael Thompson, and Val Rauch.
People who have seen or heard A Roadkill Opera have asked if it is a true story. It is true-ish.
During the summer of 1988, the Roadkill!!! Live Comedy Review ran for 8 weeks at the Silver Dollar Bar in the Wort Hotel in Jackson, Wyoming. That was the summer of the Yellowstone fires.
Handbill for the 1988 Roadkill Live!!! improv sketch comedy review
By the time the troupe performed Roadkill!!! Greatest Hits!on Friday the 13th, 1992, we had learned an alternate way to spell “comedy revue.” We were still in thrall to 1980s color choices, though.
The flyer advertising the 1992 Friday the 13th show at the Pink Garter Theatre. The clip art bore a striking resemblance to Doug Henderson, who had the title role in Jackson Hole Community Theatre production of Harvey that week.
Here in all its glory is a clip showing the classic sketch “Cod Piece Dining Room” from the 1992 “once-in-a-(sick) lifetime comedy experience.” Doug Henderson, who was starring in the title role of Harvey in the production then running on the Pink Garter Theatre’s stage, proved to be an energetic announcer. Dave Rohrer was back providing live musical accompaniment, Ed Bachtel and Stephan Alexander Parker were onstage in their final public performance under their legal partnership (dissolved shortly thereafter), and the role originated by Holly Danner in the 1988 run was played in the 1992 show by Louise Gignoux.
This clip was recorded live at the 1992 Roadkill!!! Greatest Hits!show on Friday the 13th at the Pink Garter Theatre in Jackson, Wyoming. This clip has mild profanity. The Jackson Hole Community Theatre production of Harvey, whose set we borrowed for our comedy revue, had played earlier that evening. Our midnight madness show started at 11 pm so we could use the already-heated theatre. The props will be recognizable to audiences that attend A Roadkill Opera.
A Roadkill Opera, which had its world premiere performances in January 2016 at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington, DC, tells the story of the hour before the first performance by the Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company in 1988. That true-ish story is set to the 1804 music from Leonora by Ferdinando Paer, a direct competitor of Beethoven. A Roadkill Opera is suitable for audiences of all ages and does not contain profanity.
Stage manager Marvin (Christopher Dews) presents a frozen roadkill on a stick to Stephan (David Timpane) while Dave (Alex Miletich IV) looks on with amusement in A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC in January 2016
A Roadkill Opera, as adapted from Paer’s 1804 opera Leonora, has six characters; the 1988 show which it is about only had four. Added for the 2016 premiere of A Roadkill Opera were the role of Debby (based on the woman who worked box office for the 1988 show) and the (non-singing) role of Marvin (based on the fellow who built the sets for the 1988 show).
To celebrate the January 2016 world premiere performances, Groundhog Day 2016 saw the publication of both the black-&-white and deluxe color versions of A Roadkill Opera: the underground opera sensation. This slim volume with lyrics in large print make it easy to follow along with the 59 minute studio recording (in English) of A Roadkill Opera released on July 4, 2013, on Amazon.com and subsequently on CD Baby, AmazonMP3, andiTunes.
A Roadkill Opera is now available worldwide on nearly all platforms. This comic opera with music in the style of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is recommended for fans of PDQ Bach, Tom Lehrer, Weird Al Yankovic, and The Rutles–but only if you like classical music with infectious hooks.
A Roadkill Opera tells the story of the hour before the lights go up on opening night for a comedy improv troupe in 1988 Jackson Hole, Wyoming: the Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company. During that hour, they find out their showroom at the Silver Dollar Bar is being torn down. This original story and English libretto by Stephan Alexander Parker is set to music from Leonora by Ferdinando Paer, Beethoven’s direct competitor. 59 minutes (in English).
Lucky audience members at the sold out January 2016 shows of A Roadkill Opera received free copies of the draft version of the black-&-white libretto so they could easily follow the lyrics of this hilarious new opera. The February 2, 2016, publications incorporate photos from the fully staged shows.
The lobby card that greeted lucky theatre-goers at the January 2016 sold out houses announced the cast for A Roadkill Opera – world premiere cast. The individual photos and bios are included in the 2016 publication A Roadkill Opera: the underground opera sensation now on sale
Worldwide distribution channels will come on line in the next several weeks. Quantity discounts are available now by contacting the author.
The front cover of the black-&-white version of the world premiere performances edition of A Roadkill Opera: the underground opera sensation is indistinguishable from the deluxe cover version. The only way to tell them apart from the outside is the color of the spine.The back cover of the black-&-white version of the world premiere performances edition of A Roadkill Opera: the underground opera sensation is indistinguishable from the deluxe cover version. The only way to tell them apart from the outside is the color of the spine.
As it says on the back cover:
“Good luck at the GRAMMYs. How could you not win with a name like that?”Ann Patchett, author of award winning, New York Times bestselling Bel Canto
“Songs like ‘Impress Them,’ ‘Cod Piece Dining,’ ‘Jello,’ and [Gonna buy my old granddad a] ‘Geo’ pair offbeat humor with beautiful vocals and music.” Pam Schipper, Gaithersburg Town Courier
“an inspired, imaginative work, technically worthy of the highest praise…The orchestration is faultless and complements the vocal parts beautifully.” Peter Maag writes about Paer’s Leonora
A Roadkill Operais available at iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, CD Baby, and other online platforms worldwide. Better yet, A Roadkill Opera is available locally at Lashof Violins in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and at Gifts of the Earth and the Valley Bookstorein Jackson, Wyoming.
It was sold out houses for the Saturday performances of A Roadkill Opera on January 9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC. The houses were pretty good as well on the previous night of this limited run of the hilarious new opera about the hour before the first professional gig for a sketch comedy troupe in 1980s Wyoming.
Holly (Laura Wehrmeyer) and Eddie (Alan Naylor) debate ways and whether it is necessary to punch up the humor of “In A Clearing” while Marvin (Christopher Dews) tends to the llama in A Roadkill Opera in its world premiere performances in January 2016 at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC
“Since the action takes place backstage the hour before the lights go up on the first show for these rude mechanicals, director Jeffrey Dokken decided to bring the audience backstage. That authenticity put the audience right in the thick of the action” said librettist Stephan Alexander Parker. “We were able to use the theatre lab as intended, and worked out the framing for the story. This show is ready for a larger venue,” he added.
Holly (Laura Wehrmeyer) is a radio news reporter in 1980s Wyoming who hopes to move up to disc jockey in A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC in January 2016Eddie (Alan Naylor) says his favorite sketch is “Adrenaline Adventures” when asked in A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC in January 2016
A Roadkill Opera is a mashup of a classic backstage screwball comedy and classic opera. Parker provided the story and script; Ferdinando Paer, a direct competitor of Beethoven, provided the music, which is essentially the overture and first act of Paer’s 1804 opera Leonora. “It is not a documentary; the fact is, though, the Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company had an 8-week run in the showroom at the Silver Dollar Bar of the Wort Hotel in Jackson, Wyoming, in the summer of ’88. The names have not been changed,” said Parker. “Everyone was agreeable to being portrayed in this new opera. Also, they signed releases in 1988. There is comedy in truth.”
Stage manager Marvin (Christopher Dews) presents a frozen roadkill on a stick to Stephan (David Timpane) while Dave (Alex Miletich IV) looks on with amusement in A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC in January 2016Debby (Shaina Martinez) muses on the fate of the troupe as Stephan (David Timpane) and Dave (Alex Miletich IV) review the pros and cons of various Geo models in A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC in January 2016Eddie (Alan Naylor) suggests ways to annoy the town when he learns that the Silver Dollar Bar (where their sketch comedy revue is about to open) is going to be torn down in order to make meeting rooms, as Debby (Shaina Martinez), Holly (Laura Wehrmeyer), Stephan (David Timpane), and Dave (Alex Miletich IV) look on, in A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC in January 2016A spirited game of ratminton is played by Stephan (David Timpane), Eddie (Alan Naylor) and Dave (Alex Miletich IV) during A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC in January 2016Musician Dave (Alex Miletich IV) is the center of attention as Debby (Shaina Martinez) and Stephan (David Timpane) get him fired up for the first show by the Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company in the show-within-a-show in A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC in January 2016The audience is encouraged to get involved in the grand finale, as Eddie (Alan Naylor) prepares to play the national anthem, by harmonica, by nose, with the support of the stage manager Marvin (Christopher Dews), Debby (Shaina Martinez), Holly (Laura Wehrmeyer), Stephan (David Timpane) and Dave (Alex Miletich IV) in A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC in January 2016
The world premiere of A Roadkill Opera goes up on Friday, January 8, 2016, in a very limited run–just 4 shows over 2 days in Washington DC’s Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint. This hilarious mashup of music from Ferdinando Paer’s 1804 Leonora with a backstage comedy set in 1988 Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a hoot. Two shows a night, at 6:30 and 8:30 pm. 59 minutes, in English. 8 piece orchestra and 5 opera singers–fun for the whole family!
A Roadkill Opera is now available on most online music platforms.Dates, times, location for the world premiere performances of A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington, DC, on January 8-9, 2016Details for seeing the world premiere performances of A Roadkill Opera are shown on this postcard. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets at roadkilloperadc.bpt.me
Only 5 weeks until the shows on January 8-9, 2016–Buy your tickets for A Roadkill Opera today at roadkilloperadc.bpt.me! There are only 40 seats per show, only 4 shows, with an incredible cast and 8-piece chamber orchestra.
Stephan Alexander Parker’s comedic A Roadkill Opera, featuring music from 1804 by Ferdinando Paer, will have its world premiere performances on January 8-9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC.
You can hear more about the upcoming performances on December 12 at 7 pm at Artomatic 2015. You will also be able to purchase keen swag for A Roadkill Opera at both events and at the Artists Market at Artomatic 2015 on December 5.
A Roadkill Opera is now available on most online music platforms.Details for seeing the world premiere performances of A Roadkill Opera are shown on this postcard. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets at roadkilloperadc.bpt.meDates, times, location for the world premiere performances of A Roadkill Opera at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington, DC, on January 8-9, 2016
Parker & Dokken spoke about the road from Artomatic 2012 to the February 2015 GRAMMYs at the opening night for Artomatic 2015 at 6 pm on Friday, October 30. They were listed as Librettist. They played the 2013 studio album and previewed the January 8-9, 2016, Washington DC premiere of fully staged performances of A Roadkill Opera.
A Roadkill Opera‘s librettist/producer Stephan Alexander Parker had a lively discussion with music director/conductor Jeffrey Sean Dokken on stage 2 at the opening night of Artomatic 2015 in Hyattsville, MarylandThe 1804 manuscript for Ferdinando Paer’s LeonoraIn February 2013, Decca released Leonora on CD for the first time. A Roadkill Opera was already halfway through its studio recordingPaer’s 1804 Leonora was the second version of the story set to music. Beethoven’s Fidelio was three of the six versions. Parker kept Paer’s music and wrote a new story and libretto to it. He also cut it from 2.5 hours down to 59 minutes for A Roadkill OperaA Roadkill Opera will have its first fully staged performances on January 8-9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington, DC
There were some interesting characters in attendance. Artomatic is well-known for transforming empty spaces into vibrant arts communities that create unique and exciting events for tens of thousands of visitors – all FREE. Anyone can show art at Artomatic – it is non-juried and art is selected on a first-come, first serve basis. It is simply a great way to discover new art!
Artomatic staff kept a close watch on Parker & Dokken as they discussed the key role Artomatic has played in the development of A Roadkill Opera on the opening night of Artomatic 2015.
Every night of the event, thousands of people visit Artomatic to discover new art, grab a drink, listen to music, go on dates, and mingle with the creative community. No matter what kind of creative events you like, you’ll find something to like at Artomatic.
Artists and performers in Artomatic 2015 listened attentively as Parker & Dokken discussed the bizarre route of A Roadkill Opera from 1804 Vienna, through Dresden, Paris, and Crystal City to the Washington DC premiere in January 2016As other acts follow Parker & Dokken on Stage 2 at Artomatic 2015, their audiences will have a chance to view Parker’s exhibit on the history and future of A Roadkill Opera
Information on A Roadkill Opera‘s backstory and performance editions of the published score and parts are on display in Parker’s exhibit at Artomatic 2015 through December 12. Parker’s exhibit is across from Stage 2 and around the corner from Bar 2.
You can learn a lot from George Lucas about marketing. Merchandise sales directly support the development of A Roadkill Opera. Here is the display case at Artomatic 2015, showing the studio recording CDs; Land’s End 100% cotton hats, t-shirts, and chambray shirts; stainless steel Opening Night bottle openers; conductor’s batons/chopsticks; bumper stickers; and Rockmount Ranch Wear limited edition 100% silk ties for “A Roadkill Opera: The Underground Opera Sensation”
As of noon on October 31, 2015, you can go to Brown Paper Tickets to buy for the January 8-9, 2016, tickets for A Roadkill Opera– world premiere performances. Shows are at 630 and 830 pm each night at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint.
The stellar cast for the January 2016 world premiere of A Roadkill Opera is at the center of Stephan Alexander Parker’s display at Artomatic 2015. The display also showcases the photography of DJ Choupin, whose work has been incorporated into the published sheet music for A Roadkill Opera‘s score and parts.
The studio recording of A Roadkill Operawas released on July 4, 2013, on Amazon.com and subsequently on CD Baby, AmazonMP3, andiTunes. It is now available worldwide on nearly all platforms. This comic opera with music in the style of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is recommended for fans of PDQ Bach, Tom Lehrer, and The Rutles–but only if you like classical music with infectious hooks.
A Roadkill Opera‘s merchandising director and photographer DJ Choupin arranged the display case at Artomatic 2015–and served as the muse for A Roadkill Opera–the character Debby is inspired by her
The chamber orchestra for the January 2016 premiere performances of A Roadkill Opera returns four players from previous incarnations. Martine Micozzi, flautist, is the key link who introduced librettist Stephan Alexander Parker to conductor/music director Jeffrey Sean Dokken. Like Martine, trumpeter/flugehornist Michael Thompson performed in the Artomatic 2012 workshop and on the 2013 studio recording. Val Rauch will return on viola, which she played on the 2013 studio recording of A Roadkill Opera.
As of noon on October 31, 2015, you can go to Brown Paper Tickets to buy for the January 8-9, 2016, tickets for A Roadkill Opera– world premiere performances. Shows are at 630 and 830 pm each night at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint.
A Roadkill Opera is now available on most online music platforms.
Michael Thompson – Trumpet – is Associate Conductor and Principal Trumpet of the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia. He attended Grammy Award-winning South Salem High School in Salem, Oregon where he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Full Orchestra, and Jazz Band and the recipient of the John Philip Sousa and Louis Armstrong awards. Michael studied trumpet performance and music at the University of Oregon and was the trumpet section leader of the Oregon Symphonic Band and all Oregon Athletic Bands and the musical director of the Green Garter Band. Michael was a member of the original orchestra for A Roadkill Opera and has also played in productions of Les Misérables, Into the Woods, and The Music Man. Besides the original recording of A Roadkill Opera, Michael has recorded with the Oregon Marching Band, Green Garter Band, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem, OR and can be also be found on numerous live recordings and in the introduction to EA Sport’s NCAA March Madness 2004.
Martine Micozzi -Flute- originally hails from Los Angeles where she started her foray into music while in elementary school. While not a music major and pursuing music as a hobby, she enjoyed performing with the Solar Winds Woodwind quintet in L.A. and has performed internationally at venues including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Hollywood Bowl, Meyerhoff Hall, the Strathmore Center, and La Madeleine in Paris. Martine participated in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Corwin Master Class and Ransom Wilson’s Master Class in Italy. While in Paris, she founded, managed, and performed as Principal flutist of the orchestra of the Paris Choral Society. Upon her return to the U.S., she has participated in summer academies and performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Martine presently performs with and serves on the Board of Directors for the Symphony Orchestra of Arlington, Virginia.
Tanya Whisnant -violin- started studying violin at age 4, and quickly discovered a preference for ensemble playing. During her school years she formed a quartet (Dalibor Strings), joined Yale University’s Saybrook Orchestra, and played in the pit orchestra for Yale’s Gilbert & Sullivan Society and student opera group, among others. After moving to the DC area Tanya was pleased to join the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia (Sonova), and still enjoys finding opportunities to play with new ensembles.
Val Rauch -viola- is a violist from the Pittsburgh, PA area. She earned a B.M. in music education from James Madison University and a M.Ed. in school technology from George Mason University. She has been teaching orchestra for Fairfax County Public Schools since 2006. Val has performed with The McLean Symphony, The Reston Community Orchestra, the Vino Trio, and is currently principal violist of the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia. She has enjoyed performing A Roadkill Opera! Val resides in Reston, VA with her husband, Robert.
Deborah Albert -clarinet- Debbie plays with the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia. Locally, she has also played with the Capital Wind Symphony and the Arlington Concert Orchestra. In a past life in Albany, New York, she played with the SUNY/Community Orchestra and in the pit orchestra for Opera Excelsior performances of The Magic Flute and Cavalleria Rusticana, where she discovered a love for opera she didn’t know she had. During the day, she is an urban planner in Arlington.
Francesca Martin -violin- has been performing twenty-two years with the violin, earning musical merit and academic scholarships for orchestral studies, chamber music ensemble classes and private lessons. Most notably, Francesca was the recipient of the “Blackwood Theater Organ Society Scholarship” in 2006. Prior to her acceptance into the Mary Pappert school of Music in 2007, Francesca was under the tutelage of Marian Irwin of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. She was awarded merit scholarships to pursue violin performance in the studios of Charles Stegeman from the Curtis Institute of Music and Christopher Wu, a violinist and member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Prior to becoming Concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia, Francesca led her university’s chamber orchestra as Concertmaster for five years. She was a member of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony under the baton of Daniel Meyer for three years in which she was awarded principal second violin her first year with the orchestra. Her orchestral and chamber playing have taken her on tours throughout Eastern Europe (2005), a National Festival of the States Tour (2006), and a special performance at the White House with the Maryland Classic Youth Quartet for their 2007 Christmas season. Since, she has been privileged to return again as a member of Sonova in 2013 for their annual “Holidays at the White House”. Before her acceptance into Sonova, Francesca volunteered for the University of Maryland Baltimore County Orchestra while studying for a masters degree at the Washington Montessori Institute.
Whitney Miller -bassoon- was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and raised primarily in Dumfries, Virginia. She graduated from James Madison University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Music Industry, concentrated in the recording arts, and from Western Michigan University in 2014 with a Master’s in Bassoon Performance. Her career as a bassoonist has led to international performances in Canada, Mexico, and across Europe, and with legendary musicians, such as the band KANSAS and under the direction of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s music director Leonard Slatkin. Combining her love with performance and for sharing that with young people, she is currently pursuing her initial Virginia teacher certification, with the goal of becoming an elementary music educator in mind. She is currently employed as a substitute teacher for Prince William County Schools. When she’s not working, performing with the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia, or making reeds, she can be found reading, spending time with her family, or getting in one last bike ride before it becomes too cold to do so.
Jorge Alvarez -cello- graduated with Bachelor of Music in cello performance from Shepherd University. There he participated in many activities/shows/events the music department put together; was part of the Two River Chamber Orchestra; taught the cello; led cello sectionals of the Shepherd University Orchestra; participated in marching band (it is hard not to think of Woody Allen in Take The Money and Run); and played in the honors recital.
Is Sam Calagione the newest fan of A Roadkill Opera? Only time will tell. He seemed pretty stoked when he met with librettist Stephan Alexander Parker in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Is Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head, a fan of A Roadkill Opera? Only time will tell….
Production meetings begin in earnest in October for the first fully staged shows of A Roadkill Opera on January 8-9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington, DC. Returning from the Artomatic 2012 workshop and 2013 commercially released studio recording are Maestro Jeffrey Dokken, soprano Laura Wehrmeyer as Holly, and baritone David Timpane as Stephan. They are joined by 2015 Helen Hayes Best Actor Winner, Musical, Alan Naylor as Eddie, Alex Miletich IV as Dave, and soprano Shaina Martinez as Debby.
A Roadkill Opera announced its first fully staged performances for January 8-9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington, DCJeffrey Sean Dokken is conductor and music director for the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia and served in the same roles for the 2012 workshop concert performance and 2013 studio recording of A Roadkill Opera. He will be conducting the January 2016 world premiere performances in Washington DC.Laura Wehrmeyer (Holly) and David Timpane (Stephan) are all smiles after the first workshop concert performance of A Roadkill Opera at Artomatic 2012 on June 9 in Crystal City, Virginia. They are returning for the first fully staged performances on January 8-9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint in Washington DC.Alan Naylor will play Eddie in A Roadkill Opera on January 8 & 9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint, 916 G Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001Alex Miletich IV will play Dave in A Roadkill Opera on January 8 & 9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint, 916 G Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001Shaina Martinez, a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, will play Debby in A Roadkill Opera on January 8 & 9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint, 916 G Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001
In August 2015, the staff at the San Francisco Warby Parker “Pop-In” approved of A Roadkill Opera‘s librettist Stephan Alexander Parker’s choice of frames. Parker selfie with Warby Parker’s Allie Schaecter & Adam Bentley, and Duc Dinh (Nordstrom). And yes, that is my briefcase made from salvaged seatbelts by the Nashville-based Salvage.
It almost didn’t happen. I am very fond of my Ray Bans. And no, the image above is not reversed.
After a long week of meetings in Berkeley, I headed into San Francisco to do some urban hiking. My first stop was the top floor at Nordstrom. As I was heading out, though, I saw PARKER in giant letters and thought I’d grab a quick photo. Since my musical collaborator Ferdinando Paer shares a subset of my last name, I thought perhaps I could figure out a clever visual homage to him.
Once I got closer to the letters, though, I realized I had stumbled onto a Warby Parker “Pop-In” shop within the San Francisco Nordstroms. It took awhile for this to register: I knew Warby Parker as a SoHo shop that was recommended to me by A Roadkill Opera‘s New York business representative, Ryah Naomi. On her recommendation, I had tried their frames about a year ago at home (they mail them to you). I liked the frames they had mailed me, but they couldn’t handle my prescription–then.
Stephan Alexander Parker met with his New York business representative, Ryah Naomi, on the High Line in Chelsea, to receive first proceeds from sales of A Roadkill Opera sheet music to Strand Books
My fondness for Ray Bans extends back to my days as a whitewater rafting guide for Mad River Boat Trips in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Over four seasons of guiding (under the river name “Killer”) I made roughly a thousand trips down the Grand Canyon of the Snake River. That translates to about 10,000 passengers. If you were in Jackson between 1985 and 1992, you might have been on one of my boats. I was guiding on the day of the Harmonic Convergence. But I digress…
When you have a fresh crop of passengers on a paddles-only raft for just 90 minutes or so, you look for effective techniques that work fast. Stephan Alexander Parker (aka “Killer”) in the early 1990s had a choice: Stephan says “paddle, people” or Killer says “paddle or die.” The latter was more effective. It also sold more photos.
While guiding for Mad River, I would sometimes run into a boatman for Barker Ewing, our arch rival. Ed Bachtel would tell funny stories, sing, and play his harmonica. When Ed and I both enrolled in improv classes at Tommy’s On The Square, we hit it off. First, we started the only open mic night in town, which ran for years at Spirits of the West. I like to think of the Dornan’s Hootenanny as carrying on the tradition. Then, Ed talked the bar manager at the Silver Dollar Bar into giving us their nightclub space 3 nights a week for the summer of 1988. That was the year of the Yellowstone fires. Roadkill Live!!! played 8 weeks at the Silver Dollar Bar in the Wort Hotel.
DJ Choupin, our box office manager for the 1988 Roadkill Live!!! Comedy Review, cheered for us on our opening night in July 1988.
What does that have to do with shades? Well, I was getting to that. In the fall of ’88, Ed’s roommates had organized a private kayaking trip down the Grand Canyon–that is, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River–and Ed was to guide one of the support rafts. At the last minute, one of the other support raft guides couldn’t go, and I was invited to spend 21 days rafting on the Grand Canyon. I will never forget it–it was mostly during “oars only” season, so after a few days we never heard a motor. Also, I managed to get knocked off of my boat for portions of Crystal and Lava, the only two Class 10 rapids on the Colorado through the Grand Canyon. Both times I was wearing my prescription Ray Ban polarized sunglasses, even as I was being swept under a ledge by the current and having to crawl while upside down under water to get out. My Croakies kept my Ray Bans in place. My Ray Bans did not come unhinged. [Insert your own joke here]
As comfortable and strong as they are, though, it is time for a change. Warby Parker, your glasses have my name on them. And your San Francisco staff rocks!
See fully staged performances of A Roadkill Opera in Washington DC in January 2016. Tickets go on sale in October 2015.
There is music everywhere in the Wyoming/Idaho/Montana greater Yellowstone area, as DJ Choupin and I found on a two-week swing through the area over the Independence Day holiday.
While not a music act, the venue certainly is: DJ got a chance to chat with Longmireauthor Craig Johnston and the star of the series Robert Taylor at the Silver Dollar Bar in the Wort Hotel in Jackson. They couldn’t have been kinder or more gracious. We are excited about seeing the 4th season (and re-watching the first 3 seasons) of Longmire on Netflix!
DJ Choupin has a word with Longmire author Craig Johnson and series star Robert Taylor at the Wort Hotel’s Silver Dollar BarDJ Choupin deep in conversation with Longmire series star Robert Taylor at the Wort Hotel’s Silver Dollar Bar–author Craig Johnson stands beside DJ.
We had swung by the party at the Silver Dollar Bar after attending the Hootenanny at Dornan’s in Moose, Wyoming. DJ had worked at Dornan’s for several years; the Roadkill Live!!! comedy review played at the Wort’s Greenback Lounge (enter through the Silver Dollar Bar) for 8 weeks in summer of 1988.
DJ Choupin with Longmire star Robert Taylor at the Silver Dollar Bar in Jackson, WyomingAd for the Longmire event in the Jackson Hole News & Guide
At the Hootenanny, we had particularly enjoyed performances by John Sidle and John Byrne Cooke, so I was delighted to catch up with them for a chat at the Silver Dollar Bar. Sidle and Cooke are mainstays of the Stagecoach Band that plays in Wilson, Wyoming, every Sunday, as well as at the Hootenanny in Moose, Wyoming. Back in the day, I had designed the lighting for an Actors Coop production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum that Sidle had starred in as Pseudolus. Turns out Cooke has also appeared in Forum as Senex. But I digress….
Local music legends John Sidle and John Byrne Cooke at the Silver Dollar Bar in Jackson, Wyoming, with A Roadkill Opera‘s librettist Stephan Alexander Parker. The three were enjoying the Wort’s Longmire party after the Hootenanny
It was a musical couple of weeks. In addition to two trips to the Hootenanny, DJ and I enjoyed seeing the Dirt Farmers at their Three Forks, Montana performance; the Lake String Quartet (twice!) at the Lake Hotel in Yellowstone; and two performances under the aegis of the Grand Teton Music Festival. With the latter, I am trying to talk up the possibility of a performance of A Roadkill Opera in the very spot the story takes place, the newly reconverted to performance space in the Silver Dollar Bar. The opening week of the GTMF also saw our ad in the Jackson Hole News & Guide promoting the availability of the studio recording at the Valley Bookstore and at Gifts of the Earth.
This publicity piece ran as a quarter-page advertisement in the Jackson Hole News & Guide the opening week of the Grand Teton Music Festival. The action of A Roadkill Opera takes place over Independence Day weekend in 1988. The studio recording was released July 4, 2013, marking the 25th anniversary of the opening night of Roadkill Live!!! at the Wort Hotel’s Greenback Lounge (enter through the Silver Dollar Bar).The Lake String Quartet plays at the Lake Hotel in Yellowstone National ParkThe Dirt Farmers playing on the porch of the Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks, MontanaThe Grand Teton Music Festival brought classical music into town with a string quartet at the Diehl Gallery in Jackson, WyomingA couple of roadies lugged the gear back to the Grand Teton Music Festival after the performance at the Diehl Gallery in Jackson, WyomingThe new performance space at the Silver Dollar Bar at the Wort Hotel in Jackson, Wyoming. With the walls open, the space can accommodate an audience of about 150 to 200. The space restores to performance the area that had been the Greenback Lounge, famously demolished in 1988 to make way for meeting rooms, offices, and sleeping quarters, as described in A Roadkill Opera. Viva la musica!
This week is the anniversary of the 1988 opening night for the original eight week run of Roadkill Live!!!at the Wort Hotel’s Greenback Lounge (enter through the Silver Dollar Bar). The opening night is recounted in five part harmony in A Roadkill Opera; the key plot point is that, during the hour before the first professional gig for the “rude mechanicals” putting on the show, they learn that their showroom is being torn down. The musical number Torn Down recites the names of local favorites that had played (or would have played) the showroom such as Loose Ties, Shelley and Kelly, Susan Carlman, Beth McIntosh, Deadly Earnest, Johnny Gimble, Sawmill Creek, and others.
Ed Bachtel plays the U.S. Nasal Academy arrangement of the national anthem, by harmonica,through his nose, in this screen-grab from the 1988 Roadkill Live!!! at the Wort Hotel’s Greenback Lounge (enter through the Silver Dollar Bar)
In real life, the management of the Wort Hotel has, effective 2015, removed the hotel rooms and offices and gift shop that had displaced the 1988 nightclub, and replaced them with an expanded showroom as part of the Silver Dollar Bar. Hurray! Was the protest of the 1988 teardown expressed in Paer & Parker’s A Roadkill Operaresponsible for this remarkable reversal of fortune? History will decide…
In honor of the Roadkill Live!!! anniversary and in celebration of the reestablishment of a first rate, full size performance venue at the Silver Dollar Bar at the Wort Hotel, A Roadkill Opera is providing promotional messages during the opening week of the Grand Teton Music Festival to let people know of the local availability of this fast, funny, melodic concoction full of true-ish Jackson Hole history. A Roadkill Opera–music from 1804 by Ferdinando Paer–action set in 1988 Jackson Hole–a new opera in just 59 minutes (in English).
Laura Wehrmeyer sings the role of Holly (Danner, that is), a radio news reporter who aspires to be a disc jockey.
Laura Wehrmeyer (Holly)
David Timpane sings the role of Stephan, a whitewater rafting guide whose river name at Mad River in 1988 was “Killer.”
David Timpane (Stephan)
Peter Maag writes about Paer’s Leonora
“an inspired, imaginative work, technically worthy of the highest praise…The orchestration is faultless and complements the vocal parts beautifully.”
Pam Schipper wrote in the Gaithersburg Town Courier
“Songs like ‘Impress Them,’ ‘Cod Piece Dining.’ ‘Jello,’ and [Gonna buy my old granddad a] ‘Geo’ pair offbeat humor with beautiful vocals and music.”
A Roadkill Opera tells the story of the hour before the lights go up on opening night for a comedy improv troupe in 1988 Jackson Hole–the Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company. During that hour, they find out their showroom at the Silver Dollar Bar is being torn down.
If you like it, tell your friends. If you don’t like it, you can kind of keep that to yourself.
Additional promotional items will be announced as artists are signed for the fully staged performances in Washington, DC on January 8-9, 2016.
Bison, Bear, and Moose converse in the 1988 comedy sketch In A Clearing featuring (left to right) Stephan Alexander Parker, Holly Danner, and Ed Bachtel
As we look forward to the January 8-9, 2016, Washington DC premiere of fully staged performances of A Roadkill Opera, we look back at the “stand and sing” workshop at Artomatic 2012 and the many people who made it happen. Video of the 2012 workshop concert is now available at http://youtu.be/g0K6Il7m1W4.
A Roadkill Operawas workshopped at Artomatic 2012 on June 9 in Crystal City, Virginia, under the baton of Maestro Jeffrey Dokken. It went so well that a 2013 studio recording made in Montgomery County, Maryland, was released on July 4, 2013, and the Roadkill Opera creative team was invited to attend the Grammys in 2015 (we sat across the aisle from Weird Al. He won Best Comedy Album for Mandatory Fun. But I digress…)
Yes! Weird Al Yankovic wins the Grammy for Best Comedy Album for Mandatory Fun as Jeffrey Dokken of A Roadkill Opera applauds at the February 2015 ceremony
The first fully staged performances will be on January 8 & 9, 2016, at the Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint, 916 G Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001. Special thanks to the late Jaylee Mead for her generous support of the Mead Theatre Lab. Tickets will go on sale in October 2015.
If you plan to attend a performance of A Roadkill Opera, you might want to come dressed as Harrison Ford–you’ll be glad you did!
Music from 1804 by Ferdinando Paer. Action set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 1988. A new opera (in English) in just 59 minutes. The story: the hour before opening night for the first professional gig for the “rude mechanicals” in the comedy improv troupe Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company. Glorious music from one of Beethoven’s direct competitors (Paer’s Leonora from 1804, from which the music for A Roadkill Opera was transcribed, told the same story as Beethoven’s Fidelio from 1805…but that’s another story…)
The sheet music for A Roadkill Opera is available through your local bookstore and online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes&Noble. For special pricing on performance packages, ask for A Roadkill Opera DIY from Stephan Alexander Parker at roadkillopera@icloud.com.
Credits for the Artomatic 2012 workshop concert of A Roadkill Opera:
Jeffrey Dokken, Music Director & Conductor
A Roadkill Opera‘s Stephan Alexander Parker and Jeffrey Dokken with photographer/merchandising director DJ Choupin at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards
Laura Wehrmeyer as Holly
Andrew Webster as Eddie
George Spelvin as Marvin
David Timpane as Stephan
Krista Monique McClellan as Debby
John Dellaporta as Dave
Laura Wehrmeyer (Holly) and David Tmpane (Stephan) are all smiles after the first workshop concert performance of A Roadkill Opera at Artomatic 2012 on June 9 in Crystal City, VirginiaKrista Monique McClellan (Debby) and John Dellaporta (Dave) celebrate after the 2012 Artomatic workshop concert performance of A Roadkill Opera on June 9 in Crystal City, VirginiaHarvey Berlin congratulates flautist Martine Micozzi after the Artomatic 2012 workshop concert performance of A Roadkill Opera on June 9 in Crystal City, Virginia. Micozzi introduced the score and libretto to Maestro Jeffrey Dokken, leading to this workshop, the 2013 studio recording, the 2015 Grammy Awards trip, and the 2016 fully staged performances. Scrim crew member Nat Scholl can be seen examining the conductor’s score at bottom right.
Martin Micozzi, Flute
Jeannine Altavilla, Clarinet
Sarah Robinson, Bassoon
Michael Thompson, Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Frank Peracchia, Violin I
Holly Petty, Violin II
Kendall Isadore, Violin III
Kathy Augustine, Cello
Allan Decipulo, Piano (rehearsal)
The chamber orchestra’s violins warm up for A Roadkill Opera‘s Artomatic 2012 workshop concert in the green room on June 9 in Crystal City, Virginia. From left: Holly Petty, Frank Peracchia, and Kendall Isadore. Check out the chucks!Kathy Augustine (Cello)Andrew Webster (Eddie)Michael Thompson (Trumpet, Flugelhorn)Jeannine Altavilla (Clarinet)Sarah Robinson (Bassoon)Photographer and merchandising director DJ Choupin (center) got hands on at Hatch Show Print in Nashville, Tennessee, in June 2015. Hatch’s legendary letterpress artists designed and printed the posters for the Artomatic 2012 workshop concert of A Roadkill Opera. That poster was the basis of the covers for the sheet music and CD released in 2013.Hatch Show Print provided the poster for the June 2012 workshop performance. Pictured at Hatch in March 2013 is Jim Sherraden, manager, curator, and chief designer of Hatch Show Print, advising on how to best incorporate the poster design into the covers of the CD and sheet music for A Roadkill Opera.
Camera: Ben Ganz
Production Assistants: Jason Ganz, Nina Parker Ganz
Audio: Angelo Avellana
Audio Supervisor: Mary Diaz
Lighting: George Spelvin
George Spelvin hangs lights for the Artomatic 2012 workshop concert of A Roadkill Opera
Scrim Crew: Cyndi Moran, Eric Scholl, Nathaniel Scholl, Rosalyn Scholl
The scrim crew allowed the video of the 2012 Artomatic workshop concert of A Roadkill Opera to have a consistent black-and-white background for the singers and musicians to comfortably stand out.Three of the scrim crew examine the conductor’s score after the 2012 Artomatic workshop concert of A Roadkill Opera. From left, Cyndi Moran, Roz Scholl, and Nat Scholl.
Retail Merchandising: DJ Choupin
Apparently they survived: Nat, Roz, Cyndi, and Eric the day after they served as scrim crew for the 2012 Artomatic workshop concert of A Roadkill Opera
Roadkill logo: Eric Scholl
The multitalented Eric Scholl has his back to the camera. From designing the original 1988 logo for the Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company to hanging the black background scrim at the June 9, 2012, Artomatic workshop concert performance of A Roadkill Opera, Scholl’s drollery has been a continuing influence. Cyndi Moran is stabilizing the ladder as Stephan Alexander Parker hangs lights and Ben Ganz takes light readings for the forthcoming video. The art in the background was hidden by scrim in the video.
Music from 1804 by Ferdinando Paer
New English Libretto by Stephan Alexander Parker
If you see roadkill, think opera.
roadkillopera.com
Special thanks to Artomatic
Angelo Avellana (at the audio board, far right) provided support to record the audio at the Artomatic 2012 workshop concert of A Roadkill Opera
Please note: A Roadkill Opera was workshopped at Artomatic 2012 on June 9 with 8 musicians and 5 opera singers. It sounds pretty good for the first ever workshop. For the 2013 studio recording, we added a second cello for the killer solo that is missing from the workshop performance. And timpani for three numbers.
An early training mission at a 4-D theatre at a Washington DC museum for the future video crew for A Roadkill Opera. From front to back, Jason Ganz (now with Canvas and Agora VR), Ben Ganz (now with Fox Broadcasting Company) and Stephan Alexander Parker.Backstage view of first vocals rehearsal for A Roadkill Opera at Artomatic 2012 in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia. Allan Decipulo is at the keyboard
![Ad reading: Paer's Leonora vs. Fidelio: Better than Beethoven. Leonora adapted to A Roadkill Opera. Peter Maag writes about Paer's Leonora: "an inspired, imaginative work, technically worthy of the highest praise,,, The orchestration is faultless and complements the vocal parts beautifully." Pam Schipper wrote in the Gaithersburg Town Courier "Songs like 'Impress Them,' 'Cod Piece Dining,' 'Jello,' and [Gonna buy my old granddad a] 'Goe' pair offbeat humor with beautiful vocals and music." A Roadkill Opera tells the story of the hour before the lights go up ion opening night for a comedy improv troupe in 1988 Jackson Hole--the Roadkill On A Stick Frozen Foods Theatre Company. During that hour, they find out their showroom at the Silver Dollar Bar is being torn down. Available on iTunes, at Gifts of the Earth & the Valley Bookstore. Fully staged performances Washington, DC, January 8-9, 2016 roadkill opera.com roadkill opera@icloud.com 240-277-6640](http://aroadkillopera.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IMG_64262.jpg)
