Séance on a Wet Afternoon is described as “a psychological thriller about a medium, Myra Foster, her doting husband Bill, and the spirit of their deceased eleven-year-old son, Arthur, who speaks to Myra and is her contact for her séances. Because Myra has never received the recognition she feels her gifts merit, they hatch a Plan: They will kidnap the daughter of a local wealthy industrialist, and keep her safe while the media frenzy over her abduction builds. When Myra has a ‘vision’ that leads to the successful recovery of the girl and the ransom, her fame will be assured. As The Plan is put into action, the girl’s presence in the house leads to complex psychological responses from Myra, Bill and Arthur. The delicate balance of Myra and Bill’s relationship and Myra’s sanity itself begins to fray, as long-buried secrets are revealed. The Plan goes badly awry, and in Myra’s final séance, the drama comes to a devastating conclusion.”
Here's a look at the opera:
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The cast includes Lauren Flanigan , Melody Moore, Pamela Jones, Jane Shaulis, Todd Wilander, Michael Marcotte, Doug Purcell, Kim Josephson, Boyd Schlaefer, Juan Jose Ibarra, Philip Boykin, Michael Kepler Meo and Bailey Grey.
Schwartz, a five-time Tony nominee for the scores of Pippin, Godspell, Working, Wicked and his lyrics for Rags, has earned Academy Awards for "Pocahontas" and "The Prince of Egypt." He earned three Academy Award nominations for his work on "Enchanted." Schwartz also received Grammy Awards for the recordings of Wicked, Godspell and "Pocahontas." Visit NYCOpera, or phone (212) 496-0600.
New York City Opera stage productions take place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.