Complications in Sue 

World Premiere
Libretto by Michael R. Jackson based on an idea by Justin Vivian Bond
Music by Andy Akiho, Alistair Coleman, Nathalie Joachim, Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly, Rene Orth, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Kamala Sankaram, Dan Schlosberg, and Errollyn Wallen
Performed in English with English supertitles

Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop) makes his operatic debut with an original libretto that brings his “provocative mix of high-mindedness and low satire” (The New York Times) to a new scale. Starring cabaret icon and MacArthur Genius Justin Vivian Bond, Complications in Sue pieces together one woman’s existence across ten decades, each scored by a different composer. Directors Zack Winokur and Raja Feather Kelly bring Sue, and the myriad characters who surround her, to life under the baton of Caren Levine, while Jonathan Anderson, the creative force behind Dior and JW Anderson, dresses her through life and death. Complications ensue this February.

This production contains adult language and content.

All tickets are Pick Your Price, starting at $11. Any amount above $11 helps support other operagoers and the work we present on stage.

Opera Philadelphia has partnered with Art-Reach and Nicole Sardella to provide Audio Description for this production on February 8. Learn more>>

MapAcademy of Music

Wed, Feb 4	7:00 p.m.
Thu, Feb 5	7:00 p.m.
Fri, Feb 6 Limited Tickets	8:00 p.m.
Sun, Feb 8 Check Back for Availability	2:00 p.m.

Runtime is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission

Cast & Creative Team

Kiera DuffyMrs. Claus, Co-Ed 1, Algorithm 1, Child Self, Death

Rehanna Thelwell Newscaster, Algorithm 2, Octogenarian, Death

Nicky Spence *Co-Ed 2, Algorithm 3, Neighbor, Death

Nicholas NewtonSanta Claus, Roger, Octogenarian, Death

Kritt Robinson * Set Design
Yuki Link * Lighting Design
JW Anderson * Costume Design for Justin Vivian Bond
Victoria Bek Costume Design
Chris Sannino Sound Design
Robert Kahn Assistant Conductor
Edward Sturm Assistant Director
Jennifer Shaw Stage Manager
Aletha Saunders Assistant Stage Manager
Lillian Welsh Assistant Stage Manager
*Opera Philadelphia debut

Composers

Alistair Coleman * *Underwritten by the Allen R. and Judy Brick Freedman Venture Fund for New Opera*

Rene Orth *Underwritten by the Allen R. and Judy Brick Freedman Venture Fund for New Opera*

Librettist

Michael R. Jackson

Michael R. Jackson is a playwright, composer, and lyricist, best known for his musical A Strange Loop, which won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and 2022 Tony Award for Best Musical.