Ensemble Theatre is excited to present Terrence McNally’s Tony award-winning play, Master Class, offering an explosive homage to the legendary opera singer Maria Callas and featuring live operatic performances, from Friday 14 June 2024.
Set in the prestigious Juilliard School of the Arts, Master Class thrusts audiences into an exclusive session led by the formidable Maria Callas. With her merciless wit and exacting standards, Callas challenges her students, pushing them to the limits of their talent and revealing poignant memories from her past.
Under the expert direction of Liesel Badorrek (Opera Australia’s Carmen), Master Class comes to life with dynamic performances led by Lucia Mastrantone (Griffin Theatre’s JAILBABY).
Starring alongside Lucia are Bridget Patterson (Opera Australia’s Carmen), Elisa Colla (Opera Australia’s My Fair Lady), Matthew Reardon (Opera Australia’s Madame Butterfly), Maria Alfonsine (Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s The Hypochondriac) and Damian de Boos-Smith (Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s The Hypochondriac).
“In Master Class we find a brittle and fragile woman struggling to understand what is left of life when the career for which she has sacrificed everything, is coming to an end. In this production, we embrace live music in order to feel the immediate and visceral connection to the opera of Maria Callas’ life,” said director, Liesel Badorrek.
“Compelling, hilarious and beautiful. Master Class is an epic life story that you will be part of, but it is also a very intimate tale between an actor and an audience,” said Lucia Mastrantone, who plays Maria Callas.
Settle in for a whirlwind of unforgettable storytelling, sardonic humour and soaring music sung live on stage by Sydney’s best opera talent, offering a rare glimpse into the life and legacy of Maria Callas.
Director: Liesel Badorrek | Featuring: Lucia Mastrantone, Bridget Patterson, Elisa Colla, Matthew Reardon, Maria Alfonsine, Damian de Boos-Smith | Musical Director: Maria Alfonsine | Set & Costume Designer: Isabel Hudson | Lighting Designer: Kelsey Lee | Composer & Sound Designers: Damian de Boos-Smith, Maria Alfonsine | Dialect Coach: Linda Nicholls-Gidley | Theatre Stage Manager: Jen Jackson | Rehearsal Stage Manager: Emily Phillips | Costume Supervisor: Renata Beslik
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Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli (North Sydney)
Season: 14 June – 20 July 2024
Information and Bookings: www.ensemble.com.au
Image: Lucia Mastrantone stars as Maria Callas in Master Class – courtesy of Ensemble Theatre