The WIdow’s Will

Commissioned by Chicago Fringe Opera
Music by Elizabeth Rudolph
Libretto by Bilal Dardai

Chicago Fringe Opera’s The Widow’s Will celebrates the life and work of the mother of the environmental rights movement, activist Hazel M. Johnson.  The Widow’s Will highlights Johnson’s struggle against the City of Chicago to bring attention to the toxic pollution of the Altgeld Gardens community.  The film considers her legacy today, as well the effects of politics and racism on her work, ending with a call to action for audiences to continue her environmental activism.

This film is produced in grateful collaboration with the People for Community Recovery, the non-profit environmental organization founded by Johnson.

 
Photo: Danielle Thralow

Episode 2: The Long Arc

Heroes

Premiered October 1, 2021

 

Cast

Hazel M. Johnson: Amanda Noelle Neal
Press: Naomi Brigell
City: Peter Wesoloski

Ensemble

5th Wave Collective

Creative Team

Music by Elizabeth Rudolph
Libretto by Bilal Dardai
Director of Photography & Editor: Khary Laurent
Music Director & Conductor: Catherine O'Shaughnessy
Producer & Director: George Cederquist
Costume Designer: Kate Setzer Kamphausen Unit Production Manager: Ted Nazarowski Audio Editor: Chungers Kim
Visual Dramaturg: Brad Caleb Lee Second Unit: Rick Schuler
Executive Producer: Laura Smalley

This production is sponsored in part by John Bierbusse.
Supported by The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation & The CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

Elizabeth RudolphShe/HerElizabeth Rudolph is a Chicago-based composer “whose music takes advantage of the rhythmic complexity of minimalism to emphasize thoughtfully composed melodic storytelling.” according to contralto Katherine Dalin. Rudolph’s music has been performed and/or recorded by VOX3, Third Eye Theater, New Moon Opera, Chicago Fringe Opera, Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Interlochen Arts Academy Chorale, and Opera on Tap-Chicago. Her most recent evening-length opera, Imogen, had its debut with New Moon Opera in 2019. Other commissions include, Lincoln Square (soprano and cello) for the Chicago Fringe Opera City of Works project, Just a Phase (TTBB Choral) for the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus on the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, The Third Night (baritone, bass clarinet, and piano) for VOX3, La Belle Dame sans Merci (SATB chorale) and Incidental Music for The Tempest (chamber music), for Interlochen Center for the Arts. She attended Roosevelt University (MM-Vocal Performance) and St. Olaf College (BM-Vocal Performance and Music Theory/Composition) where she studied composition with Dr. Peter Hamlin and Dr. Timothy Mahr. She began composing at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Dr. Alan Hirsch, then finished high school at Interlochen Arts Academy where she advanced her composition and music theory study with Dr. Elaine Broad-Ginsberg.

Elizabeth Rudolph

She/Her

Elizabeth Rudolph is a Chicago-based composer “whose music takes advantage of the rhythmic complexity of minimalism to emphasize thoughtfully composed melodic storytelling.” according to contralto Katherine Dalin. Rudolph’s music has been performed and/or recorded by VOX3, Third Eye Theater, New Moon Opera, Chicago Fringe Opera, Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Interlochen Arts Academy Chorale, and Opera on Tap-Chicago. Her most recent evening-length opera, Imogen, had its debut with New Moon Opera in 2019. Other commissions include, Lincoln Square (soprano and cello) for the Chicago Fringe Opera City of Works project, Just a Phase (TTBB Choral) for the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus on the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, The Third Night (baritone, bass clarinet, and piano) for VOX3, La Belle Dame sans Merci (SATB chorale) and Incidental Music for The Tempest (chamber music), for Interlochen Center for the Arts. 

She attended Roosevelt University (MM-Vocal Performance) and St. Olaf College (BM-Vocal Performance and Music Theory/Composition) where she studied composition with Dr. Peter Hamlin and Dr. Timothy Mahr. She began composing at the age of 14 under the tutelage of Dr. Alan Hirsch, then finished high school at Interlochen Arts Academy where she advanced her composition and music theory study with Dr. Elaine Broad-Ginsberg.

Bilal Dardai

He/Him

Bilal Dardai is an award-winning dramatist and performer based within the Chicago area. He has worked as an episode writer for HartLife NFP’s acclaimed audio production Unwell (2020 winner of the BBC Audio Award for “Best Podcast/Online Drama”) and Fable & Folly’s Alba Salix, Royal Physician. He is also the creator of Spellcast, an audio production within Six to Start’s Zombies! Run fitness app, and the adaptor of Book-It Repertory’s recent audio production of The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes. He is an alumnus ensemble member and former artistic director of internationally known performance artist collective The Neo-Futurists, and a current ensemble member at Lifeline Theatre, where he has also functioned as writer, performer, and audio consultant for the company’s recent adaptations of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, Miss Holmes, Sense & Sensibility, and a collection of short stories and poems by Edgar Allan Poe. Bilal has been nominated for four Joseph Jefferson Awards as a writer and actor, and has appeared onscreen in independent films Unexpected (dir. Kris Swanberg, 2015) and Operator (dir. Logan Kibens, 2016).

Brad Caleb Lee

Brad Caleb Lee

Amanda Noelle Neal

She/Her

Amanda Noelle Neal is a Black and Filipina multi-disciplinary artist based in Chicago, Illinois. She has performed with Hearing In Color, Thompson Street Opera Company, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Kathleen Battle's Freedom Chorus. Amanda studied vocal performance at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (MM, 2013) and Loyola University New Orleans (BM, 2011). Starting in 2012 she began performing with various bands, studio projects, music improv, and sketch comedy. You can find her in the Chicagoland area and beyond with the Super Rad: Chicago’s Ska Tribute, Kababayan Collective, Forte Chicago, Club Asia, Doki Doki Beats, and Hair Affair. Amanda enjoys streaming video games, playing the ukulele, and spoiling her dogs. @blkbeltsoprano on Instagram, Twitter, and Twitch.

Naomi BrigellShe/HerNaomi Brigell, mezzo-soprano, is quickly gaining recognition as an “expressive, athletic and strong-voiced” presence on the operatic stage. Brigell has sung with opera companies across the country including Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Saratoga, Opera in the Heights, Chicago Opera Theater, and Opera Naples. For the 2021-22 season, Brigell looks forward to making her role debut as Olga in Eugene Onegin with Opera in the Heights and returning to Chicago Fringe Opera to perform in the world premiere of The Widow’s Will. Recent performances include Clara Schumann in Ghost Variations by Tony Manfredonia with Thompson Street Opera Company and Pedrillo in Telemann's Don Quichotte at Camacho’s Wedding with Opera Saratoga. Favorite past roles include Cherubino, Hänsel, and Nancy (Albert Herring). Naomi Brigell is a proud graduate of the University of Houston and Boston University. She is based in Chicago with her partner and her three-legged cat, Champion.

Naomi Brigell

She/Her

Naomi Brigell, mezzo-soprano, is quickly gaining recognition as an “expressive, athletic and strong-voiced” presence on the operatic stage. Brigell has sung with opera companies across the country including Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Saratoga, Opera in the Heights, Chicago Opera Theater, and Opera Naples. For the 2021-22 season, Brigell looks forward to making her role debut as Olga in Eugene Onegin with Opera in the Heights and returning to Chicago Fringe Opera to perform in the world premiere of The Widow’s Will. Recent performances include Clara Schumann in Ghost Variations by Tony Manfredonia with Thompson Street Opera Company and Pedrillo in Telemann's Don Quichotte at Camacho’s Wedding with Opera Saratoga. Favorite past roles include Cherubino, Hänsel, and Nancy (Albert Herring). 

Naomi Brigell is a proud graduate of the University of Houston and Boston University. She is based in Chicago with her partner and her three-legged cat, Champion.

K. F. Jacques

Peter Wesoloski

He/Him

Peter Wesoloski has firmly established himself in the Chicago music world as a soloist and choral singer. Operatic credits include the titular role of Yevgeny Onegin, Count Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro), Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana), and Sam (Trouble in Tahiti) as well as less serious "character" roles such as Benoit/Alcindoro (La Bohème) and Pistola (Falstaff). No stranger to the concert stage, Peter has also been featured as the soloist in the Fauré Requiem, Schubert Mass in G, and as Peter/Pilate (Johannes-Passion). Additionally, Peter is dedicated to the art of song and sings regularly at the Liederstube with pianist Eugenia Cheng, as well as performances for the annual Schubertiade at PianoForte since 2016. He has performed in salons and recitals in London, Amsterdam, Auckland and Sydney, as well as Minneapolis and Chicago. Peter most recently sang the role of Ivan in the new work “Death of Ivan Ilych” with the Thompson Street Opera Company as part of the work’s premier performances in partnership with Opera Orlando.

Catherine O’Shaughnessy

Catherine O’Shaughnessy

George CederquistHe/HimGeorge is the Artistic Director of Chicago Fringe Opera (called “the city’s alt-opera company” by the Chicago Tribune), which premieres experiential, immersive, and site-specific productions of operas composed in English.  Directing credits include WOYZECK, THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER and THE GREAT GOD PAN, as well as the company’s long-running hit show THE ROSINA PROJECT, a Hip-Hop adaptation of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE.  Camera opera filmwork includes CORSAIR for the Decameron Opera Coalition.In addition, George has directed opera scenes at Wolf Trap Opera and Chautauqua Opera, and new productions with the Chicago Sinfonietta, Pittsburgh Opera, the Bay View Music Festival and Chicago Folks Operetta.  An inspiring mentor, George is the Producing Artistic Director of Opera and Theatre at North Park University and has taught courses and masterclasses at Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, DePaul University and the University of Illinois.Now in its seventh season, George hosts OPERA BOX SCORE, America’s Talk Radio Show About Opera, every week on The Dallas Opera Network, Apple Podcasts and WNUR 89.3 FM Chicago.  The show tackles the week’s opera headlines in an irreverent sports talk radio format.A recipient of two American Prizes in Directing, George’s production of SILENT NIGHT was chosen as a winner of Opera America’s 2013 Director-Designer competition.  As one of ten Americans to receive the 2011 German Chancellor Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, George served as a Regieassistent at the Staatstheater Darmstadt.George’s training includes residencies with Pittsburgh Opera, the Merola Opera Program, and Wolf Trap Opera.  He holds an MFA in Directing from Northwestern University and a BA in Theatre Studies and English from Yale University.  A dual US-UK citizen, George is a proud member of Steep Theatre Company and the American Guild of Musical Artists.He lives in Chicago with his wife, their two children, their cat, and their four chickens.To learn more about George, visit gjcederquist.com.

George Cederquist

He/Him

George is the Artistic Director of Chicago Fringe Opera (called “the city’s alt-opera company” by the Chicago Tribune), which premieres experiential, immersive, and site-specific productions of operas composed in English.  Directing credits include WOYZECK, THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER and THE GREAT GOD PAN, as well as the company’s long-running hit show THE ROSINA PROJECT, a Hip-Hop adaptation of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE.  Camera opera filmwork includes CORSAIR for the Decameron Opera Coalition.

In addition, George has directed opera scenes at Wolf Trap Opera and Chautauqua Opera, and new productions with the Chicago Sinfonietta, Pittsburgh Opera, the Bay View Music Festival and Chicago Folks Operetta.  An inspiring mentor, George is the Producing Artistic Director of Opera and Theatre at North Park University and has taught courses and masterclasses at Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, DePaul University and the University of Illinois.

Now in its seventh season, George hosts OPERA BOX SCORE, America’s Talk Radio Show About Opera, every week on The Dallas Opera Network, Apple Podcasts and WNUR 89.3 FM Chicago.  The show tackles the week’s opera headlines in an irreverent sports talk radio format.

A recipient of two American Prizes in Directing, George’s production of SILENT NIGHT was chosen as a winner of Opera America’s 2013 Director-Designer competition.  As one of ten Americans to receive the 2011 German Chancellor Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, George served as a Regieassistent at the Staatstheater Darmstadt.

George’s training includes residencies with Pittsburgh Opera, the Merola Opera Program, and Wolf Trap Opera.  He holds an MFA in Directing from Northwestern University and a BA in Theatre Studies and English from Yale University.  A dual US-UK citizen, George is a proud member of Steep Theatre Company and the American Guild of Musical Artists.

He lives in Chicago with his wife, their two children, their cat, and their four chickens.

To learn more about George, visit gjcederquist.com.



Origin Story

The DOC’s Matt Boresi chats with composer Elizabeth Rudolph, librettist Bilal Dardai, cinematographer K. F. Jacques, and music director Catherine O’Shaughnessy about the creation of “The Widow’s Will”