Bum Phillips All American Opera – Location, Tickets, Reviews
Bum Phillips All American Opera is a new contemporary opera about Bum Phillips, the legendary football coach of the Houston Oilers in the 1970s. Luke Leonard of the Monk Parrots theater company conceptualized and directed the production. Peter Stopschinski of the Rude Mechanicals theater company composed the music and Kirk Lynn, also from the Rude Mechs, wrote the libretto. Bum Phillips is celebrating its world premiere at La MaMa this month.
Short vignettes convey the story of Phillips’ professional and personal life, including how he came to be known as “Bum,” his military service during World War II, and key moments in his football career with an emphasis on playoff wins and losses. The opera celebrates Phillips’ distinctly Texan demeanor, as well as the ups and downs that characterized his career.
Maxamoo
The unlikely mix of football and opera in Bum Phillips proves to be compelling combination. There are many elements of Bum Phillips that make it a unique theater and opera going experience. First, it tells a contemporary story. Although there’s been an upsurge in contemporary opera production recently, it is still unusual to attend an opera about modern life. Second, it tells a true story. There are no twists of mistaken identity or leaps of logic requiring super human extensions of disbelief. Third, the libretto is in plain English (with a Texas accent and occasional curse words). Fourth, the characters wear brightly colored, recognizable clothing and the props are everyday items. Fifth, there is genuine suspense, thanks to the intrinsically unpredictable nature of sports. Sixth, it’s funny both because it includes actual jokes and because it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The production would benefit from some tweaking to smooth the transitions from scene to scene and there were moments of uneven performances in minor roles, most noticeable with issues related to volume and enunciation. On the whole, however, we applaud this production.
The stodgy, traditional opera world would be wise to take notice of Bum Phillips. It’s exactly that kind of opera that can build bridges to non-traditional audiences, NOT because it is about football, very little prior knowledge of football is required to enjoy this show, but because it tells a human story that people can relate to and it does so in an accessible way.
Recommended if . . .
You love opera and are eager to discover something new in the field;
You’ve never been to the opera, want to give it a try, but loathe the notion sitting through three hours of singing in a foreign language; or
You’re a proud Texan.
Note: Interest in football is optional.
Public Opinion
Have you seen Bum Phillips All American Opera? What did you think? Comment below or tweet to us at @maxamoo.
Critics’ Reviews
TheaterMania
The late coach of the Houston Oilers comes out singing in this operatic tribute from composer Peter Stopschinski and Monk Parrots.
TICKETS
$10-$25 (click here for tickets)
DATES
Performances through March 30, 2014
LOCATION
Ellen Stewart Theater, La MaMa
66 E. 4th Street
New York City
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RUNNING TIME
2 hours, 1 intermission
NEWS
Sports on Earth
A Night at the Bum Phillips Opera
CAST & CREW
(Partial list)
Conceived and directed by Luke Leonard
Libretto by Kirk Lynn
Music by Peter Stopschinski
Featuring Alison Bolshoi, Chelsea Burris, Jessie Dean, Sophie Delphis, Amanda Dpuy, Emmanuel Elpenord, Hunter Frederick, John Harlacher, John Harmon, Morgan Hooper, Briana Elyse Hunter, Mariah Ilardi-Lowy, Victor Khodadad, Megan Lalley, Gates Leonard, Joey LePage, Patrick Mulryan, Anna Noggle, Gary Ramsey, Faith Redding, Anlami Shaw, John Smiley, Hugo Vera