The show must go on

Houston Grand Opera goes through three tenors in La Traviata: Day saved withlittle rehearsal

Chad Shelton is not new to the role — he played Alfredo in (among others)Central City Opera's 2007 production of La Traviata.
Photo by Cory Weaver/Central City Opera
Bryan Hymel as Alfredo and Albina Shagimuratova as Violetta during a HoustonGrand Opera dress rehearsal for La Traviata.
Photo by Felix Sanchez
David Lomelí became ill during the last week of rehearsal.
Hoebermann Studio for David Lomelí/Facebook

Young Mexican tenor David Lomelí was slated to play Alfredo Germont in Houston Grand Opera's production of Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata. But just days before the opening, Lomelí succumbed to illness, and the HGO scrambled for a replacement.

Elizabeth Baisley, director of communications for the Houston Grand Opera, told CultureMap that the company typically doesn't need understudies. Although a sick lead isn't unheard of, it is uncommon.

New Orleans native Bryan Hymel stepped in at the last minute for a praiseworthy debut at the HGO — but the second tenor, too, had to call it quits after only two performances, this time due to prior commitments in London (as the Prince in Dvorak's Rusalka at the Royal Opera House).

"It was very fortuitous that we found two great tenors to fill the shoes," Baisley tells CultureMap.

As they say, the show must go on.

Houstonian and HGO-alumnus Chad Shelton joined the company for Wednesday night's performance, as the third tenor to play Alfredo.

"It was very fortuitous that we found two great tenors to fill the shoes," Baisley tells CultureMap. "And it was a lot of fun to be able to welcome home someone who started out here."

With no time for a full run-through, Shelton took the stage after just a brief rehearsal with assistant director Tim Claydon, Albina Shagimuratova (who plays Violetta Valéry), and several other members of the cast. Someone who watched the performance tells CultureMap that Shelton was magnificent, and it looked like the cast had been performing together for months.

All unforeseen circumstances barred, Shelton will remain with the company for the remainder of La Traviata, which runs through Feb. 12 at the Wortham Theater Center.

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taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

Courtesy of Jason's Lyric

Most of the movie's cast will appear in the play.

Next year, Houston writer/producer/director/promoter Je’Caryous Johnson will be bringing another beloved Black movie to the live stage.

Jason’s Lyric will join New Jack City and Set It Off in the lineup of ‘90s Black-movie favorites that Johnson has adapted for the stage. The 1994 made-in-Houston drama stars Allen Payne and a pre-Will Smith Jada Pinkett as young lovers trying to maintain a relationship as conflicts and obstacles keep getting in the way.

Jason’s Lyric Live will go on a nationwide, 22-city tour, premiering right here in H-Town on Thursday, February 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Houston is my home, and bringing Jason’s Lyric Live to life here first is my way of paying homage to the city and its people who inspired this story,” Johnson said in a statement. “This is more than a play; it’s a love letter to the community.”

Payne will reprise his role as Jason, with actress/model Eva Marcille stepping in Pinkett’s role as Lyric. Naughty by Nature rapper Treach, who played Lyric’s criminal big brother Alonzo in the movie, will also return to the role for the stage production. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society), K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop), and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Welcome Back, Kotter) will round out the cast.

"Jason’s Lyric is one of the films that defined my career as an actor,” Payne said. “To bring it to life on stage for audiences who loved the movie — and a new generation experiencing it for the first time — is an incredible honor."

Marcille is also psyched for the show, taking on the role that Pinkett memorably brought to life. "Lyric is a character who embodies resilience and hope, and I’m honored to bring her story to life on stage,” Marcille said.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 13, at 10 am. For a full list of dates and ticket information, visit the website.

The show must go on

Houston Grand Opera goes through three tenors in La Traviata: Day saved withlittle rehearsal

taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

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