Greek Gets Groovy in BLACKWATER BALLAD at EMU Theatre

Fans of Greek literature are familiar with the story of Orpheus, the Greek figure who traveled to the underworld to reach his love, Eurydice.  The story, of course, takes place in Greece and contains a host of popular characters such as Hades and Persephone.  Or does it? 

In Blackwater Ballad, a new musical retelling the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, award-winning area playwright Joseph Zettelmaier and local musician Brian Lillie set the classic tale in the bayous of New Orleans in 1932.  Traveling musician Orlandus Duval arrives in the small town of Blackwater Creek and captures the heart of Euralie, the daughter of the town’s sheriff (aptly nicknamed “the Hangman”).  Their plans to wed in secret are dashed by betrayal and murder, forcing Orlandus to make the hardest of choices.  His only hope lies with the hoodoo people who live deep in the swamps. 

The production contains a large cast of fifteen, made up by both graduate and undergraduate students at Eastern Michigan University.  Brian Carbine and Krissi Hardy will play the roles of Orlandus and Euralie.  Other cast members include Jonathon Dalton as Silas, Richard Wright as The Baron, Chris Noud as Cole, Miranda Keebler as Maria, and a host of chorus members playing multiple roles.  

When asked what he was looking forward to the most, cast member Brian Carbine (Orlandus) stated, “It’s a unique experience to be a part of a developing script, and I’m exciting to be working with local musicians.” 

“People should come see Blackwater Ballad because it’s a very well written musical with love, anger, sadness, and laughter all rolled into one” says Krissi hardy (Euralie)

Local musician Brian Lillie provides the music for the production. One of fifteen writers from around the U.S. chosen to attend ASCAP's prestigious Lester Sill Songwriting Workshop in Los Angeles, Brian also became a founding member of The Michigan Artists Music Alliance (MAMA), the official Folk Alliance affiliate of Michigan.  He has been playing around Michigan and Ohio to growing audiences and rave reviews at places like The Ark and the Gypsy Cafe, opening for (most notably) Gillian Welch and Jim Infantino. 

Contributing both Book and Lyrics is Joseph Zettelmaier, a playwright and Michigan native.  He recently saw his plays Dr. Seward’s Dracula and All Childish Things produced at the Planet Ant Theatre.  All Childish Things went on to be nominated for the American Theatre Critics Association Award.  Other plays of his include Language Lessons, The Stillness Between Breaths (Best New Play 2005-The Oakland Press), and Point of Orgin (Best Locally Created Script 2002, Ann Arbor News), all at the Performance Network.  The Stillness Between Breaths also went on to be performed at the National New Play Network’s Festival of New Plays in 2005.  Zettelmaier wrote Night Blooming (Nominee-Best New Script 2006, Ann Arbor News), which performed at the Blackbird Theatre, and Fever Dreams at the Treetown Festival.  Joseph is also an Adjunct Lecturer at Eastern Michigan University, where he teaches Dramatic Composition, the Playwright Mentor for Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, and an Associate Artist at the Performance Network. 

Blackwater Ballad will be performed as a staged reading with a talkback after the performance.  Performances will be November 7 and 8 and 7p.m. in the Sponberg Theatre.  Tickets for this showcase performance are $5, no further discounts apply.