By STU CLAMPITT
news@readthereporter.com
Indianapolis Opera (IO) is putting the life of a jazz icon on stage next spring when they stage the Indiana debut of Charlie Parker’s Yardbird at a venue with deep historical ties to Parker’s life and time.
IO General Director David Starkey told The Reporter Charlie Parker’s Yardbird is the most prolific black opera of the 21st century so far. The show was originally debuted in 2015 at Opera Philadelphia.
“It was originally written for two of the biggest African American opera superstars, Angela Brown and Larry Brownlee, both Indiana University graduates,” Starkey said. “Angela Brown is obviously a native in Indianapolis who lives here full time. She is our [IO’s] artistic cultural ambassador on staff. This is a passion project for all of us to debut that show here. Angela’s going to be reprising the role of Addie Parker, who was the mother of Charlie. She’s going to be bringing her most prestigious success to the stage and an all-star international cast of the best singers in the world that have done this show coming together.”
The show will stage at Madam Walker Theater, 617 Indiana Ave., Indianapolis, a location where Charlie Walker and Dizzy Gillespie both played.
“They would slide out of Chicago and test shows down here,” Starkey said. “This this is actually the first theater in Indiana that this show will be in. That is a location that Charlie Parker actually performed in. It’s historic. It’s relevant. It is a mostly black cast in a show on one of the most prolific black artists of the 20th century. And there is a story that is very poignant to our community.”
Charlie Parker’s Yardbird is a one-act opera featuring roles based on Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Pannonica de Koenigswarter, Chan Parker, and Charlie Parker’s wives and mother.
“I think I think the audience in Hamilton County is going to just be so attracted to this because of that historical component that is very unique to Indiana and Indianapolis,” Starkey said. “I think Hamilton County has a great deal of people who love the history of the central part of the state. And I love the interest that they’ve shown in historical musical acts and entertainment that that are pretty sophisticated. I love that that is really growing mightily in the Hamilton County market.”
Charlie Parker’s Yardbird will stage at Madam Walker Theater next March. Keep reading The Reporter for updates and interviews as details become available. You can buy tickets now online at indyopera.org/yardbird.html.