World Premiere - A Peak Production
February 1 • 7:30 p.m. - Great Seats Still Available!
February 2 • 8:00 p.m. SOLD OUT
February 3 • 3:00 p.m. SOLD OUT
Alexander Kasser Theater
Every seat: $15*
Concept, Direction, Set and Light Design by Robert Wilson
Libretto and Music Composition by
Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon
Book by Jacqueline Woodson
"(An) inspiring story told through unpretentious, fluent songs that are amalgams of folk, rockabilly, and gospel perormed with gorgeously full-throated gusto." - The New York Times
A new opera based on the life of renowned African-American artist Clementine Hunter, Zinnias is an intimate exploration of one of America’s greatest natural talents. Born on a plantation in Natchitoches, Louisiana, Hunter's experiences revealed an innate talent for depicting life in the early 20th century through her paintings. Now, using her artwork and stories, Clementine Hunter’s touching and unique journey is brought to the stage through the collaboration of Robert Wilson, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Toshi Reagon and Jacqueline Woodson. The title of the piece refers to the vibrantly colored flower of the same name which was one of Hunter's favorite subjects to paint throughout her career.
All photos by Stephanie Berger.
Click Through to read more about the production!
New York Times interview with Robert Wilson and Sheryl Sutton
Star Ledger interview with Robert Wilson
NJ Culture Vultures interview with Peak Executive Director Jed Wheeler
New York Times 1/28 review
New Orleans Times-Picayune Review
Coming from NYC? NJ transit runs direct from Penn Station to Montclair State for weekday performances.
World Premiere of Zinnias: The Life of Clementine Hunter produced by Peak Performances at Montclair State University in January 2013. Zinnias: The Life of Clementine Hunter is made possible in part by a grant from the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Creative Campus Innovations Grant Program, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
*Undergraduate students at MSU receive one ticket at no additional charge to every event through the Performing Arts Fee. Tickets may be reserved at the Alexander Kasser Theater Box Office, with a valid student I.D.
