Dayton Opera - Dead Man Walking

Dayton Opera - Dead Man Walking

This is the first Midwest performance of the opera in a decade and a truly rare experience. 

Senior & Military Discounts available walkup at Schuster Box Office
$15 Student Rush day of performance: best available seats

Before it was an opera, it was a highly lauded, award-winning movie starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. Before it was a movie, it was a groundbreaking, bestselling book by Sister Helen Prejean, member of the Congregation of St. Joseph. But before that, it was a stormy spiritual journey involving a Catholic nun, a murderer on death row, the victims of his unthinkable actions, and society at large. For Sister Helen and many others, it is a journey that continues today.

In fact, the debate surrounding the opera's main theme is in the news in Ohio and elsewhere in the nation and speaks to our collective view on justice, compassion, the American legal system, and our role as citizens.

At the outset, Sister Prejean was simply following her mission: to provide spiritual help to a prisoner. But her own deeper realization came about as she was confronted with the actuality of how the prisoner's crime tore families asunder. She also found herself becoming painfully aware of the legal and societal process that put people on death row.

With stunning music by Jake Heggie and a magnificent libretto by Terrence McNally, this opera taps into one of the core issues of our day and the whirlwind of emotions that surround it. Whether you've thought about the death penalty or not, this opera is sure to open a path to your heart, soul and mind. After all, isn't that is what great art is all about?

Please Note: Dead Man Walking contains adult content and is recommended for mature audiences.

Pre-performance Talk one hour before performances in the Mead Theatre
Pre-performance Opera Bites before performances in the WintergardenOpera
Preludes pre-performance talk: Dr. Sam Dorf

Links & Tags

The Schuster Center

Dayton Opera - Dead Man Walking is taking place at The Schuster Center, which is located at 1 W 2nd St in Dayton. The Schuster Center - Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center - providing a world-class facility for the best in local, national and international performing artists. Can accommodate up to 2,300 for meetings or 500 banquets.

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance.

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance - The Philharmonic, Ballet, and Opera create art that celebrates life in the Dayton community.

Dayton Opera.

Dayton Opera - Dayton Opera performs in the accoustically-perfect Mead Theatre located in the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Center.