Composed by Marjorie Rusche

Directed by Carl Ratner

Conducted by Juan-Carlso Alarcon

Ellis Anderson at the Piano

Artistic Director Emanuel Cristian-Caraman

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OUR AMERICAN ODYSSEY is inspired by Homer's THE ODYSSEY and the currents of our time, blending the worlds of mythological and modern men and women. Odysseus journeys from an ancient world of battle to become a Wall Street profiteer who slays the monster Cyclops on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. He then journeys to Circe's Malibu Spiritual Retreat and Calypso's Cayman Islands luxury resort before he returns to his true home. Penelope, while beset with grief for the loss of Odysseus, heroically strategizes to get rid of the harassing suitors led by the bully Antinous, telepathically reconnects with Odysseus in Circe's Malibu Spiritual Retreat, and aids her fiber arts studio assistant Clea with her immigration issues. Reunited, Penelope and Odysseus vow to rebuild a safe, loving home and flourishing society in Ithaca (aka America).

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The music is lyric, dramatic, and comic; a contemporary opera/music theater/minimalism/world music blend.

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