After a successful concert performance as part of the New York Opera Fest, excerpts from The Contract Player come to Dixon Place! This staged performance will feature the completed scenes 1 and 3, as well as the dialogue for scene 2. After the show, there will be a talkback with the creative team: composer Price Walden and librettist/director Lane Williamson.

This world premiere will mark Price Walden's first opera. The Contract Player explores the flashbulb and cigarette smoke of 1947 Hollywood from the LGBTQ+ perspective. Roland Gray—the most successful leading man in the movie business—and Kathleen Sanders—a tough, intelligent woman who is frequently his co-star—share a close bond, eliciting gossip from every corner of the media. Thatcher West—a young screenwriter—harbors a deep love of Roland's films and has written him the role of a lifetime. As filming begins, Thatcher and Roland grow quite close and realize their attraction has become much more than professional. Under the pressure of the HUAC investigations of communist activity, as well as the incessant prying of gossip reporter Letty Lawrence, they are all forced to make some incredibly difficult decisions—both professional and personal.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door, and $12 for students/seniors/IDNYC holders. For more information, please click here.