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Glory Denied

by Tom Cipullo

7:30 pm January 31 and February 7, 2020
2 pm February 2, 2020
Freede Little Theatre
Civic Center Music Hall

The true story of Captain Jim Thompson, the longest-held American prisoner of war in history, and the struggles he faced as he re-entered society.

Shot down over Vietnam in 1964 and captured by the Viet Cong, Captain Thompson was held for nine years. His memories of his beloved wife, Alyce, and their young family kept him going despite the brutal conditions in which he was held. However, upon his release, he returned home to find that Alyce thought he had died in Vietnam. Faced with crushing uncertainty and the prospect of raising their four children alone, Alyce had decided to move on with her life and was living with another man. Jim’s return and attempt to re-integrate himself into a family and an America that he left nine years prior leads to the realization that time cannot heal all wounds.

 Based of the book by Tom Philpott, Glory Denied presents a powerful tale that illustrates some of the issues faced by veterans as they return to everyday society after serving their country overseas. Tom Cipullo’s adaptation has been called “riveting” and an “intimate operatic masterpiece” with music which is “at once complex and accessible” and has been performed at more than 20 opera companies across the United States since its composition in 2007. Glory Denied is truly a American work for our time.

Presented with orchestra in English with supertitles.

Cast:
Older Jim Thompson - André Chiang
Older Alyce Thompson - Saira Frank
Younger Jim Thompson - Willie Casper *
Younger Alyce Thompson - Mary McDowell ^

* Oklahoma connection      ^ Painted Sky Opera premiere

Artistic Staff:
Stage Director - Rob Glaubitz
Music Director - Jan McDaniel
Technical Director - Scott Hynes
Costume Designer - Becky McGuigan
Stage Manager - Lauren Colston