Annapolis to Present ‘Susannah,’ Say Goodbye to Major Artistic Leaders

By David Salazar

Annapolis Opera is set to present “Susannah,” the final production of its 2019-20 season and also the last for some of the company’s major artistic leaders.

The presentations, which are set for March 13 and 15 at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, will be the last with Artistic Director Ronald Gretz and Stage Director Braxton Peters at the helm. Gretz has led the company for 37 years and is retiring. Meanwhile Peters has worked with the organization for 27 years.

The opera will star Colleen Daly in the title role with Matthew Vickers as Sam Polk and Ben Wager as Olin Blitch. Other cast members include Ian McEuen, Michael Nansel, Andrew Sauvageau, James Bailey, Vincen Grana, Madeleine Gray, Connie Coffelt, Kate Jackman, and Kyle Engler.

“We are extremely excited to bring Susannah to the stage as it is the most performed American opera second only to ‘Porgy and Bess,’” stated Kathy Swekel, General Director at Annapolis Opera in a press release. “We believe that the Opera Insight Series leading up to the performances will allow audience members to gain a deeper look into this uniquely American work and understand why it is still relevant to us today. Because of these timely themes, it’s especially apt to present this opera during both Women’s History Month and Maryland’s declared Year of the Woman.”

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