Opera Philadelphia is set to conclude the 2025-26 Season with the company’s return to the Miller Theater for the Philadelphia Premiere of ”The Black Clown,” based on the poetry of Langston Hughes and composed Michael Schachter.

The opera will be performed from May 14 to 17 and will star music supervisor and bass-baritone Davóne Tines performing in the title role.

Directed by Zack Winokur, this music theater experience fuses vaudeville, gospel, opera, jazz, and spirituals.

In a statement Tines said, “Langston Hughes’ expansive and penetrating engagement with the life of the other has been a guiding salve since I was first introduced to his work in elementary school. This production provides the opportunity to harness Hughes’ words and my life experience as a Black man to claim humanity for myself, my race, and all people.”

Hughes’ message is realized by an ensemble of twelve performers, choreography by Chanel DaSilva, additional arrangements by Jaret London, scenic and costume design by Carlos Soto, lighting design by John Torres, sound design by Kai Harada, and wig and hair design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt.