Will Liverman and award-winning producer, DJ, and multi-genre artist DJ King Rico are set to present a brand new version of their critically-acclaimed soul opera “The Factotum.”

The production will be shown at for the students of The Governor’s School for the Arts on May 1 and 2, 2026 at Wells Theater in Norfolk, VA.

Titled “Factotum: Groom & Glow Lounge,” the duo has updated its genre-blending soul opera inspired by Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” setting the classic comedy inside a contemporary Black barbershop and beauty salon, blending opera, hip-hop, gospel, funk, neo-soul, and R&B into a bold new theatrical experience.

Liverman and Rico co-created the original “The Factotum” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2023. This new version expands the gender possibilities of the opera’s characters, creating a rare new opera that is accessible for students in an educational setting. “Groom & Glow Lounge” is not just a scaled version of the original, it is a purpose-built work that meets students where they are while centering Black women’s leadership, care, and resilience. This version of “The Factotum” shifts the focus from a large, multi-plot adult narrative to a clear, character-driven story more accessible and resonant for high school students.

In a statement Liverman said, “The Governor’s School for the Arts changed the entire course of my life. It was the first place where I truly saw myself as an artist and where I was introduced to opera. Meeting Alan Fischer and Robert Brown was transformative. They were two of the most integral teachers in my life and the first people who made me believe that singing could be more than a passion. GSA also introduced me to what diversity looks like in the arts at an early age. That early exposure shaped how I see the world and how I approach my work. It taught me that excellence and diversity belong in the same space and that our stories matter. The friendships I made there have lasted a lifetime. It is also where I met Rico, who is now my creative partner. The fact that we are writing an opera for The Governor’s School today feels like a full-circle moment. It is such incredible inspiration to work with these students on this piece. I dedicate this experience in memory of Robert Brown and GSA alum, Ira Harris.”