(Photo credit: Dario Acosta)

One librettist, one actor, four singers, and ten composers join forces to make opera in a brand-new way as Opera Philadelphia presents the world premiere of “Complications in Sue.”

This new opera unfolds in 10 vignettes by Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning playwright Michael R. Jackson in his operatic debut. Each scene takes place in a different decade in the life of the main character, named Sue, performed by Justin Vivian Bond. Soprano Kiera Duffy, mezzo-soprano Rehanna Thelwell, tenor Nicky Spence, and bass-baritone Nicholas Newton perform alongside Bond as different characters in Sue’s life.

Each up scene is scored by a different composer, including the 2025-26 Composer in Residence, Nathalie Joachim, Missy Mazzoli, Rene Orth, Nico Muhly, Andy Akiho, Alistair Coleman, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Kamala Sankaram, Dan Schlosberg, and Errollyn Wallen. Costumes are designed by Jonathan Anderson. Co-directors are Zack Winokur and Raja Feather Kelly and conductor Caren Levine makes her Opera Philadelphia debut at the podium.

“I feel like I have been trying to innovate in musical theater for several years now, and with “Complications in Sue” I am challenging myself by stretching into this new form that I have long admired as an audience member,” Jackson said in a press release. “The scope and scale of opera really speak to me, so when Anthony invited me to dip my toe in the waters of the form, I saw it as an exciting opportunity to leave my comfort zone. Examining a woman’s life from birth to death began as a very collaborative storytelling idea that I am now running with, and I look forward to embracing the next stage of collaboration with this group of amazing composers, who will bring a new scale of sound to the drama.”

Before its world premiere, Opera Philadelphia will preview “Complications in Sue” at Works & Process at the Guggenheim in New York City. Anthony Roth Costanzo, Michael R. Jackson, and co-directors Zack Winokur and Raja Feather Kelly will present excerpts from the opera on Jan. 16, 2026 at 7 pm.

The premiere will take place at the Academy of Music on Feb. 4, 5, 6, and 8, 2026.

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