Opus is a 2006 play written by Michael Hollinger about a string quartet preparing for a performance at the White House. The play premiered in 2006 at Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia before premiering Off-Broadway in 2007 at 59E59 Theaters.
Plot
The play involves the Lazara Quartet, a string quartet at the top of their field but with a sudden need to replace violist Dorian, who was just fired. Dorian is a mix of an emotionally unstable man who needs medication and a musical genius who demands the best of the other three. Dorian and his lover Elliot, the first violinist of the quartet, have frequent outbursts, which have slowed the quartet's progress to the point that Dorian is fired because he "steals" an expensive Lazara violin that was given to the group and is played by Elliot. The three remaining members recruit Grace, a talented, younger musician who is unsure of her career path. The four work to perfect their skills as a team preparing for a special White House performance. We also find out that Carl has cancer and is probably dying.
The play culminates after the White House performance with the abrupt reappearance of Dorian. Behind the scenes, Dorian proposed to Carl that the group fire Elliot, rehire Dorian, and keep Grace. Carl, Alan, Grace, and Dorian unite as a bloc and fire Elliot. An argument over possession of the Lazara violin explodes, and Carl takes the instrument from Elliot and smashes it to pieces, saying that the quartet must have "perspective". In the final words of the play, Alan says, "Elliot, Dorian, Carl and me, all of us in our nineties... playing the Adagio from Opus fifty-nine... And we come to a rest in the middle of the movement and stop, just...stop."
Production history Opus first premiered in 2006 at Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia, running from January 12, 2006, through March 5, 2006. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen, the production starred Greg Wood, David Whalen, Douglas Rees, Patrick McNulty and Erica Cuenca.
The play made its New York debut at the 59E59 Theaters as part of the Primary Stages season on October 7, 2007, with David Beach, Mahira Kakkar, Michael Laurence, Douglas Rees and Richard Topol. It was adapted as a radio drama performed in May 2012 by L.A. Theatre Works with Kevin Chamberlin, Jere Burns, Steven Culp and Liza Weil, which was released in September 2012.
Cast and characters CharacterPhiladelphia 2006Off-Broadway 2007ElliotDavid WhalenDavid BeachAlanPatrick McNultyRichard TopolCarlDouglas ReesDorianGreg WoodMichael LaurenceGraceErica CuencaMahira Kakkar
Awards and nominations 2007 Off-Broadway production YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.2008Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Sound DesignJorge Cousineau Outer Critics Circle AwardJohn Gassner AwardMichael HollingerLucille Lortel AwardOutstanding PlayOutstanding DirectorTerrence J. NolenOutstanding Sound DesignJorge Cousineau
References