Cabrillo College will present “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a fully staged major choral work on the death of a young gay man March 5, 6, 7, 8 and March 12, 13, 14, 15 at Crocker Theater.
Shepard was beaten and left to die in the Wyoming countryside 22 years ago. His death catalyzed a generation of poets, musicians and playwrights to change our attitudes about being different.
Composed by Craig Hella Johnson, the oratorio is based on Shepard’s life, the hate crime of his death, and the national outpouring of compassion that followed.
It has been called the first important major musical work of the 21st century.
Johnson presented the production at Stanford University last year.
The reviewer of a production in San Antonio called it unsettling but ultimately uplifting, calling out to society for justice.
The musical director of the Cabrillo production is Cheryl Anderson, Cabrillo’s director of vocal and choral activities. She is a recipient of the Gail Rich Award, given to “individuals who inspire our diverse and culturally-rich community” and was Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year in 2018.
The stage director is Joseph Ribeiro, a Fulbright Scholar with 50 years of international experience in education, dramatic art, opera, musicals, film and television. He has developed parallel careers as an educator and performing artist in South Africa and the United States, also working as an acting and interpretation coach.
Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $41.50, general, $39.50 students, and $36.50 seniors. For tickets, go to cabrillovapa.com/events or call the Box Office: 831-479-6154.