THE POISONER

Longtime Mack City worker Jack is asked to re-start the abandoned city water plant by his new boss Dwayne, the powerful new city manager. Although the mothballed facility has been out of commission for over 50 years, Jack successfully restarts the decrepit plant, switching to local river water expected to save the city millions of dollars. As his beloved godson Sammy falls sick and complaints of dirty water begin to surface among residents, however, Jack finds himself at the center of a complex cover up which threatens to poison him, those he loves, and the citizens of Mack City. Through Jack's deepening awareness of his own culpability, THE POISONER explores systemic racism, genuine community, and philia love that can transcend political and societal barriers.

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THE POISONER orchestration is based in piano and string melodies, with acoustic percussion and synth beats that reflect the contemporary culture of post-industrial, Rust Belt cities. The songs in modern rap tradition give voice to Jack and Dwayne’s diverging characters, with context provided by a Greek-style opposing Chorus. The opera is arranged for 1 lead singer and 3 classically-trained performers that double as an operatic Chorus. It is orchestrated for Piano, Violins (2), Cello, and Synthesizer, with a number traditional instruments providing acoustic percussion including Brushes on Drum, Talking Drum, Timpani, Chimes, Triangle, Shaker, and Cajon.

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THE POISONER is based on the true life events of the Flint water crisis of 2014.