An Opera by Jake Heggie & Terrence McNally

Dead Man Walking is an account of faith and redemption based on the prize-winning book by Sister Helen Prejean.

The opera tells the modern-day story of a nun who becomes the spiritual advisor to a condemned man on Louisiana’s death row.

Out of that dreadful intimacy comes a profoundly moving spiritual journey confronting both the plight of the condemned and the rage of the bereaved; the needs of a crime-ridden society and the Christian imperative of love.

When extraordinary people come together, extraordinary things happen and we have gathered an extraordinary principal cast including rising star soprano Ms. Elise Quagliata as Sister Helen and handsome, powerful Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek as the condemned man.

International opera star and veteran of 450 Metropolitan Opera performances Ms. Jane Bunnell will portray the mother of the prisoner. Sensational soprano Susan Brummell Belcher is singing the role of Kitty Hart, the mother of the murdered girl and Nikolas Hedberg as an inmate of the prison.

Master Class in Voice
Conducted by international opera star Ms. Jane Bunnell and her respected husband, baritone Marc Embree. Thursday, April 25 in Lipinsky Hall. The master class is free and open to the public.

Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues
A public forum conducted by the real Sister Helen Prejean, activist, author, and the leading voice on death penalty issues in the country. Friday, April 26 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at UNCA. A reception for Sister Helen follows her talk. Free and open to the public.

If You Go: The Modern American Music Project presents two performances of Dead Man Walking. Friday, April 26, UNCA’s Lipinsky Hall at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at at 3 p.m., Coulter Hall, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC. Tickets are $25-$40. For reserved seating or more information visit www.tmamp.org and www.tix.com