PORTIA WILLIAMS

PDT Staff Writer

The local production company SOLO will present “The Mother of Us All,” a dramatic portrayal which brings to life Susan B. Anthony’s role in Women’s Suffrage on Sept. 9, 2012, at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. for one show only.

SOLO, which stands for Southern Ohio Light Opera, is an independent production company which established in 1984. John Houston and Stan Workman, two members of SOLO, said they are looking forward to the upcoming production of “The Mother of Us All,” and are confident that it will inspire all who view it.

John Houston’s said it was his idea to put the opera into production, and was purposefully chosen to do around election time to enlighten and encourage voters to go out and vote.

“It is more of a dramatic telling which embodies American history, it is more like a pageant that chronicles Susan B. Anthony’s life” Houston said.

Susan B. Anthony, an American civil rights leader who lived from 1820 to 1906, played a major role in making women’s suffrage in America a reality.

“’The Mother of Us All’ hits home about the value of the right to vote,” Workman said.

“The Mother of Us All” is an original work of by Virgil Thomson and Gertrude Stein, created in 1947. SOLO’s version of “The Mother of Us All” is a multimedia production which infuses photographs, music, and story-telling.

“Telling stories through music can have a lot of impact,” Workman said. “The strength of words has an impact that cannot be denied,” Workman said.

The title role of Susan B. Anthony will be performed by the noted soprano, Faith Esham. The remainder of the cast will be drawn from SOLO veterans and newcomers including: Mary Baughman, Amy Bergandine, Chad Bragdon, Shirley Crothers, Neil DeAtley, Mariah Minter Ginn, John Huston, Michelle Imes, Emily Smith, Justin Wiget, Stanley Workman, Jr., and others. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Janice Cooley Suverkrop, pianist. The production is under the artistic direction of Deanna Caudill, John Huston, and Stanley Workman, Jr.

“In our society today, especially with our younger generation, many people take the right to vote for granted, and do not realize the impact that voting can make. ‘The Mother Of Us All’ will serve as a compelling reminder that voting is a right, and a privilege which we should willingly exercise,” Workman said.

Tickets for “The Mother of Us All” can be purchased at the McKinley box office at 740-351-3600.

Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234 or portiawilliams@heartlandpublications.com.