Opera Rocks the Country
Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 6:00pm – SOLD OUT!
The Church Studio
304 S Trenton Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120
Come to rock legend Leon Russell’s sanctuary, The Church Studio, for a night of opera and country music. The night begins with Henry Mollicone’s short Wild West opera The Face on the Barroom Floor, followed by dancing, drinks, and live country music by Oklahoma honky-tonk band Three Chord Justice. Cash bar.
Composed by Henry Mollicone
Libretto by John S. Bowman
Sung in English with the original orchestration
30 minute performance of The Face on the Barroom Floor followed by country music by Three Chord Justice
Meet the Artists
Stephanie Washington
Isabella/Madeline
Justin Kroll
Larry/Matt
Christian Bester
Tom/John
Synopsis
Face on the Barroom Floor
The opera tells two tales, separated in time but parallel in characters and theme. In present day Central City, CO, Isabel, a member of the opera chorus, and her friend Larry visit the Teller House bar. Larry orders champagne and asks about the face painted on the floor. Tom, the bartender, tells the story, which is enacted as he becomes a 19th century bartender named John, who welcomes the bargirl Madeline (played by Isabel) as they toast to the future.
A disheveled traveler, Matt (played by Larry), enters and orders drinks for all while Madeline is asked to sing. Unable to pay for the drinks, Matt offers instead to paint a portrait on the barroom floor of the only woman he ever loved. John discovers the portrait is of Madeline. The two men fight until Madeline throws herself between them, with tragic consequences. Larry, now back in the twentieth century, laughs drunkenly at the old legend and forces Isabel to dance with him. Tom now reveals his past romantic relationship with Isabel, and challenges Larry. Events in the past repeat themselves in the present, continuing the legend of the face on the barroom floor.
Meet the Band
Formed in March 2008 by Liz Grace in San Diego, Three Chord Justice was the only true REAL Country Honky Tonk dance band in Southern California. Hailing from Missoula Montana singer/songwriter Liz Grace sings TCJ through a mix of classic country influenced originals and handpicked covers from the likes of Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Buck Owens, Patsy Cline and other country greats. She got an early start singing in bars and honky-tonks, far before legal age, having to wait in alleys during band breaks. TCJ is now made up of Tulsa Oklahoma’s finest country musicians while providing the backbone for lead singer Liz Grace.
The Venue
The historic church became a recording studio and home office for Shelter Records in the early 1970s. At the beginning of 1915, it started as Grace Methodist Episcopal Church and was one of the earliest churches built in our new city; even later, it survived the race riots of 1921. By 1928, it had become the First United Brethren Church and remained so until at least 1946. In 1948, it began appearing in city directories as the First Evangelical United Brethren Church until 1961, when it was the First Church of God. Originally a brick church, the current “castle” stone was placed in the mid-1950s.
Leon Russell purchased the church in 1972 and The Church Studio was conceived. The mysterious-looking stone structure served as a creative workshop for songwriters, musicians, engineers, and singers. Successful and award-winning talent such as Leon Russell, Tom Petty, JJ Cale, Jimmy Buffett, Georgie Fame, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Asleep at the Wheel, Michael Bolton, The GAP Band, Kansas, Mary McCreary, Freddie King, Jimmy Markham, Dwight Twilley, Phoebe Snow, Peter Tosh, Jamie Oldaker, Walt Richmond, David Teegarden, Wolfman Jack and many more hung out or recorded in the studio.
After Leon’s time in the church, a few of the artists that recorded included The Tractors, Dustin Pittsley, Wink Burcham, Hanson, Roy Clark, Freddy Fender, Carmen, Ronnie Dunn, Red Dirt Rangers, Paul Benjaman, Admiral Twin, Jesse Aycock and even Leon Russell himself, were inspired in The Church Studio under the ownership of either Steve and Charlene Ripley or Randy and Debbie Miller.
With the latest owners Ivan Acosta and Teresa Knox, Tulsa Sound, and Leon Russell fans, the focus is on restoration and rehabilitation first; and then recording studio, audio engineering school, museum, and event space; second. The renovation was completed in 2022. Being caretakers of Leon’s legacy is of the utmost importance to the new owners while establishing a collaborative space and entertainment network.
Season News
Meet Taylor Neill: Tulsa Opera’s New Patron Services Manager
When you call the Tulsa Opera Box Office or step up to Will Call at a performance, a smiling new face will greet you: Taylor Neill, who recently joined the Tulsa Opera staff in the role of Patron Services Manager. Let’s meet her! Tulsa Opera: Can you share a little...