The Radio Hour

Composed by Jake Heggie
Libretto by Gene Scheer

The Radio Hour stars the LOON chorus, with Christa Schulz as Nora.

Whose voice do you hear when you are going through a hard time?
This opera tells the story of Nora, a woman having a very bad day. She seeks solace by locking herself inside her apartment and turning on the radio. Nora is played by a silent actress. The chorus represents the inner monologue of her life and the imaginative possibilities that await her.

Audiences can expect to hear a variety of musical styles, sounds and textures, from radio ads to big band to grand choral singing. The transformative power of voices singing together provides connection, hope, and the promise of joy – essential not just for the protagonist Nora, but everyone navigating modern life.

Two performances only, Friday, January 24 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 PM, at The St. Louis County Depot Mainstage.

Sung in English, with English supertitles projected above the stage.

Reserved Seating $42, $32
Students $12

Cast & Creative Team

When she isn’t singing with LOON, soprano Sydney Adkins (she/her) can be found teaching her students and playing Mario Cart with her fiancé, Sam. She works at Cathedral School.

When she isn’t singing with LOON, baritone Arsha Artang (she/they) can be found rehearsing for their recital and on twitter. They go to school at UMD.

When she isn’t singing with LOON, Emilie Bowman (she/her) can be found singing with the DSSO and Twin Ports Choral Project. She works at Essentia Health in their IT department. 

When she isn’t singing with LOON, soprano Rachel Busko (she/her) can be found outdoors, enjoying the beauty of nature and occasionally travelling to Alaska to help conserve the beluga whales.

When she isn’t singing with LOON, mezzo-soprano Rebecca Farmer (she/her) can be found singing and fiddling around town with various local theaters and musical groups. She works at Caring Bridge as their Growth Manager. 

When she isn’t singing with LOON, Alto Jen Fuchs (she/her) can be found nordic skiing or camping with her husband and their two daughters. She also enjoys singing with Borealis, TPCP, and First Lutheran. Jen is a school social worker by day, and so excited to make her LOON debut!

When he isn’t singing with LOON, Tenor Seth Gudmunsen (he/him) can be found studying music education and hanging out with friends. He goes to school at UW-Superior. 

When she isn’t singing with LOON, mezzo-soprano Katheryn Hamm (she/her) can be found engrossed in her latest reading endeavor with cats on her lap or travelling the globe. She works at Memorial Blood Centers. 

When he isn’t singing with LOON, Baritone Riley Hinnenkamp (he/him) can be found studying to become a captain and working as a bartender. He works at Duluth Tap Exchange and Tap on Tower. 

When she isn’t singing with LOON, soprano Abigail Johnson (she/her) can be found doing sudoku puzzles and reading horror or fantasy novels. She works at Perk Place Coffehouse and goes to school at UMD for Vocal Performance and Spanish Studies. 

When he isn’t singing with LOON, Bass Tom Maloney (he/him) can be found teaching Calculus, Geometry or Choir two blocks away at Harbor City International School.  You may have seen him calling square dances with Tamarack Dance Association, performing with local band Four Mile Portage, Bright Star (Renegade), Once (Duluth Playhouse), What She Said (Duluth Playhouse), or La Bohème (LOON). 

When they aren’t singing with LOON, bass-baritone Gunnar Molstad (they/he) is singing with Borealis and TPCP, or is directing North Star’s 5-8th grade vocal music program, LSYC’s Camerata, and helping out with Denfeld’s theatre!

When she isn’t singing with LOON, Soprano Lisa Munson (She/Her) can be found traveling the world, hiking the trails, cooking, snuggling her pups Poochini and Hildie, or designing and developing corporate training for her job at Freeman Company.

Patrick Russell is a conductor, pianist, singer, composer, and educator. He directs the choir at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Duluth and is a founding member of Twin Ports Choral Project and Borealis Chamber Artists. Patrick is an active theater artist as a music director, pianist, and actor at venues including the Duluth Playhouse, UMD, UWS, LOON, and Zeitgeist.

When she isn’t singing with LOON, Alto Charlotte Taylor (she/her) can be found quilting, stitching, or beading and taking care of her new kittens, Felix and Oscar. She is enjoying retirement. 

When she isn’t singing with LOON, Soprano Keely Waechter (she/her) can be found at game night and creating theater at Denfeld High School.  She works at ISD 709 as a work based learning coordinator.

When she isn’t singing with LOON, Mezzo-soprano Hannah Wheeler (she/her) can be found outdoors, camping or hiking with her family and friends, and dancing in the kitchen to her favorite music while she bakes her favorite treats.

When he isn’t singing with LOON, tenor Sabbastian Wilson-Webb (he/him) can be found composing film scores or relaxing with their favorite video games. They also provide piano accompaniment for the Community Church of Walker on Sunday mornings.

When she isn’t singing with LOON, Soprano Catherine Zbaracki can be found spending time with her husband and two (soon to be three) daughters, and pursuing her masters degree in ECFE Parent Education. She also teaches private music lessons.

Venue Information

The St. Louis County Depot Mainstage, 506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55802. View map

Accessibility Information

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.