2010 Springtime for Haman

Our 2010 Production was

 

Generously sponsored by Cambridge Innovation Center,
Fairfield Properties, FilmNation Entertainment,
Merrill Lynch, and Morse ConstructionS

All performances were at:
The Peabody School (Directions, map, parking)
70 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140

Saturday, March 20 at 2:30pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, March 21 at 1:30pm and 6:00pm
Saturday, March 27 at 2:30pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, March 28 at 1:30pm and 6:00pm
See when your family and friends performed!

View/download our publicity flyer for this production in COLOR or GRAYSCALE.
Program booklet available by request

In this sequel to Cambridge composer David Bass' romantic opera The Coronation of Esther,
Queen Esther risks her life to save her cousin Mordechai and the Jewish people from Haman, the vengeful Grand Vizier of Persia.
Springtime for Haman is a sensitive and entertaining portrayal of the biblical story in two 50-minute acts and features
lyrical music in a variety of popular and classical styles. Presented by an inter-generational cast in English with side titles.
Read the complete synopsis of the story HERE

 

CLICK HERE for the VIDEOS (bottom of page)

 

Below, read the synopsis, see photos from our performances, and listen to each of the two casts singing (All photos copyright © 2010 by Jonathan Chomitz).

The beautiful Jewess Esther has been chosen to be Queen by the Persian King Ahashveros, but she has not revealed her Jewish heritage, on instruction from her ambitious cousin Mordechai.
Show 8 King's Gate Show 7 King's Gate
Hear King’s Gate sung by Eli S Hear King's Gate sung by Casey McKinney

 

The King has also named Haman, a wealthy Agagite, to be Grand Vizier, replacing the indecisive Memucan.
Show 8 The News Show 7 The News
Hear The News sung by the Citizens of Shushan chorus, with solos by Kiraleah Page Fendell, Jeremy Klein and Heather Bildman Hear The News sung by the Citizens of Shushan chorus, with solos by Joshua Nolan and Sophia Gottlieb

 

The chamberlain Bizzetha announces the arrival of the conceited Haman at the King's Gate.
Show 8 Heeeere's Haman Show 7 Heeeere's Haman
Hear Heeere's Haman! sung by Masha Sten-Clanton Hear Heeere's Haman! sung by Phoebe Reuben

 

Haman commands that all citizens bow down to him.
Show 8 You Must Bow Show 7 You Must Bow
Hear You Must Bow sung by David Sandberg Hear You Must Bow sung by Tom Hamill

 

All of the citizens acquiesce to Haman's demand.
Show 8 King's Gate Chorus Show 7 King's Gate Chorus
Hear King's Gate Chorus sung by the Citizens with solos by Eli S, Sophie Cash and Robbie Kelley  Hear King's Gate Chorus sung by the Citizens with solos by Casey McKinney, Caroline Coolidge and Aimee Ascano

 

But Mordechai refuses citing Jewish law.
Show 8 Eyes of God Show 7 Eyes of God
Hear Eyes of God sung by Eli S Hear Eyes of God sung by Casey McKinney

 

Haman is enraged and vows the annihilation of all Jews, who are traditional enemies of the Agagites.
Show 8 Haman's Rage 1 Show 7 Haman's Rage 1
Hear Haman's Rage 1 sung by David Sandberg with Chloe Adler, Amy Rowe and the Citizens chorus Hear Haman's Rage 1 sung by Tom Hamill with Katie Massie, Isabella Gray and the Citizens chorus

  

That night, Haman dupes the King into approving an unusual order.
Show 8 The Strangest Night Show 7 The Strangest Night
Hear The Strangest Night sung by Lilly Sandberg Hear The Strangest Night sung by Carmen DiBenedictis

 

The edict commands that all Jews in the Persian Empire be killed on a specific date the following spring.
Show 8 The Edict Show 7 The Edict
Hear The Edict sung by Tim Traversy, Sam Rowe, Alex McElhoe, Isabella Jaffe, Eliza Cash, Laura Gill and Nicole McElhoe Hear The Edict sung by Lisa Lovett, Emma Adler, Eloise Botka, Emily Gray, Cullen Fagan, Aviva Gould and Jen Graña

 

Mordechai grieves publicly upon seeing Haman's order, and he is chastised for doing so by Hathach, one of Queen Esther's servants.
Show 8 End of the Jews Show 7 End of the Jews
Hear The End of the Jews
sung by Eli S and Nancy Chomitz		 Hear The End of the Jews
sung by Casey McKinney and Emilija Baksys

 

When Esther hears of Mordechai's despair, she meets with him clandestinely. Mordechai convinces Esther to intercede on behalf of the Jews.
Show 8 Tryst, Time to Be Heard Show 7 Tryst, Time to Be Heard
Hear Tryst and Time to be Heard sung by Eli S and Robyn Lindsay Hear Tryst and Time to be Heard sung by Casey McKinney and Reina Bass

 

Three days later, the King’s chamber is full of guests, entertainment, and hired help.
Show 8 Like Iraq Show 7 Like Iraq
Hear Like Iraq sung by Robert Rogers, Lonnie Bass and the Chorus of Courtiers Hear Like Iraq sung by Nate Burket, Sue Holcomb and the Chorus of Courtiers

 

Despite the danger to herself, Esther enters the King's chambers uninvited, an act punishable by death.
Show 8 Look at Her Show 7 Look at Her
Hear Look At Her sung by Robert Rogers with Steve LaMaster Hear Look At Her sung by Nate Burket with Rob Carney

 

 

The King stays the automatic death sentence, and Esther invites the King and Haman to a banquet at her residence
Show 8 Half My Kingdom 1 Show 7 Half My Kingdom 1
Hear Half My Kingdom 1 sung by Robert Rogers and Robyn Lindsay Hear Half My Kingdom 1 sung by Nate Burket and Reina Bass

The King and Haman gleefully accept.
Show 8 A Feast for Us 1 Show 7 A Feast for Us 1
Hear A Feast for Us 1 sung by Robert Rogers and David Sandberg Hear A Feast for Us 1 sung by Nate Burket and Tom Hamill

 

Haman is particularly flattered to be invited to an exclusive feast with the King and Queen.
Show 8 Inside Lookin' Out 1 Show 7 Inside Lookin' Out 1
Hear Inside Lookin' Out 1 sung by David Sandberg with AJ Liuba, Chris Edel and Eli S, Jeff Bigler on fiddle Hear Inside Lookin' Out 1 sung by Tom Hamill with Julie Viens, Craig Burket and Casey McKinney, Jeff Bigler on fiddle

 

But when Haman leaves the palace, his elation turns once more to rage when Mordechai again refuses to bow. Haman decides that he cannot wait until spring to be rid of Mordechai, and at the suggestion of his friends, he resolves to ask the King for permission to hang Mordechai from a 75 foot gallows immediately.
Show 8 Haman's Rage 2 Show 7 Haman's Rage 2
Hear Haman's Rage 2 sung by David Sandberg with Sophie Cash, Dina Gorelik, Shaina Boyd, Jeff Fried and the chorus of Citizens and Haman's Friends Hear Haman's Rage 2 sung by Tom Hamill with Eva Beram, Zoe Bourgoin-Stone, Emily Gray, Dave Haas and the chorus of Citzens and Haman's Friends

 

Haman returns to the palace to wait for morning, when he can next see the King. Haman's Friends are tickled that Haman is acting their advice.
Show 8 Inside Lookin' Out 2 Show 7 Inside Lookin' Out 2
Hear Inside Lookin' Out 2 sung by Haman's Friends Hear Inside Lookin' Out 2 sung by Haman's Friends

 

Meanwhile, the King cannot sleep and asks a servant to read to him from the chronicles of his own reign. The servant randomly selects a passage from many years back, which happens to describe an incident in which Mordechai saved the King's life by foiling an assassination attempt. When the King learns that Mordechai was never rewarded for his service, he calls Haman in to ask how best to honor a man whom the King favors.
Show 8 Sleepless in Shushan Show 7 Sleepless in Shushan
Hear Sleepless in Shushan sung by Robert Rogers and Shoshi Stern-Robbins Hear Sleepless in Shushan sung by Nate Burket and Tess Carney

 

Haman, thinking the King must be planning to honor him, advises the King to have the honoree be led through the capital city wearing the King's robes, riding the King's horse, led by the King's noblest prince.  The King then orders Haman to lead Mordechai through the city exactly as he described.
Show 8 Haman's Wisdom and Brilliant Show 8 Haman's Wisdom and Brilliant
Hear Haman's Wisdom and Brilliant! sung by Robert Rogers and David Sandberg Hear Haman's Wisdom and Brilliant! sung by Nate Burket and Tom Hamill

 

Haman honors Mordechai, to the cheers of the Citizens of Shushan.
Show 8 Procession Show 7 Procession
Hear Processional Hear Processional

 

Afterwards, Haman makes his way home through the city, feeling disgraced and beset by demons.
Show 8 Haman's Nightmare Show 7 Haman's Nightmare
Hear Haman's Nightmare sung by the Citizens of Shushan Hear Haman's Nightmare sung by the Citizens of Shushan

 

Once home, Haman seeks comfort from his wife Zeresh, with limited success.
Show 8 The Spat Show 7 The Spat
Hear The Spat sung by David Sandberg and Erica Schultz Hear The Spat sung by Tom Hamill and Heidi Freimanis

 

Zeresh tells Haman his pursuit of vengeance against Mordechai and the Jews will only lead to his downfall and begs him to stop.
Show 8 You Cannot Win Show 7 You Cannot Win
Hear You Cannot Win sung by Erica Schultz Hear You Cannot Win sung by Heidi Freimanis

 

Haman nevertheless chooses to go with the King's servants to Esther's feast.
Show 8 Perish 3
Hear If I Perish 3 sung by David Sandberg and Erica Schultz Hear If I Perish 3 sung by Tom Hamill and Heidi Freimanis

 

The Chamberlains scurry about preparing for Esther's feast.
Show 8 Esther's Party Show 7 Esther's Party
Hear Esther's Party sung by the Chamberlains Chorus with solos by Jonathan Edel and Molly Day Hear Esther's Party sung by the Chamberlains Chorus with solos by Hannah Carney and Mattie Glenhaber

 

Esther is apprehensive.
Show 8 How Can I Tell Him? Show 7 How Can I Tell Him?
Hear How Can I Tell Him? sung by Robyn Lindsay with the Chamberlains Chorus Hear How Can I Tell Him? sung by Reina Bass with the Chamberlains Chorus

 

The King and Haman arrive amidst fanfare.
Show 8 A Feast for Us 2 Show 7 A Feast for Us 2
Hear A Feast for Us 2 sung by Lisë Stern, Robert Rogers, David Sandberg and Jacob Klibaner, with the Chamberlains Chorus Hear A Feast for Us 2 sung by Don Picard, Nate Burket, Tom Hamill and James DeBenedictis, with the Chamberlains Chorus

 

Esther reveals her Jewish heritage to the King for the first time and accuses Haman of plotting to kill her and her people.
Show 8 Half My Kingdom 2 Show 7 Half My Kingdom 2
Hear Half My Kingdom 2 sung by Robert Rogers and Robyn Lindsay Hear Half My Kingdom 2 sung by Nate Burket and Reina Bass

 

The King is enraged and storms out of the room while Haman pleads with Esther for mercy. When he returns, the King misinterprets Haman's pleas as a physical assault on Esther.
Show 8 Confrontation Show 7 Confrontation
Hear Confrontation sung by Robert Rogers, Robyn Lindsay and David Sandberg, with the Chamberlains Chorus Hear Confrontation sung by Nate Burket, Reina Bass and Tom Hamill, with the Chamberlains Chorus

 

The King sentences Haman to death, gives all of Haman's property to Esther, and names Mordechai to replace Haman as Grand Vizier.
Show 8 The Sentence Show 7 The Sentence
Hear The Sentence sung by Robert Rogers and Maggie LaMaster Hear The Sentence sung by Nate Burket and Erica Jaquith

 

Mordechai issues an edict which counteracts Haman's order, and the Jews of Persia are saved.
Show 8 Aftermath Show 7 Aftermath
Hear Aftermath sung by Robyn Lindsay, Robert Rogers and Eli S Hear Aftermath sung by Reina Bass, Nate Burket and Casey McKinney

 

All the Citizens and Courtiers bow down to Mordechai out of admiration, but Mordechai insists that everyone rise, for he is no more a god than Haman was.
Show 8 Eyes of God 2 Show 7 Eyes of God 2
Hear Eyes of God 2 sung by Eli S and Robyn Lindsay, with the entire company Hear Eyes of God 2 sung by Casey McKinney and Reina Bass, with the entire company

 

Watch the full video from 2017, Show 7:

 

Watch the full video from 2017, Show 8:

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