Michael Kelly and Shea Owens in NY premiere of Prince of Players

Michael

Barihunks Michael Kelly and Shea Owens will alternate the role of the androgynous Kynaston in the New York debut of Carlisle Floyd's Prince of Players at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. The opera will be performed by the little OPERA theatre of ny (LOTNY) from February 23-26, 2017. Tickets are available online.

Set in 17th Century Restoration England during the reign of King Charles II, Prince of Players follows the story of Edward Kynaston, a Shakespearean actor famous for his performances of the female roles in the Bard's plays. When the King grants permission for women to appear onstage, and forbids male actors from continuing to appear in female roles, Kynaston must relearn his entire craft or face the end of his career.

Adapted from Jeffrey Hatcher's play A Compleat Female Stage Beauty and the subsequent 2004 film Stage Beauty, this new American opera with music and libretto by Carlisle Floyd was commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera. It received its world premiere this past March 2016 at the HGO Studio with barihunk Ben Edquist as Kynaston. The composer has since revised the sections of the piece. The new version will be heard for the first time in this production.

Time is running out quickly to buy your 2017 Barihunks in Bed calendar.