Genre-defying chamber opera makes Michigan premiere

Art

Feb 16

Written By Staff

Conductor Molly Xiu Turner
Photo courtesy of Opera Grand Rapids

Opera Grand Rapids will present the Michigan premiere of Stuck Elevator, a bold and timely chamber opera by composer Byron Au Yong with libretto by Aaron Jafferis, on February 20 and 21. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Betty Van Andel Opera Center, 1320 Fulton St. E.

Inspired by the true story of an undocumented Chinese immigrant trapped inside a Bronx elevator for 81 hours, Stuck Elevator blurs the boundaries between lived experience and artistic expression. Fusing opera, hip-hop, and spoken word, the work gives voice to stories often unheard, illuminating the psychological, emotional, and systemic pressures shaping immigrant life in urban America.

As conversations around immigration, identity, and belonging continue to shape the national discourse, Stuck Elevator arrives with striking immediacy. Its narrative reflects a moment where reality and art echo one another, underscoring opera’s enduring power to respond to the world as it is, not only as it was.

“Stuck Elevator is a powerful reminder that opera can – and must – engage directly with the realities of our time,” said Emilee Shen, Executive Director, Opera Grand Rapids. “This work invites audiences to slow down, listen deeply and recognize the human stories unfolding around us every day. Presenting the Michigan premiere is both an artistic responsibility and a reflection of Opera Grand Rapids’ commitment to meaningful, contemporary storytelling.”

This landmark production marks a significant milestone in the opera’s performance history. Opera Grand Rapids’ staging features an all-native Chinese-speaking cast and the first all-Asian American and Pacific Islander creative team to bring Stuck Elevator to the stage. The production is led by visionary director Mo Zho, whose work centers on authenticity, cultural specificity, and contemporary relevance.

Tickets for Stuck Elevator are available at www.operagr.org or by calling the Opera Grand Rapids box office at (616) 451-2741 ext. 3.

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