Prince of Players

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, and since, the composer has slightly revised the sections of the piece. The new version will be heard for the first time in this production.