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Blind Injustice (2019 Opera)
''"Blind Injustice (opera)" redirects here. For other media with the same name, see [Blind Injustice (disambiguation)].''

Blind Injustice is an opera with music by Scott Davenport Richard and libretto by David Cote. Based on the [ 2017 English book of the same name] by [Mark Godsey], its central plot revolves around four true stories of wrongfully-incarcerated individuals in Ohio.

The opera opened in [Cincinnati, Ohio] at the [Cincinnati Opera] on July 22, 2019 with a limited, sold-out run that extended through July 27, 2019.

Development
In early 2017, the young professionals committee of the Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) agreed to host a happy hour with the Young Professionals Choral Collective (YPCC). The idea was for the two groups to have a fun night of networking, social justice, and song over a few beers. KellyAnn Nelson, the founding director of YPCC, was intrigued by OIP's work in freeing the innocent. She thought the two groups could collaborate on something bigger than a happy hour - much bigger. She reached out to her contacts at Cincinnati Opera to see if the Opera wanted to work with YPCC to share OIP's message through music.

Following discussions about which of the 28 OIP cases of innocents freed would make the best material for storytelling through song, the Opera sent a written proposal outlining the basic concept for a full-blown original opera called Blind Injustice to make its world premiere in July 2019 in Cincinnati's Music Hall.

In late 2017, the Opera's creative team, including librettist David Cote and stage director Robin Guarino, interviewed the six exonerees whose stories would be told in the opera. The exonerees' interview language was utilized to create the first draft of the libretto in early 2018. Composer Scott Davenport Richards began work in this time as well, releasing songs throughout 2018 to the creative team. By late summer of 2018, the Opera and YPCC outlined the audition process for the chorus, who were selected in September and began work on the pieces in preparation for a workshop in November.

In November 2018, a workshop was held to introduce some of the musical numbers to the exonerees themselves as well as collect creative feedback. Several of the cast members at the workshop remained in their roles for the production. By early 2019, all musical pieces had been written and many cast members had been finalized. Select pieces were performed at YPCC events to promote the opera.

In the summer of 2019, once all roles were filled, rehearsals for staging and tech began. By mid-July, the show was on its feet and preparing for its world-premiere opening on July 22, 2019. Blind Injustice played for five shows to sold-out audiences in the Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall.

Synopsis
The story unfolds in one act and cuts between four cases.

The Prosecutor introduces himself and his perspective on criminal justice ("What Makes a Person"). The Defense Attorney explains the fallacies of the Prosecutor's perspective and offers a look inside prosecutors' offices ("I Used to Be That Guy", "Getting the Job Done"). Alesha, a law student, explains the work of the Ohio Innocence Project and the cases she has seen ("Find the Fault").

Her first case is is Nancy Smith, a Head Start bus driver from Lorain Ohio, who was accused of molesting the children she drove. Despite a complete lack of evidence, Nancy was convicted on coached testimony ("Nancy's Story"). Second, the East Cleveland 3 - Laurese Glover, Eugene Johnson, and Derrick Wheatt - were driving in their neighborhood when they witnessed one man shoot another. Their convictions were based on a teenager's shaky testimony and discredited forensic evidence ("Scene of the Crime"). A group of scientists blithely extol the wonder of forensics ("The Wonder of Forensics").

Forensic details of the rape and murder of Judith Johnson and the rape of her young granddaughter are presented ("Judith Johnson"). Clarence Elkins, Johnson's son-in-law, was arrested for those crimes, despite an alibi and the absence of his DNA at the crime scene. The only evidence was his traumatized niece saying her attacker resembled Clarence ("Clarence's Story"). Lastly, Rickey Jackson, along with his two friends, was falsely identified in a murder by a boy who made up the story, and was later forced to stick to that story by the police. Rickey was sent to death row; the sentence was later reduced to life in prison ("Meet Rickey Jackson").

Mothers teach their children how to lie to convict Nancy ("What the Children Said"). The exonerees describe their charges while society proclaims them guilty ("Guilty").

Each exoneree describes life behind bars. Clarence recalls a panic attack ("Clarence in Hell"). Laurses describes solitary confinement ("The Hole"). Nancy prays passionately to God for strength ("The Shame of Lorain"). Eugene gets a taste of freedom, but has a nightmarish return ("Eugene is Free", "Cuyahoga"). Derrick and his mother remain hopeful and dream of release ("Visiting Day").

While incarcerated, each person finds activities to pass the years and maintain their dignity. Some read, some paint, some pray ("Visiting Day", "You Got to Act as If"). The Ohio Innocence Project gets involved and uncovers cracks in the cases ("Cracks in the Case"). Clarence even helps to secure the evidence to free himself ("Earl Mann").

The Prosecutor refuses to accept such miscarriages of justice. The Defense Attorney and Alesha confront him. Nancy, Rickey, Clarence, and the East Cleveland 3 join in, urging the Prosecutor to see the truth. Breaking down, the Prosecutor shouts, "If I can't do my job, then no one in this room is safe!" ("Blind")

Each wrongfully-convicted person tells the story of their exoneration ("Exonerated"). They reunite and learn how each is getting on in life ("Reunion"). The Defense Attorney and Alesha receive bad news about another client: the judge is blocking evidence on a death-penalty case. But they'll keep fighting. In the finale, everyone asks: What makes a person strong enough to endure being wrongfully convicted? The Prosecutor wonders if he can live with doubt. The exonerees declare their freedom ("Reunion Finale").

Original Cast
The original cast of the premiere production of Blind Injustice, in order of vocal appearance: The chorus was comprised of members of Cincinnati's [Young Professionals Choral Collective]. They were joined by additional [AGMA] choristers.

Musical Numbers
Blind Injustice is comprised of one 90-minute Act:


 * Overture/Prologue
 * "What Makes a Person?" - Prosecutor, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "I Used to Be That Guy" - Defense Attorney
 * "Getting the Job Done" - Prosecutor, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Find the Fault" - Alesha
 * "Nancy's Story" - Alesha, Nancy Smith
 * "Scene of the Crime" - Laurese, Derrick, Eugene, Alesha
 * "The Wonder of Forensics" - Ensemble, Prosecutor, Chorus
 * "Judith Johnson" - Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Clarence's Story" - Clarence, Prosecutor, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Meet Rickey Jackson" - Rickey, Prosecutor, Defense, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "What the Children Said" - Chorus
 * "Guilty" - Nancy, Laurese, Derrick, Eugene, Clarence, Rickey
 * "Clarence in Hell" - Clarence, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "The Hole" - Laurese
 * "The Shame of Lorain" - Nancy, Alesha, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Eugene is Free" - Eugene, Defense Attorney, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Cuyahoga" - Derrick, Laurese, Eugene
 * "Visiting Day" - Derrick, Derrick's Mother
 * "Coping-Reading" - Nancy, Laurese, Clarence, Derrick, Eugene, Rickey, Ensemble
 * "You Got to Act as If" - Rickey, Clarence, Laurese, Derrick, Eugene, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Cracks in the Case" - Prosecutor, Alesha, Defense Attorney, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Earl Mann" - Clarence, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Blind" - Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Laurese, Derrick, Eugene, Nancy, Alesha, Rickey, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Exonerated" - Clarence, Laurese, Defense Attorney, Eugene, Nancy, Rickey, Ensemble, Chorus
 * "Reunion" - Alesha, Nancy, Clarence, Rickey, Eugene, Derrick, Defense Attorney, Prosecutor
 * "Reunion Finale" - All

Recording
The production crew recorded each performance. In early August 2019, the Cincinnati Opera announced that a commercial original cast recording will be made from the recordings of the performances.

Critical Reception
The Wall Street Journal (https://www.wsj.com/articles/blind-injustice-review-stories-of-the-innocent-11564169424) reviewed Blind Injustice very positively, calling the cast "uniformly excellent" and praising the opera for its "skillful libretto" and "tuneful, jazz-inflected score." Also of note were conductor John Morris Russell who "segued easily among musical genres" and the "excellent chorus". The production design by Andromache Chalfant, lighting by Thomas C. Hase, and direction by Robin Guarino "set the emotional temperatures of the opera".

The Cincinnati Business Courier (https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/07/23/review-cincinnati-opera-s-blind-injustice-intense.html) called the opera's staging "consistently inventive, with cinematic scene changes... the effect was riveting." John Morris Russell was congratulated for being "an alert musical leader". The Business Courier also praised each of the principals and the chorus, while describing the experience as "artfully illuminating" and "deeply moving and profound." Reviewer Janelle Gelfand did note that the orchestra occasionally overpowered in the small space, and that near the end the libretto "became too wordy where words were not necessary".

CityBeat (https://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/classical-music/article/21079419/cincinnati-operas-blind-injustice-is-a-masterpiece) extolled the show's excellence, stating "Blind Injustice is a masterpiece. It is also brilliant theater with a powerful libretto by David Cote; a compelling dramatic score by Scott Davenport Richards, performed with urgency by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra members under the direction of John Morris Russell; and a superb cast staged by Robin Guarino." The score was especially praised, as "Richards' score is a brilliant fusion of styles covering Minimalism, Hip Hop, Jazz and Blues; his training as an actor also translates into a rare ability to not only make the words sing but also enhance characterizations." CityBeat goes on to praise the principals and the chorus as well, calling the latter "powerfully present throughout." Still, CityBeat outlines one drawback: that the show needs to be seen and heard in more than just Cincinnati: "The only negative is the Wilks Studio, with a seating capacity that limits the total audience of the entire performance run to less than 1,000. This is a piece that must be seen and heard throughout the state and the nation."