The Factotum Tickets | Schedule for 2024/2025 Events

The Factotum

The Factotum opera is presented by the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Will Liverman, Grammy-nominated baritone, and DJ King Rico work together to present a unique blend of diverse musical styles, ranging from hip-hop to rap, classical, funk, R&B, and the barbershop quartet? The duo provides the concept, lyrics, and music for the opera.

Martin Luther Clark, Gabriella Reyes, Melody Betts, Ron Dukes, Keirsten Hodgens, Norman Garrett, Symone Harcum, Terrence Chin-Loy, Adam Richardson, Lunga Eric Hallam, and Christian Makai Lucas play the main roles in the opera. The Factotum is set in the barbershop of a Black man in South Chicago. It deals with the strength of the local community and is inspired by The Barber of Seville.

Lyric Opera of Chicago has commissioned Barrett Keithley, a local artist, to create murals for the opera’s setting. The three murals will be used on the stage to present the South and West sides of Chicago. One of the designs is used as the poster image for the opera.

More Information About The Factotum

The opera takes the audience through the lives of two brothers, Mike and Garby. The barbershop belongs to their family. They fight about what to do with the shop as various musical genres add a comic note to lighten up the plot. Experts call The Factotum a heartfelt comedy that will redefine the opera with its artful blend of different music styles.

Will Liverman and DJ King Rico are long-time friends and music collaborators. Factotum is another delightful project on their list. Houston Grand Opera co-commissioned the opera with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The concept behind the opera is to pay a warm tribute to Black joy. Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj is the dramaturg, director, and co-book writer for the opera. Kedrick Armstrong is the music conductor, and Maleek Washington is the choreographer. Harlan Penn designs the set, while Devario Simmons handles the costumes for The Factotum.

The opera’s world premiere is at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, Chicago. The Factotum opera is two hours and twenty minutes long with a single intermission. The songs will be in English with English subtitles projected on the screen. Lyric Opera of Chicago has created a short documentary to share the creative process of developing The Factotum. The documentary is directed by Raphael Nash.