No balm in Gilead: The Handmaid’s Tale in Boston

By Kevin Wells, 09 May 2019

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“a harrowing, gripping production where even body language speaks volumes”

Reviewed at Ray Lavietes Pavilion, Boston on 5 May 2019

Ruders, The Handmaid's Tale (East Coast US Premiere)

Boston Lyric Opera

David Angus, Conductor

Anne Bogart, Director

James Schuette, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Jennifer Johnson Cano, Offred

Caroline Worra, Aunt Lydia

Kathryn Skemp, Janine/Ofwarren

Chelsea Basler, Moira

Maria Zifchak, Serena Joy

Felicia Gavilanes, The Double

Jesse Darden, Luke

Lynn Torgove, Rita

Michelle Trainor, Ofglen

Dana Beth Miller, Offred's mother

Matthew Dibattista, The Doctor

Omar Najmi, Nick

David Cushing, The Commander

Vera Savage, New Ofglen

Jessica Johnson Brock, Moira's aunt

Shura Baryshnikov, Choreography

Brian Scott, Lighting Designer

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Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells was bitten by the opera bug at 10, having heard a 1936 recording of Jussi Björling singing “Che gelida manina”. He has never been the same since. A student of voice, performance practice, the history of singing and opera, he holds advanced degrees in Italian and has lived and worked in Italy off and on since the 70s. La Scala became a second home as the Met had been during college daze. Now in his native Boston, he works as translator, tutor, and language coach, haunts Symphony Hall, and would haunt the Opera House had it not been demolished in 1958!

No balm in Gilead: Boston Lyric Opera presents The Handmaid’s Tale