THE WILD BEAST OF THE BUNGALOW

AUTHORS

Composer: Rachel J. Peters

Librettist: Royce Vavrek

Adapted from and further inspired by the short story Mermaid in the Jar by Sheila Heti.

SYNOPSIS

This triptych of short chamber operas (Mermaid in the Jar, Prairie Dogs, and Fine and Dandy) takes place entirely within an eleven-year-old Girl’s bedroom as she overhears her parents’ volatile conversations. Over the course of a few days, a mermaid, a family of stuffed prairie dogs, and singing groups of chicken pox and shingles force her to confront what it means to care for others and be cared for herself.

INSTRUMENTATION

1.0.1 (doubling BCl.).1.bar.sax/0.0.1.0/pft-perc (1)-harp-ukulele (doubling banjo)/1.0.0.1.1 or piano/vocal

DURATION

90 minutes

CAST

THE GIRL, Coloratura Soprano

MERMAID/MOM PRAIRIE DOG/REAL MOM, Mezzo-Soprano

EMMA/WATERMELON/SHELBY SHINGLE, Soprano

WENDY (GIRL COVER)/MRS. GONZALES/SHEENA SHINGLE, Soprano

CARLA/GRANDPA/GRANDMA/SHIRLEY SHINGLE, Mezzo-Soprano

GROVER/CHADDY CHICKEN POX, Countertenor

PDETA MAN/CHUBBY CHICKEN POX, Tenor

CHESTER CHICKEN POX/PHYLLIS, Baritone

DAD PRAIRIE DOG/REAL DAD/CHARLIE CHICKEN POX, Bass-Baritone

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

  • Upcoming: Mermaid in the Jar, Roosevelt University, 2026

  • Excerpts in concert, Against the Grain Theatre, 2025

  • Excerpts in concert, Oslo Chamber Music Festival, 2024

  • Mermaid in the Jar, Mannes Opera, 2023

  • World Premiere Production, complete opera, Oberlin Conservatory, 2020

  • Semi-staged concert reading, Center for Contemporary Opera, 2016

  • Mermaid in the Jar, Hartford Opera Theater, 2013

This work is available for performance worldwide.

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IMAGES

World Premiere Production by Oberlin Conservatory | Directed by Christopher Mirto | Photos by Yevhen Gulenko

Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
Oberlin Conservatory world premiere production of The Wild Beast of the Bungalow, an opera by composer Rachel J. Peters and librettist Royce Vavrek
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