The Norris Presents St. Charles Native, Evan Bravos, January 14

St. Charles, Jan. 1 – Baritone Evan Bravos, a rising star in professional opera and a St. Charles native, performs songs of Mendelssohn and Schubert as he stars on January 14 at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in “The Fine Things of Youth: Lucy Gayheart in Words and Music.”

The production distills Willa Cather’s early 20th century story of Lucy Gayheart, a young Nebraska girl who arrives in Chicago to pursue musical studies and finds both opportunity and romance as rehearsal accompanist for a charismatic singer, Clement Sebastian. The story is told by a narrator, portrayed by
actress Jill Anderson. Bravos appears in the role of Sebastian, with piano accompaniment provided by Shannon McGinnis.

The performance will be presented at 3 p.m. in The Norris gallery, an intimate space in which each audience member is within 30 feet of the performers. For tickets, call 630-584-7200, or visit www.NorrisCulturalArts.com for a link to online ticketing. The performance is appropriate for all ages. Free refreshments will be served, and guests may enjoy viewing The Norris gallery’s winter exhibit, Connections.

Bravos earned a Master of Music degree in vocal performance at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music. He is a 2006 graduate of St. Charles North High School. Anderson is a Nebraska-based actor, singer, director and producer whose 24-year career has taken her across the U.S. McGinnis is a collaborative pianist who has performed with many of the world’s top classical singers.

New York-based director Tom Gallagher created and directs this adaptation of the popular Willa Cather novel, “Lucy Gayheart.”