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Bark of Millions

20 October 2023

Taylor Mac and Matt Ray A rock opera on queerness

In the Concert Hall

Sydney Opera House Presents Contemporary Music

In this Australian exclusive event, one-night-only event, celebrated artist Taylor Mac returns to the Opera House in an epic world-premiere celebration of queerness to the Concert Hall. Prepare for an electrifying collision of performance, live music, and drag spectacle like you’ve never experienced before!

“If you’re not invited to the party, throw a better one.” — Taylor Mac

Part rock opera, part reimagined pride parade, this epic production will stage 55 original songs – one to mark each year since the landmark Stonewall uprising. It’s both a celebration and a gift to the queer canon, expanding the archive for generations to come.

Taylor Mac (a MacArthur Fellow, Ibsen Award winner, and Pulitzer Prize finalist) and Obie Award-winning composer Matt Ray are the masterminds behind this extraordinary event. Co-directed by visionaries Niegel Smith and Faye Driscoll and showcasing the extravagance of Machine Dazzle’s costume design, Bark of Millions will be brought to life in the Concert Hall by an international ensemble of 22 artists.

Bark of Millions is a transformative experience that celebrates the power of individuality and human connection. This once-in-a-lifetime event promises to shatter conventions, push boundaries, and bring a bold new perspective to our stage. Book in now for a genuinely momentous and fabulous occasion – a dazzling way for the Opera House to mark turning 50.

NSW Government

This program is proudly supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW Blockbusters Funding initiative

Trailer

Watch the trailer

Incredible. Nothing could prepare you for the brilliance...

Sydney Morning Herald

One of the great experiences of my life.

The New York Times

Explosive, spectacular, heartbreaking ‘dandy revenge’

The Guardian

Artist information

Credits

Lyrics and Direction by 
Taylor Mac

Music and Musical Direction by 
Matt Ray
        
With 

Ari Folman-Cohen, Bernice “Boom Boom” Brooks, Chris Giarmo, Dana Lyn, El Beh, Greg Glassman, Jack Fuller, Joel E. Mateo, Jules Skloot, Le Gateau Chocolat, Lisa “Paz” Parrott, Machine Dazzle, Mama Alto, Marika Hughes, Matt Ray, Sean Donovan, Steffanie Christi’an, Stephen Quinn, Taylor Mac, Thornetta Davis, Viva DeConcini, Wes Olivier

Co-Director
Niegel Smith

Co-Director / Choreographer
Faye Driscoll 

Costumes
Machine Dazzle

Art Direction by
Matthew Buttrey

Props Designer
Oscar Escobedo

Co-Props Designer
Zach Blumner

“Mother Flawless” Puppet Design by
Glenn Marla

Production Manager
Jeremy Lydic

General Manager
Rachel Katwan

Stage Manager
Jason Kaiser

Company Manager
Florent Trioux

Produced by
Pomegranate Arts & Nature’s Darlings

Creative and Executive Producers
Linda Brumbach & Alisa E. Regas

BARK OF MILLIONS is commissioned by BAM and Pomegranate Arts.

The work was Co-commissioned by Sydney Opera House, with additional support by the Ron Beller & Jennifer Moses Family Foundation. This work was created during residencies at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, MASS MoCA-North Adams, MA, Irish Arts Center-New York City, and the Alexander Kasser Theater-Montclair State University.

The World Premiere of Bark of Millions will be presented at the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House in October 2023.

Other information

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