Cincinnati Business Courier: CCM’s production of ‘Fellow Travelers’ included in list of 2023 arts highlights
Initially workshopped at CCM in 2013, the opera runs March 30-April 2 in Patricia Corbett Theater
The Cincinnati Business Courier recently published Janelle Gelfand’s preview of Cincinnati’s 2023 arts offerings. CCM’s upcoming production of Gregory Spears and Greg Pierce’s Fellow Travelers was included as one of the highlights of the new year.
Described by Gelfand as “one of the most successful new American operas,” the title has strong ties to CCM and Cincinnati. Based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon, Fellow Travelers was originally workshopped at CCM in 2013 as part of the college’s Opera Fusion: New Works (OF:NW) partnership with Cincinnati Opera.
Cincinnati Opera presented the world premiere of Fellow Travelers in 2016 with a production that was conducted by CCM faculty member Mark Gibson and featured alumnus Joseph Lattanzi (MM Voice, 2015; AD Opera, 2015) singing the role of the opera's co-lead, Hawkins Fuller. The 2016 cast also included alumni Christian Pursell (MM Voice, '17), Paul Scholten (MM Voice, '09), Alexandra Schoeny (DMA Voice, '19) and Talya Lieberman (AD Opera, '16).
Gelfand writes: “Now, a decade after those 2013 workshops, CCM Opera presents Fellow Travelers, March 30-April 2 in Patricia Corbett Theater.” Conducted by CCM alumnus William R. Langley (MM Orchestral Conducting, '18) with co-direction by CCM artist diploma student Daria Zholnerova and CCM faculty member Greg Eldridge, the opera is set at the height of the McCarthy era, when young Timothy Laughlin is eager to join the crusade against Communism. A chance encounter with a handsome, profligate State Department official mamed Hawkins Fuller leads to Laughlin's first job in Washington, D.C., and his first love affair. Drawn into a maelstrom of deceit and intrigue, Laughlin struggles to reconcile his political convictions, his love for God and his love for Fuller — an entanglement that will end in a stunning act of betrayal.
Read the Cincinnati Business Courier’s 2023 arts preview. Tickets for CCM’s upcoming production of Fellow Travelers are on sale now.
Next Lives Here
At the University of Cincinnati, we realize the impact our teaching, research, artistry and service can have on our community and the world. So, we don’t wait for change to happen. We break boundaries, boldly imagine and create what’s Next. To us, today’s possibilities spark tomorrow’s reality. That’s why we are leading urban public universities into a new era of innovation and impact, and that's how we are defining Next for the performing and media arts.
We are UC. Welcome to what's Next.
Featured image at top: Promotional image for CCM's Spring 2023 production of Fellow Travelers. Photo/Mark Lyons
Related Stories
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Position-specific helmets may not improve protection
March 16, 2026
Local 12 highlighted a new study by biomedical engineering researchers that looked at how well new football helmets protected players from impacts that can cause concussions.
UC biologist talks about 'pearmageddon'
March 16, 2026
WLWT talks to UC biologist and Department Head Theresa Culley about invasive, nonnative Callery pear trees that are spreading across Ohio forests after they were introduced by landscapers more than 50 years ago.