Fortuna the Time Bender vs. The Schoolgirls of Doom

Nashville Opera brings Fortuna the Time Bender vs. The Schoolgirls of Doom to The Studio at The Noah Liff Opera Center for three performances: Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, November 15 at 3:00 PM. It's a comic-book superhero opera, and the plot is as campy as the pitch: the villainous Headmaster threatens the city with his trio of musical minions, and it's up to the time-bending Fortuna and her nerdy apprentice to save the day.

Jason Powell wrote and composed the piece and wrote the libretto, too. He describes it as a vibrant explosion of 1980s soft rock, comic-book aesthetics, and Gilbert & Sullivan-style wit, with a live 80s-inspired band and a Scott Pilgrim visual energy. It's staged in the company's intimate studio space rather than a full opera house, and the production is billed as proof that opera can be as fun as a graphic novel.

Jessica Sandidge takes the title role of Fortuna. Nicole Heinen plays Elizabeth and Melissa; Greg Sliskovich handles Joe, the Criminal, and Jonathan; Daniel Belcher is the Headmaster, the Husband, and Nathan; Ivy Calvert plays Sandy the Schoolgirl of Doom, the Wife, and Katy; Bryn Holdsworth is Candy the Schoolgirl of Doom and Lisa; and Sara Crigger plays Mandy the Schoolgirl of Doom and Rana. Sarah Antell narrates. John Hoomes directs and Stephen Kummer conducts.

The show runs about two hours and ten minutes, including intermission, and is performed in English with supertitle translations. It's recommended for ages 10 and up. The production received funding from OPERA America's Next Stage Grants. You can find it at The Studio at The Noah Liff Opera Center, 3622 Redmon Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37209.