Joshua's Boots: An Opera for Young People

Joshua's Boots opens at COCA's Catherine B. Berges Theatre on Wednesday, October 21, and runs through Saturday, October 24. It's a co-production between the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and the Center of Creative Arts (COCA), and it's an opera for young people—recommended for ages 10 and up.

The story takes us back to 1878. Joshua is a Black teenager who leaves home for the American West, chasing a new start and the chance to build a life on his own terms. Along the way, he runs up against racial prejudice and the kind of obstacles that come with starting over in a strange place, but he pushes through to become a cowboy and carve out his own land and legacy. It's a coming-of-age story set against the wide-open backdrop of the frontier.

The music is by Adolphus C. Hailstork, with a libretto by Susan Kander. Adam Flores handles the stage direction and Stephen Mager conducts. The cast is led by Michael Breaux as Joshua, with Angel Love playing Sallie and Mama, and James Stevens taking on a handful of roles: Geezer, Frank, Captain Pershing, and Cookie. Andrew Johnson is Charlie, Anna Edwards is Lucinda, Emma Wittenauer plays Miss Pearl and sings in the chorus, and Jaron Bentley is Abraham, with Sarah rounding out the ensemble.

There are two different ways to catch it. The first two days, October 21 and 22, are school performances at 9:45 AM and 11:30 AM, with tickets at $6 per student. If you're coming on your own, the public performances are on Friday, October 23, at 7 PM, and Saturday, October 24, at 2 PM and 5 PM. That's four chances to see it across the week, so you can pick the time that works best for you.