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Utah Opera's first production of the season, "The Shining," isn't just a reboot of the movie you remember — though they're both inspired by Stephen King's 1977 novel.
What's different about the new opera is that the famous horror writer likes it.
"I uttered a little prayer before pressing 'send' on the email to King's lawyers seeking approval for my first draft," recalled librettist Mark Campbell, who wrote the opera's lyrics and dialogue.
How long did it take for King to approve?
Less than two days.
From page to stage
Many people know "The Shining" from the iconic 1980 Stanley Kubrick-directed film.
You know the story: a winter caretaker slowly descends into madness while working and living with his family at the Overlook Hotel.
"It can border on camp with lines like 'Here's Johnny!' and the exaggerated portrayals of its secondary characters," Campbell said. "In contrast, the novel is a masterful blend of horror and gripping drama, telling the story of a family struggling with mental illness."
The librettist was fully aware of King's dismay with the film adaptation.
"I felt enormous pressure in making sure that my libretto, while not slavish to every detail in the novel, was true to its spirit and intent," he said.
He and Paul Moravec, the composer, saw the book as inherently operatic, making it the perfect foundation for a new work.
"The story dramatizes three of the most basic aspects of opera — love, death and power," said Moravec. "To me, above all, it is about the power of love in the presence of evil and destructive forces."
A perfect fit for October
Scheduling the chilling opera at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre in October was deliberate, according to Christopher McBeth, Utah Opera Artistic Director.
"Given the amount of enthusiasm that exists in our community for Halloween, fall seemed like the perfect time to stage the production," he said. "I knew the audience would connect with the story and that its mood would match the season."
He also knew that Moravec and Campbell had transformed King's novel into something unforgettable.
"Paul Moravec's music is extraordinary in depicting the psychological and supernatural elements of this story," he said. "And Mark Campbell's wordsmithing is unparallelled in the world of opera."
Some Utahns may remember Campbell as librettist for "The R(evolution) of Steve Jobs," which the company performed in 2023, and "Silent Night," staged in 2020.
What the Critics Say
As "The Shining" has grown in popularity with opera companies around the United States, it's seen as a fresh take on a well-known narrative. All four performances of "The Shining" sold out when it debuted at Minnesota Opera in 2016.
"It elevates the tale from horror story to a human drama," according to The Wall Street Journal.
And critics praise the powerful music.
"Moravec proves to be a masterful musical dramatist...the music is impressively creative, maximally effective, and it continues to outdo itself throughout the piece," according to OperaNews.
Ghosts and Legends
As Utah Opera prepares to stage "The Shining," everyone behind the scenes knows there's something extra special — and extra spooky — about this production. Legend has it that the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre is haunted by a ghost named George, known for moving objects around the building and whispering through the backstage areas and even, occasionally, through the audience.
The theatre is a regular stop on downtown ghost tours.
"This is the first time an opera whose story revolves around a haunted building will take place in a haunted building," McBeth said. "That's a dream opportunity for any theater producer."
Tickets to "The Shining" at the JQL Capitol Theatre (Oct. 11-19) are now available online or by calling (801) 533-NOTE.
