Organization

Conductor

Kwamé Ryan

Stage director

Jawole Willa Jo Zollar

Choreographer

Set designer

Mimi Lien

Lighting designer

John Torres

Singer

Jamie Barton

Elizabeth Van Lew

Janai Brugger

Mary Jane Bowser

J'Nai Bridges

Lucinda

Caitlin Lynch

Callie Van Lew

Nicholas Newton

Henry

Michael Mayes

Travis Briggs

Joshua Blue

Wilson

Costume designer

Carlos J. Soto

Clair Hummel

Stage combat master

Luke Fedell

Courtney J. Cook

Urban Bush Women Dance Company

Loren Davidson

Kentoria Earle

Roobi Gaskins

Symara Johnson

Bianca Leticia Medina

Love Muwwakkil

Mikaila Ware

Video designer

Wendall K Harrington

Rasean Davonte Johnson

Vincent Thomas

Skye Bronfenbrenner

Houston Grand Opera

Orchestra

Houston Grand Opera Orchestra

Ballet

Urban Bush Women

English

Intelligence

Houston

United States

Wortham Theater Center

Intelligence Heggie

Public

Approved

In episode 2 of The Making of Intelligence, Librettist Gene Scheer talks through the incredible true story of the powerhouse women at the center of the opera: Elizabeth Van Lew and Mary Jane Bowser.

The Women Who Won the War 
The Civil War is raging, and the country is burning. Men are slaughtering each other on the battlefield, but it is two women who possess the deadliest weapon of all: intelligence, made more powerful by its invisibility. Who would guess that Elizabeth Van Lew, from a prominent Confederate family, is running a secret pro-Union spy ring? That Mary Jane Bowser, born into slavery in the Van Lew household, not only has been taught to read and write, but is also possessed of a photographic memory? The HGO-commissioned world-premiere opera Intelligence, inspired by the little-known true story of these two unlikely spies, unfolds as Elizabeth sends Mary Jane to live in the Confederate White House. As Mary Jane uncovers the secrets of the Confederacy to share with Union military commanders, she also uncovers the secrets of her own history and identity. Shared through a fusion of music, words, and  dance, this new American epic is the creation of a powerhouse trio: composer Jake Heggie, librettist Gene Scheer, and director/choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, founder of Urban Bush Women. The production features eight dancers from UBW and a sensational cast led by mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton as Elizabeth, with soprano Janai Brugger making her anticipated company debut as the brilliant Mary Jane. Acclaimed conductor Kwamé Ryan takes the podium for his HGO debut.

Intelligence by Heggie, From (2023/2023), Directed by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar,, Conductor Kwamé Ryan, Wortham Theater Center, Houston, United States

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Videos

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues