Darren Woods, the Seagle Festival’s Artistic Director, saw “Dead Man Walking” so many times between the opera’s premiere in San Francisco in 2000 and 2009, the year he presented it at Fort Worth Opera, that composer Jake Heggie took to referring to him as “the Dead head.”
That sustained focus on a single opera, however, yielded a number of dividends, from Woods’ critically acclaimed production of “Dead Man Walking” in Texas to a lasting association with Jake Heggie. Also, a friendship with Sister Helen Prejean, whose 1993 memoir chronicling her ministry to death-row inmates became the basis for both the 1995 Tim Robbins film and Heggie’ s opera. And, to mention the most obvious, a new production of “Dead Man Walking” at this year’s Seagle Festival, the first time the opera has been presented by a cast of emerging singers and the first time the composer has authorized a production stripped of a full orchestra.
“It’s been incredible, watching these young kids take on these roles,” said Woods. “At some point during our three weeks of rehearsals, every kid has been overcome by the weight of portraying these people.”
The Seagle Festival will present performances of “Dead Man Walking” on Wednesday, August 5, Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 7 at 7:30 pm and on Saturday, August, August 8 at 2:30 pm.
“Dead Man Walking,” which is the most frequently performed American opera of the 21st century, places demands not only upon the singers but upon the audience.
That’s a testament to the magnitude of its emotional power, said Darren Woods, who said that it compels audiences to wrestle with thorny moral issues, from the politics of capital punishment to the possibility of redemption, without imparting facile answers.
“A rape and a murder occur at the beginning and the question is not did Joe DeRocher commit the crime – it’s very clear that he did – but, is a monster worthy of redemption? When Sister Helen convinces him, finally, to acknowledge his responsibility before he goes to die, it’s one of the most cathartic moments in opera,” said Woods.
According to Woods, Sister Helen Prejean is “an amazing human being; the most fascinating human being I’ve ever met.”
He recalled a Q&A with Jake Heggie, himself and Sister Helen when “Dead Man Walking” was staged in Texas when she was accused of lacking compassion for the victims and their families of the murderers on Death Row.
“She allowed the audience member to have his moment and then replied, calmly and rationally, ‘I just don’t think I’m smart enough to make God’s decisions for him,’” said Woods.
Woods added, “I was raised Southern Baptist and they talk a lot about unconditional love, but they rarely live it. In this opera, Sister Helen embodies it.”
The Seagle Festival’s 2026 mainstage season concludes with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical The Sound of Music, which runs Aug. 19-22 and includes an added fifth performance because of anticipated demand.
“It’s definitely the hottest ticket in town,” said Woods. “All five performances are sold out.”
In addition to its mainstage productions, Seagle Festival will continue to present a variety of concerts and special events throughout the summer.
Families had the chance to see “Little Red Riding Hood,” a musical by Seymour Barab, in several Adirondack communities throughout July. The last performance was at Crandall Library on July 30.
Music, dining and fundraising will be combined at Seagle’s annual luncheon, to be held Aug. 11 at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls. Tickets are $90 per person.
Seagle Festival’s artists will perform “Life is Happiness Indeed: The Music of Leonard Bernstein” on Aug. 29 and Sept. 4 at its Oscar Seagle Memorial Theater in Schroon Lake, with an additional performance Sept. 3 in Blue Mountain Lake.
“Opera Shots,” the Seagle Festival’s informal sampling of current productions, will also make another circuit of bars, restaurants and private clubs before the season ends.
