The Mercy Velvet Project, a rock opera and concert album, premiered in New Haven, Connecticut, at the Yale Schwarzman Center. The performance was the culmination of five years of work by artist and choreographer Alexis Robbins and bassist Christie Echols.
Local Premiere
The show was presented in collaboration with the International Festival of Arts & Ideas and featured a cast of local musicians and dancers, including Robbins, Echols, guitarist and vocalist Maya Harrison, lead vocalist Demiah Latreece, and dancers Megan Gessner, Maria Clara Laet, and Isabella Serricella.
The performance was a unique blend of music and dance, with the cast members often switching between singing, playing instruments, and dancing. The show featured a range of musical styles, including rock, jazz, and lyrical, and included a three-person live band.
The story behind the Mercy Velvet Project is a personal one for Robbins, who was inspired by her father’s old band, Mercy Velvet. The band’s music had a profound impact on Robbins, and she wanted to revisit it in a full production.
The premiere was a success, with the audience praising the energy and creativity of the performance. The show was a testament to the power of music and dance to bring people together and create a sense of community.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
