The Wilma Theater concludes its 2023-24 season with the world premiere presentation of HILMA, a contemporary opera by playwright Kate Scelsa and composer Robert M. Johanson. Directed by Wilma Co-Artistic Director Morgan Green, the production explores the life and work of 20th-century Swedish artist Hilma af Klint, considered one of the first modern abstract artists. The world premiere of HILMA features a cast of notable local and regional actors Sarah Gliko, J Molière, Brett Ashley Robinson, Kristin Sieh, and Evan Spigelman. The contemporary opera is produced in partnership with New York theatre company New Georges and is set to run from June 4 to 23 in The Wilma’s 300-seat theater.
HILMA centers on the early 20th-century queer mystic and artist Hilma af Klint (Sieh), who channeled hundreds of paintings through messages from otherworldly forces, hoping to communicate the mysteries of the universe. Only recently rediscovered and hailed as one of the first-ever abstract artists, Klint worked in obscurity during a time that was not yet ready to receive her message. The contemporary opera – with a score that mixes genres from opera, rock, pop, and musical theater – wrestles with the hubris and humility that fueled one woman’s spiritual quest.
The opera’s story picks up when Klint was a member of the Edelweiss Society with “The Five,” a group of artists she worked alongside who embraced Theosophical teachings. Through her work with The Five, Klint developed her experimental art forms and created metaphors to illustrate the messages she received through seances. At this time, Klint is anticipating a chance meeting with Rudolf Steiner, the founder of the Anthroposophical Society, who would influence her later work.
Leading the cast as Hilma af Klint is stage, television, and voice-over performer Kristin Sieh. Brooklyn based actor and theatre maker J Molière portrays Klint’s partner and collaborator Anna Cassel. Joining them as the other members of The Five are performer Evan Spigelman as Sigrid Hedman, with Wilma HotHouse Company members Sarah Gliko as Cornelia Cederberg and Brett Ashley Robinson as Mathilde Nilsson. Rounding out the cast as Rudolf Steiner is HILMA composer Robert M. Johanson.
The contemporary opera’s libretto is written by novelist, playwright, and songwriter Kate Scelsa. A recipient of a Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation grant for playwrights, she has worked for many years with New York experimental theater company Elevator Repair Service.
Scelsa was inspired by af Klint’s deeply unconventional life and her deep commitment to exploring mystical and spiritual practices through her creativity.
The music of HILMA is written by New York City-based performer, composer, and director Robert M. Johanson. He is a founding member of Nature Theater of Oklahoma and has performed in its productions of No Dice, Poetics: a Ballet Brut, Romeo and Juliet, and No President. He has created and composed his own pieces in collaboration with both students and professionals, including Life is Hard (Von Krahl Theater) and The Loon (Witness Relocation).
TICKET INFORMATION
Preview performances for HILMA are from Tuesday, June 4, through Thursday, June 6. The production opens with an invite-only performance on Friday, June 7, at 7 p.m. and runs through Sunday, June 23.
Single Digital Tickets will be available for sale toward the end of the show’s in-person run. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased at www.wilmatheater.org or by calling the Wilma’s box office at 215-546- 7824.