Utah State opera premieres “Uncovered”
Leah Lax was immersed in a religion that covered her up, until she hit a breaking point.
“I lived in a world that said if something was not kosher, if something was not approved by God, we just don’t talk about it,” Lax said. “People actually believed there were no gay people in the world, because no one ever mentioned that. When you give something a name, you give it life in the world. If it has no name, it’s as if it doesn’t exist. I was erased.”
Taylor Woolf as Lover, Danielle Casós as Older Leah
Lax originally told her story of leaving Hasidic Judaism and her family and coming out as a lesbian in her memoir, “Uncovered.” Now, her story is being told in an opera.
Lori Laitman, a classical music composer, wrote a chamber opera based on Lax’s memoir which premiered at Utah State University on March 31.
According to Lax, “Uncovered” is an unusual opera that depicts abortion, lesbianism and the impact of fundamentalism on women.
“I wanted to show a woman waking up, even though she’s immersed in raising a big family and a religious community that really pretty much structures her every thought,” Lax said. “I wanted to show a woman who was waking up to herself as a unique individual.”
For Lax, her story is about survival of the soul — about leaving something happily and proudly. It’s a woman’s coming of age. A captured moment of waking to needs, desires, talents and choice.
Opera stage director Beth Greenberg, who is known for her work at the New York City Opera, sees it as a story of courage to tell personal truth regardless of the risks involved.
“I’m very aware that we’re in a predominantly Mormon community with very different values. And I understand that and I certainly respect that. This piece is not trying to convince anyone to change any of their personal values,” Greenberg said. “The overarching theme of the piece — I hope people will understand that — is to thine own self be true, to be truthful to who you are as a person and lead the best life you can.”
Lax, Laitman and Greenberg all agree the opera is premiering in a pivotal place with a strong culture and religious background.
“Sometimes, if you’re raised in a community where there is a lot of sameness, where there is a lot of uniformity, it can be scary if there’s something that doesn’t fit in,” Laitman said. “But there’s no need to be scared because everyone is a miracle. And life and love, in any form, should be appreciated and cherished.”
Lax’s memoir has been translated into Arabic because, according to Lax, the story is something Muslim women understand deeply.
“I felt so strongly that my story wasn’t a quirky little bubble of a Hasidic community but that it overlapped with uniform, highly religious communities,” Lax said. “Every religion in the world, in its stricter form, asks women to cover themselves.”
At music professor Dallas Heaton’s request, Lax has done one-on-one conferences with cast members in preparation for the opera’s premiere.
“I found that, privately, every single one wanted to talk first about their relationship to church and community and how deeply they were moved by the story and frightened by it,” Lax said.
Several students didn’t take roles early on because of the controversial nature of the story, particularly to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, according to Lax, there are key cast members who are LDS.
“I think the important lesson for the cast is that you’re telling a story and it has nothing to do with your own personal morals or how you feel about life,” Laitman said. “If you’re going to be an artist, you have to be able to tell other people’s stories.”
According to Laitman, that’s exactly what Greenberg and Lax have done while collaborating on this project.
“The thing that is unique about Beth is that she respects the music and the words, and her ideas come out of that. And that’s rare,” Laitman said.
While the artists who have worked on this piece understand its controversial nature, specifically in Utah, they encourage everyone to attend.
“I don’t ask anyone to agree or disagree with the story. That’s not what I’m here for,” Greenberg said. “I’m just here to ask you to come to the theater and spend an hour and a half watching and listening to the story and then decide its meaning for you.”
“Uncovered” will be showing in the Caine Lyric Theatre from March 31 to April 2. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/youth, $8 for faculty and staff and free for students.
Photos submitted by Dallas Heaton.