PLAGUE MASS

PLAGUE MASS
a new American opera

July 26th, 1985. Rock Hudson announces his AIDS diagnosis and sends a shockwave through American culture affecting everyone from the highest levels of government to the activists fighting for their lives in the streets.

Composed by Jordan Rutter-Covatto at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and featuring new commissions from five creative teams, PLAGUE MASS explores what connects us in a time of crisis across divisions of power, class, and sexual identity.

PLAGUE MASS is a new opera inspired by Rock Hudson's 1985 announcement of his AIDS diagnosis and the shockwave it sent through American culture. Created by six composers and five librettists, PLAGUE MASS follows American pop culture icons from the 80s as they grapple with an uncertain future.

featuring:
JORDAN RUTTER-COVATTO as KEITH HARING
MELAINA MILLS as ELIZABETH TAYLOR
DANIELLE BUONAIUTO as MATHILDE KRIM
DANIEL KLEIN as RONALD REAGAN
DAVEED BUZAGLO as ROCK HUDSON

with music by JORDAN RUTTER-COVATTO, LUCAS TAHIRUZZAMAN SYED, DEREK WEAGLE, SARAH GENEVIEVE BURGHART RICE, JOSEPH N. RUBINSTEIN, and JASMINE GALANTE

lyrics by FRED SAUTER, HEATHER O'DONOVAN, CHIARA M. N., CLARE BIERMAN, and JOHNNY LLOYD

book by JORDAN RUTTER-COVATTO

directed by SAM HELFRICH

PERFORMANCES

November 19, 2026 | 8:00 p.m. 
November 21, 2026 | 3:00 p.m.
November 21, 2026 | 8:00 p.m.

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TICKETS ON SALE IN JUNE

“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble
and He saved them from their distress.
He sent out His word and healed them;
He rescued them from the grave.”

Psalm 107: 20-21