The Badass Blue Baba

Sellem the auctioneer (Jon Jurgens) takes glee in the sale of Rakewell’s worldly possessions in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of Stravinsky’s THE RAKES PROGRESS, running through March 19 at the Emerson Majestic Theater Photo Credit: T Charles Erickson © T Charles Erickson Photography

Hey Everyone!!!! I hope all of you are doing fantastic! 

So if you are subscribed to my Newsletter (right Hea if you aren't) then you know why I kinda went M.I.A. in March and its because I had the awesome opportunity to work on The Rakes Progress. An opera that was featured by The Boston Lyric Opera at The Majestic in Boston!  There are fantastical characters in the opera such as Mother Goose (performed by the infamous Jane Eaglen) and her crazy brothel, Sellem (performed by the amazing Jon Jurgens) a pink haired red pump-shoe wearing auctioneer and Stravinsky (performed by Yury Yanowsky). As well as  Baba The Turk , a blue bearded lady performed by the incredible Heather Johnson whom I had the pleasure of painting shades of blue for each performance! 

Why is there a blue bearded lady in this opera? Well first off, Why not?! Who wouldn't want to be a blue bearded lady! 
Secondly, the story of The Rakes Progress takes place in the countryside where two of the principal characters are in love Tom (performed by Ben Bliss) and Anne (performed by Anya Matanovic). Tom who tries to look for easier ways of making money ends up inheriting a fortune from an unknown uncle and moves to London. He gets quickly bored living in his new home and ordinary pleasures. So then he gets introduced to BABA the Turk. Well surprise, surprise, Anne arrives to meet Tom at his home and she is horrified to find him married to BABA. Tom ends up going bankrupt and taken to a graveyard and finds out he has to pay everything back not with money, but with his soul. As his soul is about to get snatched he hears Anne's voice in the distance and his past love is reawakened. Tom survives but ends up mad and institutionalized. 
Synopsis courtesy of Boosey & Hawkes

Fun Story, Right! lol Well, here is a treat for all of you! Below is a time-lapse video of Heather Johnson being made up and wigged as Baba The Turk ! Stay tuned because if you love this video and this amazing picture of this pink haired, orange blushed auctioneer (whom I also did the makeup for) to my right then you'll love the next time lapse video that will be released ;) ;) 

Love you guys! See ya soon! 

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