The Righteous

ACT 1

1979. A state in the American Southwest. Paul, an oil magnate with political aspirations, his friend CM, his son Jonathan, and his son’s best friend David are out for a day of turkey hunting. David, a preacher, tells Jonathan he feels that God is telling him to marry Jonathan’s sister Michele. Jonathan cannot hide that he wishes David could be more than a brother-in-law to him. Back at Paul’s ranch, David proposes to Michele, and she accepts.

Eli, an army serviceman, tells his wife Sheila that he will be leaving soon to lead training exercises overseas. She protests, for her own sake and that of their daughter, Shannon. David preaches a sermon on the importance of loving one’s neighbor. A few weeks later, David asks Sheila, a parishioner in his church, to lead a women’s group. David and Michele read the laudatory article that has just been written about the church. David’s charisma and leadership skills have led to whispers of his potential emergence as a write-in candidate for Governor, and Paul and CM are worried that David’s big personality is a threat to Paul’s own gubernatorial campaign. Michele asks David to make a public statement that he has no intention of running against Paul.

1986. Jonathan challenges David on his stance on AIDS. In David’s words, “Love is terrifying.” In Jonathan’s, “Isn’t it?” Sheila leads the women’s group – all profess the need to be calmed and soothed in the midst of family issues – and confesses that she is a survivor of abuse, but a believer in the all-knowing love of God, “terrible and wonderful.” David and the Deacons plan to expand the sanctuary. Michele misses the David she’d thought she knew. David, seeing that Sheila is still in the church, goes back in after her to offer his prayerful attentions. They kiss.

ACT 2

Paul’s ranch, after the election. First Lady Marilyn is planning a dinner. Michele confides in her mother that her relationship with David has cooled. Marilyn assures her that she and Paul will always provide options for her. Michele sees a vision of David and Sheila’s affair. Paul has a heart attack and dies. The family is stricken. At the ensuing wake, old friend and consultant CM arrives and immediately asks David to run in the special election to replace Paul as governor.

Three months later David has won the special election. He returns to his church to say goodbye. Michele offers a curious prayer about forgiveness for husbands who betray their wives.

1990. David and Sheila, now husband and wife, host a reception at the Governor’s Mansion. They meet various guests, among them is Jacob, a young Black preacher from a struggling urban community. He complains that his community is misunderstood, while David holds fast to the belief that cracking down on crack and on the areas it affects is the best policy. Sheila extemporizes a speech about God’s compassion and privately excoriates David for what she sees as the change in his heart and views. Sheila feigns a headache and retires for the evening.

Shannon, Sheila’s daughter, has brought her friend Deirdre home from college. The dinner conversation with Sheila and David so manifests the tension between idealistic Shannon and her more staid stepfather that the girls take their meal upstairs. In the morning Shannon offers encouragement to her mother. Sheila makes a generous gift to the Women’s Shelter and goes there to offer her services as a group leader. There she meets Michele, who is there as legal counsel. Though forgiveness is neither sought nor offered, the two seem almost relieved to see each other.

Jonathan visits David at his office, interrupting a meeting on a new piece of “quiet” legislation. Jonathan is leaving for a place where he can be himself. David reflects on friendship and the passage of time and asks of God, “What did I mistake for you?”

Commissioned and premiered by The Santa Fe Opera, 2024

ARTISTS

• CONDUCTOR: Jordan de Souza
• DIRECTOR: Kevin Newbury
• DAVID: Michael Mayes, baritone
• SHEILA: Elena Villalón, soprano
• MICHELE: Jennifer Johnson Cano, mezzo
• JONATHAN: Anthony Roth Costanzo, countertenor
• PAUL: Greer Grimsley, bass-baritone
• CM: Brenton Ryan, tenor
• MARILYN: Wendy Bryn Harmer, soprano
• JACOB: Nicholas Newton, bass-baritone
• ELI: Andrew Turner, tenor
• SHANNON: Jazmine Saunders, soprano
• DEIRDRE: Natasha Isabella Gesto, soprano