Too Much Coffee Man, a syndicated comic strip featured in books and alternative weeklies nationwide, is jumping from the page to the stage. Too Much Coffee Man Opera – an avant garde blend of post-modern caffeine humor and traditional opera - is believed to be the first opera inspired by a comic book.

Created by Shannon Wheeler, the chamber opera details the tragedy of Too Much Coffee Man, a caffeine-addled Everyman who’s in love with his barista. Trouble brews when Espresso Guy, a cynical opportunist, also makes a play for the ambitious but frustrated young barista. The characters must resolve the age-old dilemma: Can coffee and relationships co-exist?

The opera’s five roles will be performed by three vocalists accompanied by a bass, clarinet and piano. Devon Allen, head of Portland State University's Acting Program will direct the production and Joseph Prather will provide music direction.

The production is being produced by Portand Center for the Performing Arts and Adhesive Comics in association with Ajax Arts, a new national production company based in Portland, started by Randy Rollison, whose producing credites include the world premeires of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues and John Leguizamo's Mambo Mouth. Sponsors include the Stumptown Coffee, Dark Horse comic book publisher and Missing Link toys.

Biographies:

Shannon Wheeler, a Portland resident, has received numerous national awards for his artwork. He began drawing cartoons while studying architecture at UC Berkeley in the 1980s, and has been chronicling the adventures of Too Much Coffee Man since 1993. Too Much Coffee Man appears in a dozen alternative newspapers and has been compiled in four graphic novels published by Dark Horse press.

Daniel Steven Crafts, composer, has written seven operas and 13 large orchestral works. His piece “The Song and the Slogan,” written with opera star Jerry Hadley, won an Emmy in 2003. He has also won awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and ASCAP. He lives in New Mexico.

Damian Wilcox, lyricist, is the creator of the popular comic “dorkboy.” He’s self-published more than 20 books and created hundreds of online comics. A freelance illustrator and writer, Wilcox lives in Calgary, Alberta with his wife.

Cast:
Stacey Murdock - Too Much Coffee Man
Matt Dolphin - Espresso Guy
Jasmine Presson - Barista
Devon Allen - Stage Director
Joey Prather - Music Director