Live Broadcast: Opera Colorado’s World Premiere Of ‘Steal A Pencil For Me’

<p>(Photo: Kelly Maxwell/Opera Colorado)</p>
<p>The cast of Opera Colorado&#039;s “Steal a Pencil For Me.”</p>
Photo: Steal a Pencil main
The cast of Opera Colorado's "Steal a Pencil For Me."

Opera Colorado is set to unveil the world premiere of a moving new production about two people who find love in the midst of one of history's greatest horrors.

Hear the premiere of "Steal a Pencil For Me" as part of a CPR Classical In Concert LIVE broadcast at 7:25 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25. We'll air the full performance from The Wolf Theater at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center in Denver.

"Steal A Pencil For Me" is based on the true story of two inmates who grew close to one another while imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. The plot follows Jaap Polak and Ina Soep, who survived the war, married and ultimately moved to the United States.

Opera Colorado's production of the piece, by composer Gerald Cohen and librettist Deborah Brevoort, marks the first time this story has been fully staged. (It was also the subject of a documentary on PBS.)

CPR Classical's broadcast, hosted by David Ginder, will feature interviews with Cohen and Brevoort.

While you wait for the premiere of "Steal a Pencil For Me," check out our behind-the-scenes look at Opera Colorado's most recent world premiere production: Lori Laitman's "The Scarlet Letter," from 2016. For more Colorado classical music, listen to Colorado Spotlight each weekday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on CPR Classical. Or check out CPR Classical's YouTube channel.