With one foot in popular culture, the other firmly planted in tradition – based on a true story, SUCKER is an exciting, original hybrid of established operatic form. The opera was conceived from a songwriter’s point of view. That is, to tell a simple story in my own words set to my own music. An accessible, tuneful, immediate sound world draws from an attractive mixture of serious and popular music. The libretto and dramatic structure were greatly influenced by soap opera – obvious, a little kitsch, with lots of cliff hangers.

Albert Prestridge, an aging, trusting, depressed, lonely divorcee, employed as a record store manager and night time paper delivery driver is a very unhappy man. The dark, overly dramatic, and slightly comical story begins at an engagement party for Bert’s ex-wife and best friend. As events unfold through the introduction of a colorful cast of characters, we come to find out Mr. Prestridge’s best friend had an affair with his wife, whom he is now marrying. An acquaintance bravely comes forward and confess this horrific betrayal hidden by his friends. Struck down by the terrible news, Bert begins a slow downward spiral, falling deeper and deeper into depression until he is no longer able to cope.