Fire Shut Up in My Bones NYC Reviews and Tickets

89%

(80 Ratings)

Positive

93%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great singing, Entertaining, Absorbing, Thought-provoking, Ambitious

About the Show

A jazz-infused opera by Terence Blanchard, based on the Book by Charles M. Blow.

Terence Blanchard’s gripping dramatic opera returns following its landmark company premiere in 2021, with bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green starring as Charles, a young man faced with a weighty decision. Soprano Latonia Moore once again takes on the heartbreaking role of Charles’s mother, Billie, with rising soprano Brittany Renee doing triple duty as Charles’s love interest, Greta, as well as the embodiments of Loneliness and Destiny.

James Robinson and Camille A. Brown’s thrilling production includes what may be the only step dance in opera. Evan Rogister conducts Blanchard’s score, which powerfully melds opera and jazz.

Content Advisory: Fire Shut Up in My Bones addresses adult themes and contains some adult language.

Show-Score Member Reviews (14)

Great singing, Great staging, Resonant, Riveting, Absorbing

See it if Outstanding & powerful production with exceptional voices. Bravo!

Don't see it if No negative comments.

Disappointingly minimalist staging, Masterful, Dizzying, Great writing, Great singing

See it if A modern opera about recovering from childhood trauma appeals. This isn't a light one, but there's a lot of joy in it.

Don't see it if It deals with sexual abuse of a child; probably best to know that going in. It's a modern opera in English, which isn't everyone's cuppa.

Thought-provoking, Edgy, Relevant, Great singing, Entertaining

See it if you enjoy new opera - here there is varied music, great choreography and an ever-changing set that keeps the action flowing in a good story.

Don't see it if you would not like gunshots in your opera, or listening to some frank language. A bit repetitive and slow in parts.

Thought-provoking, Slow, Resonant, Relevant, Great singing

See it if Act 3 was engaging and powerful. Great standout stepping scene. Latonia Moore was terrific.

Don't see it if Slow, and repetitive at times. Subject matter of childhood sexual abuse can be triggering for some. Course language.

Thought-provoking, Edgy, Great singing, Ambitious, Intense

See it if Blanchard's melancholic, jazz-infused opera deals w/such loaded topics as sexual molestation & Christianity Exquisitely sung by its 3 leads

Don't see it if Lemmons' libretto flags somewhat in the later stages of the piece as we await Charles' much hoped for / needed redemption & reconciliation

First opera by black composer at met, Based on c blow's searing coming of age memoir

See it if inspiring tale how young blk La boy transcends childhood trauma; marvelous fusion classicl/gospel/jazz; GreatSet; SoaringVocals esp LMoore

Don't see it if you're expecting Puccini; story does not take off till end of 1st Act; not all scenes work; few memorable arias

Great acting, Thought-provoking, Authentic, Great singing, Entertaining

See it if you would enjoy an intimate Black autobiographical modern opera that is melodic and epic in scale, with great singing and effective staging

Don't see it if you prefer traditional European opera, don’t like Black themed shows, or saw Champion and expect the same level of composition and content Read more

Intense, Slow, Great staging, Great singing, Absorbing

See it if A contemporary opera tackling a sensitive subject with outstanding lead performances. 2nd and 3rd acts were very memorable

Don't see it if At 3 hrs, this is a long one and the 1st act meandered. Sometimes the mix of jazz, gospel, contemporary with opera worked, sometimes not.

Critic Reviews (2)

"The raucous fraternity step dance that opens the third act brought down the house."
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"...the burden is on the singers, not the story, to keep things moving."
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Trailer

Creative team

The Metropolitan Opera House