About North Country Opera
A Michigan Classic since 1982
North Country Opera, a folk musical, has been produced more than any other of Jay’s plays. It premiered in 1982 as the second play ever produced at the original Performance Network, Ann Arbor’s premier equity theater for over 30 years. Since then, it has been revived in 1992, 1993, and 2003 in Ann Arbor, and has toured across Northern Michigan: Petosky, Mackinaw Island, Escanaba, Frankfurt, and Cheboygan. A sequel, North Country Opera Continued, premiered at the Ark in 2003 to rave reviews.
The play is a loving tribute to the people and culture of northern Michigan: fishing for trout in the cold rivers, hunting for birds in the autumn woods, snowmobiling in the winter. And of course, the comradery and wit of local characters found in a favorite tavern.
1982 North Country Opera Cast & Creative:
Bottom L to R: Michael Smith, Connie Huber, Jamie Valen, Cheryl Dawdy, David Lutton, Kevin Lynch, David Hunsberger, Gary Reynolds. The rest (approximately) L to R: Tom Plum, David Menefee, Aaron Stielstra, Des Ryan, Maureen Martin, Christina McMullen, Barbara Smith, Kelly Schmidt, and Charlie Weaver. Not pictured: Buzz Tourbin.
The 2022 Revival and Recording
The 40th Anniversary revival of North Country Opera toured Michigan in October, 2022, with a cast of Michigan musical and theater luminaries. A recording of the final performance, North Country Opera: Recorded Live at The Ark, was screened for the first time at the historic Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, in front of hundreds of plaid-clad audience members. The recording is also available for home viewing on DVD or to stream from a private YouTube channel.
Reviews
“The popularity of North Country Opera stemmed from its great songs, terrific singers, a great deal of wit, and a story everyone can relate to,” says former Ark founding director Dave Siglin. “Jay Stielstra should be the poet laureate of Michigan.”
- Ann Arbor Observer, Nov 2024
“This show is a must-see for any Michigander!”
- Life in Michigan, Oct 2022
“Like some of the wily trout lurking in the streams of northern Michigan, North Country Opera is a bit of an enigma – legendary and elusive, yet filled with a simple beauty that, if you can catch it, brings untold satisfaction.”
- Ann Arbor News, 2003
“Just get in and see it, and mourn that it hasn’t become a national treasure yet, merely a local landmark. New York has the Fantastiks; we have North Country Opera”
- Ann Arbor News, 1992
“As a folk tunesmith, he [Jay] is an acknowledged master – surely one of the best our state has ever produced.”
- The Detroit News, 1992
“After seeing North Country Opera in Leland, the songs have been in my head. We loved the Opera.”
“What an absolute treat that was to see the film of NCO! And what a brilliant idea to record the last show. The video was so well done; I think I got even more out of it this second time - and could definitely see it again.”
“North Country Opera has quickly become one of my all time favorite musical plays! Midwest Americana (specifically Northern Michigan) at its finest!!!”
“From the opening notes to the standing ovation, we loved every minute and are overwhelmed by Jay's incredible talent.”- Social media reactions to 2022 tour