On Wednesday, Feb. 2, Southeastern Louisiana University Opera/Music Theatre Workshop introduced its newest performance, “Street Scene: An American Opera in Two Acts,” which was originally composed by German composer Kurt Weil in 1947.

 “Street Scene” is set in a 1930s New York City apartment building occupied by eight lower class families from different ethnic backgrounds. It is an emotional story of gossip, passion, deceit and murder.

The show’s major dramatic focus is on Frank Maurrant, Anna Maurrant, Rose Maurrant and Sam Kaplan. Sam is in love with Rose, who has problems reaching dreams of her own and also struggles with her parents’ rocky relationship. The show reaches its climax when Frank catches Anna cheating on him with the milk collector. Frank shoots and kills them both.

The tragedy of her mother’s death and father’s arrest pushes Rose’s need to get away from the New York City apartment building, leaving Sam and his love for her behind.

Guest director, Rachel M. Harris, who has performed in and directed many shows in her previous years, directed “Street Scene.” The production included more than 50 members of the cast and crew. The leading characters were played by Grady Sandidge as Frank Maurrant, Sarah Bertrand as Anna Maurrant, Kayla Louis as Rose Maurrant and Joshua Williams as Sam Kaplan. The music for the show was produced and conducted by Charles Effler, the director of the Opera/Music Theatre Workshop.

“It’s really dark, but the music is great,” said Effler. “I’m very satisfied with the performance and the cast is thrilled as well.”

The cast and crew were all very excited to be able to put on “Street Scene” and having it turn out as wonderful as it did made everyone even more excited.

“It was magical,” said one of the leading actresses, Kayla Louis. “Being able to perform it was a magical experience. And it was even more magical to see it be a success.”

The performance was not only a satisfying experience for those who were involved in the production of “Street Scene,” but for the audience as well. It ended with a standing ovation and applause from all who were in attendance.

“The audience loved it,” said Effler.

From the combination of the set design and the actors’ performances, the show was a great representation of the time period it was set in and had a wonderful plot that incorporated different types of people and relatable issues.

“The show was amazing,” said audience member, Pete Boraks. “It was an amazing portrayal of early twentieth century life in the form of opera and was very enjoyable to see.”