This concert, a workshop presentation, introduces a new dramatic song cycle based on Houston artist Henry Ray Clark (1936–2006), a street hustler also known as the “Magnificent Pretty Boy.” The songs, brought to life by the unique bluegrass- and folk-tinged sound of the Grant Wallace Band, explore the redemptive power of art. While serving time in Huntsville State Prison, Clark discovered his natural talent for visual art, at one point saying “I am never imprisoned as long as I can draw.” His colorful drawings often feature otherworldly images, detailed patterning, and display a unique sensibility.
Co-presented with Houston Grand Opera
