Digital Program | Baryshnikov Arts Presents: Eat the Document

ABOUT

Join us to celebrate the live album release of Eat the Document, an opera by John Glover and Kelley Rourke, based on the acclaimed novel by Dana Spiotta. In addition to samples of the recording, the evening will feature performances by original cast members, readings from the book, and a reception.

The album will be released on May 22 on Bright Shiny Things.

In the heyday of the seventies underground, Bobby DeSoto and Mary Whittaker—passionate, idealistic, and in love—design a series of increasingly radical protests against the Vietnam War. When one action goes wrong, the course of their lives is forever changed. The two must erase their past, forge new identities, and never see each other again. Now it is the 1990s. Mary lives in the suburbs with her fifteen-year-old son, Jason, who spends hours immersed in the music of his mother’s generation. She has no idea where Bobby is, whether he is alive or dead. A few towns away, an aging anarchist calling himself Nash presides over a bookstore/infoshop, drawing the disaffected youth of the next generation into a series of “groups” and “collectives.” Shifting between the protests in the 1970s and the consequences of those choices in the 1990s, Eat the Document explores the connection between the two eras—their language, technology, music, and activism. Recorded live at HERE during the 2025 PROTOTYPE Festival, Eat the Document was developed in collaboration with Mila Henry and Kristin Marting. This project was developed in part during a Baryshnikov Arts Residency.

All details subject to change.

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

John Glover (Composer), described as “an unabashedly expressive composer,” (The New Yorker) has created music for concert, opera, dance, and theater. He has received commissions from artists and organizations including Adam Tendler, Sasha Cooke, Kelly Bartnik, Houston Grand Opera, On Site Opera, American Composers Orchestra, The New York Youth Symphony, Washington National Opera, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, American Conservatory Theater, Mirror Visions Ensemble, and the Five Boroughs Music Festival. His work has been presented in venues ranging from Rockwood Music Hall to Carnegie Hall, The Invisible Dog to the Rothko Chapel. He frequently collaborates with librettists Kelley Rourke and Erin Bregman. In addition to his work as a composer, Glover serves as the Director of Artistic Planning for Kaufman Music Center focusing on programming a range of musical artists and creating connections across generations of music and art makers. 

Kelley Rourke (Librettist) has collaborated with composers including John Glover (Eat the Document, Right Now, Lucy, and Stay); Wang Lu (The Beekeeper); Kenji Oh (The Emissary); Kamala Sankaram (Jungle Book); Laura Karpman (Wilde Tales and And Still We Dream); Ben Moore (Odyssey and Robin Hood); Zach Redler (A River Runs Through It) and Christopher Tin (O’Keeffe: Kiss the Sky). Her work has been commissioned and performed by the Metropolitan Opera, English National Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opera Australia, Welsh National Opera, Washington National Opera, PROTOTYPE Festival, The Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Opera Parallèle, Chicago Opera Theater, Carnegie Hall, and Opera Montana, among many others. Rourke is the recipient of Opera America’s 2024 Campbell Opera Librettist Prize and two NYSCA commissioning grants. 

Mila Henry (Music Director/Pianist) maintains an active and versatile career leading works that defy genre, from rock musicals to folk operas to reimagined classics. She has worked with Lileana Blain-Cruz, Heather Christian, Bill T. Jones, George Lewis, Missy Mazzoli, Wayne Shorter, and esperanza spalding, and frequently collaborates with Beth Morrison Projects, PROTOTYPE, and VisionIntoArt. She has also worked with BalletCollective, Circle in the Square, HERE, McCarter Theatre, Octopus Theatricals, Opera Philadelphia, Pittsburgh CLO, and Ripe Time, at venues ranging from The Apollo to Dutch National Opera. In 2025, she was one of nine honorees for OPERA America’s Marineau Opera Grants for Women Stage Directors and Conductors. She is based in New York. Manhattan School of Music (M.M.); Elizabethtown College (B.A.).

Dana Spiotta (Author/Reader) is the author of five novels: Wayward, a New York Times Critics’ Top Book of the Year; Innocents and Others (2016), winner of the St. Francis College Literary Prize and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize; Stone Arabia (2011), which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award; Eat the Document (2006), which was a finalist for the National Book Award and the winner of the American Academy’s Rosenthal Foundation Award; and Lightning Field (2001), a New York Times Notable Book. Other awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, the Rome Prize in Literature, the Premio Pivano, a Creative Capital Award, and the John Updike Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Paul Chwe Minchul An (Bass) is a Korean-American multidisciplinary singer. Critically acclaimed by The New York Times, Opera News, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, and others, he has performed over 80 opera and oratorio roles in a career spanning two decades. 2024–25 season highlights include debuts with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in Stravinsky’s Renard, Park Ave Armory in Meredith Monk’s Indra’s Net, Hawaii Opera Theater and Knoxville Opera in Byron Au Yong’s Stuck Elevator, and Opera Theater Saint Louis as part of their New Works Collective. Returning engagements include Messiah with Trinity Wall Street under the baton of Dame Jane Glover. As an operatic basso cantante, he has recently performed works from Monteverdi, Mozart, Verdi and Puccini to Meredith Monk with LA Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Orlando Opera, Nashville Opera, PROTOTYPE Festival and Pacific Opera Projects. As an oratorio soloist and chamber musician, he has performed the works of early to contemporary masters with such groups as the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, 4th Wall Ensemble, and the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, in venues ranging from school gyms to Carnegie Hall. Social handle: @paulchweminchulan

Amy Justman (Soprano) has built a career spanning musical theater, classical music, and beyond. She made her Broadway debut in the 2006 revival of Company, performing the role of Susan as well as playing piano as part of the actor-orchestra. Other theatrical credits include Carousel, In Transit, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on Broadway; covering the role of Carlotta in both the Broadway and National Tour of Phantom of the Opera; five productions with City Center Encores, including the recent Titanic; and Clara in the off-Broadway revival of Passion at Classic Stage Company. Highlights of previous seasons include the PBS Great Performances’ broadcast of Bernstein’s Mass with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, David Lang’s Prisoner of the State with the New York Philharmonic, Handel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall, and A Midsummer’s Night Dream at New York City Ballet. 

Natalie Trumm (Soprano), acclaimed for her shimmering coloratura and winning stage presence, is known for her versatility in both musical theater and opera. This season, Trumm made her Lincoln Center debut as Soprano 2 in Amahl and the Night Visitors in association with The Metropolitan Opera. Other recent performances include Sissy/Berry in Eat the Document with the Prototype Festival, Nella in Gianni Schicchi, and Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly! with the American Gothic Performing Arts Festival. She is an alumna of the Bard College Vocal Arts Program and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Social handle: @natalietrumm

ABOUT BARYSHNIKOV ARTS

Baryshnikov Arts, founded in 2005 by Artistic Director Mikhail Baryshnikov and celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is rooted in the belief that artists hold irreplaceable roles in our world by shaping perspectives, offering new approaches, and initiating crucial conversations in complex social, political, and cultural environments. Our mission supports artistic freedom, providing multidisciplinary artists with opportunities for creative exploration and unique artistic expression, and allowing audiences to view the world in new ways. We offer performance and commissioning opportunities, artist residencies, rentals, and more. baryshnikovarts.org

BARYSHNIKOV ARTS STAFF

Mikhail Baryshnikov, Founder and Artistic Director
Jamie Burns, Director

ADMINISTRATION
Nicole Proto, Business Administration Manager

PROGRAMMING
Sam Black, Artistic Associate
Pedja Muzijevic, Artistic Administrator

DEVELOPMENT
Chani Sebazco, Development Manager

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Lydia Murray, Marketing and Communications Manager
Victoria Zdunkiewicz, Box Office and Digital Marketing Manager

PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS
Tyler Benware, Director of Production and Operations
Natasha Bruno, Technical and Operations Manager
Jesse Campbell, Lighting Director

CONSULTANTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
Stephen Viksjo, Graphic Designer
Eric Wolfram, Web Developer
Sean Regan, Perfect Balance Bookkeeping, Inc., Bookkeeper

FRONT-OF-HOUSE STAFF FOR EAT THE DOCUMENT: AN ALBUM RELEASE EVENT
Jennifer Rico, House Manager
Kymber Dodd, Acting Box Office Manager

Box Office Assistants/Ushers:
Felicia Avalos

Khadijah Danielian

Katie Kirk

Alice Knight

Melanie Raush

Yua Watanabe

Special thanks to our production crew, front-of-house staff, and volunteers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dave Hattem, Chairman
R. Jarrett Lilien, Treasurer
Steven C. Dupré, Secretary
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Jamie Bishton
Sandy Choi
Frank Cordasco
Carlo Di Dio
William James Earle
Sandra Foschi
Jennifer Frautschi
Slavka B. Glaser
Rebecca Goldring
Anton LeRoy
Darryl Pinckney
Shelley Washington

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Baryshnikov Arts is grateful for the contributions of its generous supporters.

Individual

Deborah & Charles Adelman
Jane L. Algus
Sarah Arison
Jody & John Arnhold
David Aron & Jake Poses
Adrienne Arsht
Joanne & Tuvia Barak
Karen Barbarese
Mikhail Baryshnikov & Lisa Rinehart
Douglas Baxter
Lori Belilove
Dr. Miriam Roskin Berger
Glenn Bergman
Leo Biagini
Jamie Bishton & Christian Kraus
Anne Boardman Miller
Emily Bookwalter
Christine Bonde
Wendy Smith Born
Antonina Bouis
Judith Bowman
Jacqueline Brogan
Ed & Sophie Bronstein
Bob Bronzo
Lynne & Jerald Brownstein
Chris Buckley & Liz Sharp
Christopher Cahill
Stacy China
Anne Clark
Cohen & Company
Anya & Peter Cole
Amy Collins
Liam Collins
Mary Genovese Colvin
Nicole Contreras
Beth Cooper
The Cordasco Family
Katie Ichtertz Cordova
Jovan Dansberry & Norman Simon
Emme Deland
George de la Pena
Jennie L. DeScherer
Janet A. Dewan
Carlo Di Dio
Alyce Dissette
Libby Rosof & Murray Dubin
Larry Dubinski & Vicki Markovitz
Steven C. Dupré, Cheryl Lee Jorgensen & Emilee Dupré
William Earle
Ruth E. Eisenberg
Auri Fenouil & Sebastian Garcia
Bradley Fenton & Marie Savard
Lynn Feinson
Robert Fisch
Alan & Judith Fishman
Gustave Fleury
Anne & Chris Flowers
Marci & Michael Frankenthaler
Meryl & Barry Freedman
Jenia & Alex Fridlyand
Diane Friedman
Kirk Gerchberg
Barbara & Steven Gilbert
Joseph Goddu
Slavka B. Glaser
David Goldenberg
Rebecca Goldring
Allen Greenberg
Agnes Gund
Laura R. Hamilton
Cynthia Harvey
Gary Hattem & Frazier Holloway
Dave & Rita Hattem
Huong Hoang
Joan Hooker
Gail Howard
James F. Ingalls
Munib Islam & Kamila Islam
Edward Jackson
Robert Jetmundsen
Kate Johnson & Marshall Hagins
Kat & Roland Jones
Susan Justman
Donalee Katz
Dorothy B. Khella
Olga Kovalishina
Larry Krantz & Margie Berman
Sali Ann Kriegsman
Linda Larson
Eugene & Deborah Lefevre
Emily lemer
Patricia Lent
LeRoy Family
Abby Levy-Westhead
Jarrett & Maritess Lilien
Michael C. Lillys
Lucy H. Lin
Josefina Lyons
Lynne & Jeff Sandhaus
Jeffrey Seller
Rebecca Malcolm-Naib
Leslie Marcus
Dan Markley & Alison Sheehy
Tonda Marton
Cynthia Mayeda
Karen McLaughlin & Mark Schubin
Justyn Millamena
Adam Miller
Catherine & Bill Miller
Maurizio Montobbio
Mark Morris
Paul Adler & David Mortimer
Kirsten Munro
Franci Neely
David Neumann & Erica Sweany
Zoe Nousiainen
Nicky Obolensky
Meredith & Jeffrey Oppenheim
Amy Sherman-Palladino & Daniel Palladino
Lorenza Panero
Katerina Papacosma
Estelle Parsons
Steve Pesner & Peace in memory of Michele Pesner
Bo Phillip
Tricia Pierson
A. Robert Pietrzak
Darryl Pinckney & James Fenton
Loren H. Plotkin & Carol A. Baxter
Noah & Georgina Poses
Fred & Nancy Poses
Arin Amanda Prisand
Aidan & Elizabeth Quinn
Caren Rabbino
Svetlana Rabey
Frank & Haydée Rainieri
Douglas P. Reetz
Jenny Rickard
Cookie & Jerry Riesenbach
Laila Robbins
James Roe & Gemzel Hernandez
Robert Rosener
Howard & Vesna Sacks
Ann Sacks & Rick Stratford
Herbert Sambol
John Sansone
Laura Schoen & Bob Kaufman
Robert Schulman
Alan Schuster
Laura & Howard Schwartz
Wallace Shawn
Linda Shelton
Sondra Siegel
Sheree Silvey
Kraemer Sims
Leslie Smolan
Lenore Steiner & Perry Lerner
Ellen Steiner
Christina Sterner & Steve Poses
Karin Strasswimmer
Shelley Washington & David Swenson
Lisa Takemoto
Michael Tersigni & David Palachek
Jennifer Tipton
N Beber
Nancy Umanoff
Julie C. Van Camp
Illiana van Meeteren
Deidra Wager
Roberta Waldman
Deborah E. Ward
Suzanne Weil
Gwen Welliver
Jedediah Wheeler
Thomas Whitburn
Edgar Wilson
Joe Wisenblit
Vicente Wolf
Cooper Wright
Matthew Yee
John & Evonne Yonover
Peter Ziemba & Terry Siegel

As of March 2, 2026.

Institutional

Alphadyne Foundation
Apotheosis Events
Arnhold Foundation
KK Auchincloss Creativity Fund
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Norris & Debra Bishton Foundation
Brooklyn Fare
Cohen & Company
Cyrus Capital Partners
Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
Enoch Foundation
The Marshall Frankel Foundation
Gartner
Global Atlantic
Howard Gilman Foundation
The Goldring Family Foundation
The Harkness Foundation for Dance
The Francena T. Harrison Foundation Trust
William Talbott Hillman Foundation
Hudson Yards/Related
Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance
Alex Katz Foundation
Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation
Mertz Gilmore Foundation
New York State Council on the Arts
Omega Systems
Muriel Pollia Foundation
The Poses Family Foundation
Fundación Frank & Haydée Rainieri
The Jerome Robbins Foundation
The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc.
The Shubert Foundation
The Thompson Family Foundation

As of March 2, 2026.

Baryshnikov Arts programming made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

Funding made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Yamaha is the official piano of Baryshnikov Arts.