FELLOW TRAVELERS by San Diego Opera Premieres in Southern California

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The Gregory Spears opera features Andy Acosta and Joseph Lattanzi at the historic Balboa Theatre.

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On July 10–12, 2026, San Diego Opera will present the Southern California premiere of the opera Fellow Travelers at the historic Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego. Based on the 2007 novel by Thomas Mallon, Fellow Travelers explores the intersection of love, politics and identity set against the backdrop of a forgotten chapter of LGBTQ+ history known as the “Lavender Scare.” With a score by composer Gregory Spears and libretto by Greg Pierce , the opera tells the story of Hawkins Fuller and Timothy Laughlin and how they navigate a secret romance in a time of intense scrutiny and fear.

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“I saw Fellow Travelers about ten years ago,” says David Bennett , the Joann Clark General Director and CEO of San Diego Opera, “and I've been looking for an opportunity to bring it to our audience ever since. The story it tells of these two men, their relationship, and their choices in the midst of the Lavender Scare and McCarthyism is incredibly moving. The musical score is beautiful and the cast is top-notch. I can't wait to share Fellow Travelers with San Diego.” Director Kevin Newbury is no stranger to the captivating world of Fellow Travelers, having directed the work's premiere and subsequent productions across the country. San Diego Opera Resident Conductor Bruce Stasyna will conduct the musicians of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Tenor Andy Acosta, now a San Diego resident, will reprise the role of Timothy Laughlin, a role he has performed in three different productions. Baritone Joseph Lattanzi – praised by The New York Times as “splendid…luxuriant and robust” for his performance in Fellow Travelers' world premiere – stars as Hawkins Fuller. Soprano Vanessa Becerra will bring to life the role of Miss Lightfoot and soprano Amber R. Monroe will perform as Mary Johnson . The cast also includes Marcus DeLoach, Elisa Sunshine, Randell McGee, Kyle Pfortmiller and Jeremy Weiss. San Diego Opera's production of Fellow Travelers will mark the work's only California performances this year, underscoring the significance of the company's presentation as part of the opera's Tenth Anniversary Tour . Since its 2016 world premiere at Cincinnati Opera, Fellow Travelers has garnered national recognition with productions at opera companies in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Arizona. Co-produced by Up Until Now Collective and led by Jecca Barry and director Kevin Newbury , the anniversary tour launched in Seattle and Portland before arriving in San Diego, with future engagements scheduled at New York's Glimmerglass Festival in summer 2026, Austin Opera in February 2027 and Washington National Opera in March 2028. “I am thrilled to share this beautiful opera with San Diego audiences,” says director Kevin Newbury . “As we bring Fellow Travelers across the country in celebration of the opera's tenth anniversary, I have been reflecting a lot on my values as an artist, especially as a Queer artist making work during these uncertain times. I believe in the power of history. I believe in the power of art to build community. And I believe in the power of a good love story. And Fellow Travelers is, first and foremost, a good love story.” San Diego Opera will present three performances of Fellow Travelers: on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2:00 pm. The presentation is part of San Diego Opera's ongoing commitment to the development and furthering of contemporary and innovative opera.

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/san-diego/article/FELLOW-TRAVELERS-to-Make-Southern-California-Premiere-at-San-Diego-Opera-20260522)._