Pianist Michael Santana will play for Cooper in this multimedia event created for Cooper by the award-winning playwright and director L.B. Hamilton. Performances will be at Three Notch Theatre Feb. 13, 14 and 15. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

 

“We are deeply honored that The Newtowne Players invited us to be part of their anniversary celebration,” Hamilton said. “Anyone who has seen Jennifer perform in any musical genre she has graced will agree that there could be no better way to celebrate Cupid’s month of love than by her unforgettable voice and story.”

 

Cooper, a Maryland native, was blessed at birth with an amazing vocal instrument, a strong work ethic, a deep sense of destiny and a Type-A personality. She spent her childhood as a rising star, pleasing audiences, impressing coaches and directors and “…was shamelessly thrilled to do so.”

 

By her twenties, the opera world had found her; its audiences adored her and critics praised her. Cooper was standing on the threshold of international Diva-dom, preparing for a world tour where she would sing 12 lead roles with major (“A” House) opera companies. Then, in the wink of fate’s eye, the party was over.

 

Years later, Cooper met Hamilton through a series of coincidences. Hamilton, always on the prowl for a good story, “pried” the very private Cooper’s personal story out of her and dared the reluctant ex-Diva to get back on stage. Since then, Go-DIVA! (and its pared-down version, Musically Me) has been making audiences happy. Because of Go-DIVA’s success, Hamilton and Cooper have been commissioned to create other musical theatre and cabaret entertainments throughout the region.

 

According to Hamilton, Cooper is a chanteuse who “switches from rock-a-bye-baby to rockabilly without blinking an eye.” GO-DIVA!, touted as a poignant musical tale of hubris and humor, tells of “Little Coop’s” sparkling, albeit imaginary, star-studded rock-and-roll tours in her parents’ basement; the horror of losing the gift which always seemed divinely ordained and her rocky, sometimes comical launch of a second act in life and theatre.

 

As part of its five-year anniversary celebration, The Newtowne Players will hold raffle drawings and post-show artist and audience discussions on Feb. 13 and Feb. 15. Following the performance on Feb. 14, audience members can join the Go-DIVA! artistic team for a special “Sweet & Sinful” chocolate and champagne reception with a silent auction for an additional $5 at the door the night of the show.

 

Reservations are recommended. Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 for students, seniors and the military. Group reservations (10 or more) cost $12. To reserve tickets, please call the box office at (301) 737-5447 or visit www.newtowneplayers.org. Performances will be held at Three Notch Theatre at 21744 South Coral Drive in Lexington Park.