LEVITATOR TRIO (CLIFFORD+SHOKRAI+NORDESON) / "TWO SISTERS" BY MAX ABNER

WEST OAKLAND SOUND SERIES

LEVITATOR is a Bay Area–based trio featuring KJELL NORDESON (drums), SAFA SHOKRAI (bass), and MARK PASCUCCI-CLIFFORD (vibraphone). Performing original compositions and improvisations, the group has been developing its sound together since 2021. Rooted in the jazz tradition while drawing from free improvisation and contemporary creative music, Levitator’s music balances structure, spontaneity, and collective interplay.

Two Sisters is the next installment in MAX ABNER'S series of operas that combine set librettos with improvised music. Set in the rural enclave known as Rough River, two sets of sisters (one set unremarkable, one set former child stars) live in adjacent riverhouses overlooking the water. Each set—guarded by deeply attentive mothers—suffers from various forms of emotional arrested development. When one of the former child stars drowns in a flood, one of the more pedestrian sisters becomes convinced that she is the drowned sister, still very much alive. Two Sisters plumbs the ensuing blurriness, as mourning, care, delusion, and placation mingle in a case of mistaken and troubled identification.

Two Sisters

a work-in-progress staged reading

Creative Team:

Libretto/Score by MAX ABNER

Directed by MICHAEL ROGERSON

Musical Direction by SADIE GREYDUCK

Cast:

Max: Max Abner

Joseph: Joseph Dee Bradshaw

Sister (S): Captainmcsweeney (Kaitlin McSweeney)

Her Sister (H): Truce Hansen

Mom and Mommy: Celeste Winant

Famous Sister (F): Victoria Glavin

Other Sister (O): Guilia Chiappetta

Ensemble:

Sadie Greyduck: upright bass

Travis Snyder: pedal steel

Joseph Dee Bradshaw: acoustic guitar

Max Abner: cassettes

Tim Decillis: drums

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher sfSound