February 07, 2023

The baddest shop in town

Master Kutz is a family-owned, neighborhood barbershop located on the South Side of Chicago — at least, it exists there in the fictional world of The Factotum, a soulful comedy making its world premiere at Lyric this season. And like any business, real or imagined, it has to have a presence on Yelp. We found a profile of the small business, with plenty of revealing reviews.

Meet the full cast of characters and make an appointment with the baddest barber in town with The Factotum, streaming free on YouTube and at lyricopera.org/factotumonfilm.

February 03 - 12, 2023

The Factotum

The Factotum

 Grammy-nominated baritone Will Liverman joins dynamic producer/DJ/multi-instrumentalist DJ King Rico in creating a new work inspired by Rossini's The Barber of Seville that has grown into a joyful, original piece all its own, commissioned by Lyric. Updating the action to a Black barbershop on Chicago's South Side, this gifted duo has created an irresistibly upbeat work that celebrates the strength of community. 

Header photo: The company of The Factotum (Liverman/DJ King Rico) in Lyric's 2022/23 Season production. Credit: Cory Weaver

All other photos: Jaclyn Simpson, Arielle Doneson, Gordon Oliver