LALOVAVI
Music by Kevin Day
Libretto by Tifara Brown
ACT I: AWAKENING
In a dream, Persephone witnesses a torrential chemical rain sweeping the land, and people are dropping dead in droves under its fury. A woman runs with a small child, trying to save her from the deadly rain. The people call out to Persephone, encouraging her to live and avenge them. Persephone wakes up in a panic, and her nursemaid, Dinah, comes and comforts her. Persephone and Dinah attend an event at Atlan Square, where Titan, the ruler of Atlas and Persephone’s father, is speaking to the Atlan Assembly, offering laud for their glorious rise to power. The people’s caste representatives express their restlessness at being trapped inside the walls. Persephone suggests sending scouts outside the walls to investigate, but Titan reaffirms the danger of life outside, threatening punishment for resistance. Persephone socializes among the Atlans, showing her sincere love for the people. The citizens of Atlas mourn their plight, working only for the glory of Atlas.
Persephone prepares for Zipporah’s presentation ceremony, where she will become a member of the elite Atlan society. Persephone expresses her concern that Zipporah is giving up her freedom. Persephone reflects on her longing for a new way of life. At the ceremony, Zipporah is revealed to be a COGNILITE, the highest caste of Atlas. Dr. Apollos, the head geneticist of Atlas, reveals a synthetic version of Syndica called Cognita, a product by law that all Atlans must intake to maintain their Syndica levels. However, Apollos has laced Cognita with an obedience agent, which overtakes the guests. Titan commands Dr. Apollos to move up Persephone’s Syndica assessment, as they must find the “Tree of Life” gene so he can live forever. Persephone is later found to have the eternal gene. Apollos and Titan roll out the Ascension Protocol, the event where those weak in Syndica will be killed to keep it strong in the population. Guards are sent to retrieve Persephone for cellular extraction as Dinah runs to warn her. Dinah prepares Persephone to escape for her life. The resistance rises as Persephone escapes Atlas.
ACT II: RESISTANCE
Persephone begins her journey in the world outside Atlas and muses on her wonder and excitement. She attempts to get water from the river when she falls in and is helped by a stranger. Persephone recognizes this figure as Lucian, the leader of Titan’s elite guard, who has left and joined the resistance. Inspired by her escape, he asks to join her on the way to Nunewaks. She does not fully trust him, but she agrees that he can help her.
In Atlas, Titan has captured Dinah. He tortures her to find out where Persephone is; she condemns his tyranny and refuses. The rebels stage an attack and break her out of the dungeon. Titan executes the guards who were defeated by the rebels. Persephone and Lucian experience the wonder of the otherworldly, bioluminescent forest. They talk together about Lucian’s past and the land of the free rebels, Nunewaks. Persephone and Lucian are attacked by a reptilian beast, but they work together to fend it off. Lucian sings a Nunewaks lullaby to Persephone, and she unlocks memories of her past, dreaming feverishly about her mother and her ability to influence the world around her. Persephone unlocks her power over the elements to save Lucian from dying after being poisoned by flowers in the river. The Nunewaks Warriors find Persephone and Lucian as Persephone passionately reunites with her long-lost mother, Niamara. Niamara and the Warriors sing the history song of Nunewaks, sharing the story of Atlas with Persephone, and empowering her to fulfill her destiny.
ACT III: LALOVAVI
While Lucian is on guard, Dinah arrives with news from Atlas of Titan assembling the army. Niamara, Dinah, and Lucian escort Persephone to the realm of the Guardian of Nunewaks, Ivavi, a giant cobra spirit who protects Nunewaks from the unworthy. Ivavi tests Persephone’s power and intent. Persephone has the chance to exact vengeance on her enemies, but she refuses. Having passed the test, Ivavi bestows her born name back on her, and Persephone emerges as LALOVAVI, liberator of Atlas. The warriors all join together and form a battle march to the walls of Atlas. The armies of Atlas and Nunewaks have assembled for the last battle. Titan has begun the Ascension Protocol, gathering the weak in Syndica for their imminent death. Persephone and Lucian rescue Zipporah from Titan’s clutches, and Niamara is mortally wounded, saving Persephone. The rebel army defeats Apollos and the army of Atlas. Persephone crumbles the walls of Atlas, crushing Titan to death and breaking his control over Atlas. Niamara dies in Persephone’s arms as the warriors mourn. Persephone brings her back with the kiss of life, and the rain falls, natural and life-giving. Persephone celebrates freedom and love in her new home of Nunewaks.
“Lalovavi” Illustration: Dr. Sam Martin / Digital Wild Art