Modern Opera Company, founded to promote new musical work and local talent, makes its West Coast debut July 19-20 at the Mainstage at the Hudson Theatres in LA with two semi-staged presentations of a new musical about Mary Magdalene, Mary — A Musical (book, music, and lyrics by Gayla D Morgan; book co-written by Jean Mornard). Julia Maria Johnson stars in the powerhouse lead as Mary Magdalene. The cast also includes Egan Carroll, Krishna Raman, Manfred Anaya, Chloe Armantrout, Laura Barrows, Britta Sterling, Gwyn Mackenzie, Jake T. Angel, Andrew Hebert, Matthew Zunich, and Elise Walters. Jessica Schneiderman directs, with Caleb Glickman music directing. The full-length drama presents Mary Magdalene as a damaged, fiercely strong woman who learns to choose community over solitude, and to let go of fear and anger in favor of feeling love, and giving love, again. She faces the same internal struggles we deal with today: being accepted by others and, ultimately, accepting ourselves.