“Blue” is a contemporary opera lauded as a modern American classic, and it’s getting a new life at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Directed by librettist Tazewell Thompson, the opera follows a Black family grappling with grief after they lose their son to police violence. The family, all of whom are nameless and simply referred to as Father, Mother and Son, find healing through faith and their community that’s been shaken by an all-too-common tragedy.

The story is complicated by the relationship between the father and son who are in opposition with one another. Father is a police officer who pushes his rebellious teenage son to change his attitude, pull up his pants and cut his hair to better present himself and keep himself safe.

Son isn’t moved by these suggestions or impressed by his dad’s profession, actively opposing the system Father works under. While attending a rally, Son is shot and killed by an officer.

The role of Father was written for Kenneth Kellogg, who has performed the role around the globe, tapping into a heightened emotional space that lends itself to the art form.

“The father comes from a generation of follow the law, do things in the correct way, or whatever the correct way is, and you’ll be safe in the world,” Kellogg said. “The son is from the generation of: ‘I have to do something and say something for the system to change and if I don’t do it, then things won’t change.’”

Kellogg said playing a parental figure was easier for him as he’s able to take experience from his own life. Being a Black cop, on the other hand, was less familiar territory.

“Tazewell, the director, had the brilliant idea of me meeting with an actual police officer who was Black,” Kellogg said. “His name was Frank, and he consulted Tazewell in developing the piece. So I asked Frank: ‘Why, as a Black man, why choose to be a police officer?’ And his answer had nothing to do with division, and it was all about humanity and wanting to help and better his community.”

Zoie Reams is a Chicago native playing the role of Mother for the first time. She said outside of the difficult conversation and portrayal of violence in “Blue,” the show also amplifies a love story not often seen in opera.

“The mother sings about how she’s loved by this man,” Reams said. “I think that is super important, the dichotomy of it’s not perfect, but I know this man loves me, and for Black love to be on stage, I think is so beautiful.”

The mezzo-soprano said the medium of opera may be one of the most impactful tools used to tell uncomfortable stories because it emphasizes a natural connection: the human voice.

“I think it’s a perfect way to amplify those stories and have more difficult conversations like this show does,” Reams said. “I’m just happy that people are going to be able to see this, people that look like the people that are on stage.”

“Blue” opens Saturday at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and runs through Dec. 1.