Written by Italian American Composer Gian Carlo Menotti in 1951,
“Amahl” was the first opera originally written for television.
Following the great success of our first fully staged production last Christmas, Opus Concert Theatre announces an expanded production of Amahl and the Night Visitors at Slayton House Theatre in Wilde Lake Village, Columbia, MD. Amahl and the Night Visitors is an inspiring story that many enjoy year after year as part of their Holiday celebrations,” says Opus Concert Theatre Artistic Director Diana Cantrelle. “As theaters do with A Christmas Carol and ballet companies do with The Nutcracker, we have created a production that is part of our Holiday Tradition. This year we are expanding the production to fill the stage of Slayton House Theatre as well as adding a chamber orchestra.”
Cantrelle adds, “With this beautiful music and the universal heartwarming story, there won’t be a dry eye in the house.”
Menotti was inspired by his childhood memories of Christmas in Italy, where the Three Magi bring gifts to children, just as American children believe that Santa Claus does. The opera became a Christmas tradition on NBC for more than a decade, and has been produced as a stage production in opera companies across America every year since. “The success of Amahl can be attributed to the relevance of the story”, adds Opus president Kevin Crysler. “While the story is based on the journey of the Three Magi, the moral of the story is universal and can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their faith tradition.”
Amahl and the Night Visitors will first be performed in a Sunday afternoon dinner theatre at Germano’s Piattini in Baltimore’s Little Italy on December 16 – lunch seating begins at noon, showtime at 1 pm. On Friday, December 21 it comes to Slayton House Theatre in Wilde Lake Village, with two evening and two matinee performances through the weekend. This season’s offering conclude with a special Feast of the Epiphany performance at New Hope Lutheran on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 3 pm. New Hope welcomes all from the community to attend.
General Admission tickets for performances at the Slayton House Theatre and New Hope Lutheran are $28 for Adults, $18 for Seniors, Students and Children. Tickets for the Germano’s performance are $20 (does not include lunch). At Germanos we will also be having a Holiday Favorites Sing-a-long!
Diana Cantrelle reprises the role of the Mother, a role she debuted at the Santa Barbara Opera, in California. Gregory Scott Stewart returns to direct, choreograph and to sing the role of the Page.
THE COMPANY
Conductor – Jordan Randall Smith
Concert Pianist/ Accompanist – Aejin Kim
Opus Concert Theatre Chamber Players
Production Manager/ Assistant Director – Kevin Crysler
Directed and Choreographed by Gregory Scott Stuart
Amahl – Skyler Betz / Elena Wenderoth
Mother – Diana Cantrelle
King Kaspar – Leroy Smith
King Melchior – Matthew Ogden
King Balthazar – Youngsoo An
Page – Gregory Scott Stewart
****
CALENDAR INFORMATION
Germano’s Piattini
300 S. High Street
Baltimore MD 21202
Sunday, Dec 16
Lunch door opens at noon
Performance at 1 pm
Slayton House Theatre
Wilde Lake Village
10400 Cross Fox Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
(Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance)
Friday, December 21 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 22 Matinée 3:00 pm; Evening 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 23 Matinée at 3:30 pm
New Hope Lutheran Church
8575 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046
Feast of the Epiphany Celebration
Saturday, January 5 Matinée at 3 pm
Community is Welcome
Proceeds goes to the Music Ministry at New Hope Lutheran Church