West Chester University Opera Theatre Presents HANSEL & GRETEL May 3 & 4
Children Under 11 Years of Age are FREE
West Chester University’s (WCU) Wells School of Music (WSOM) and the West Chester University Opera Theatre Presents HANSEL & GRETEL by Englebert Humperdinck on Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 4, at 3 p.m., in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building, 700 S. High Street, West Chester. Tickets are only $10 for adults, and $5 for non-WCU students and seniors and are available at https://wcupatix.com. Students, faculty, staff, and children under 11 enjoy free tickets (with proper i.d.)
The familiar and beloved fairy tale HANSEL & GRETEL by the Brothers Grimm comes to life as an opera with enchanting music by Engelbert
Humperdinck. In the show, the young brother and sister lose their way in the woods
and encounter the witch’s irresistible gingerbread house, but the chilling drama and
delectable melodies are perfectly sweetened by a happy ending.
Director of Opera Nicholas Provenzale says, “This production, sung in English, is perfect for the whole family and we can’t wait to share it with the community.”
WCU Opera Theatre partnered with Papermoon Opera Productions to bring the show to
life.
Papermoon is a collection of artists who use of lighting and projection design is
combined with sets and costumes that are primarily made of paper. The show was customized
specially for Asplundh Hall where the show is being performed, resulting in a stylized
design that is both beautiful and magical.
HANSEL AND GRETEL is accompanied and conducted by Joseph Hodge and the WCU Chamber Orchestra.
Provenzale adds, “Musically, the cast has done an outstanding job preparing the gorgeous and often challenging music. Englebert Humperdinck was a contemporary of Richard Wagner and you can hear Wagner’s influence in the rich orchestration and use of chromaticism, which Humperdinck combines with folk-like melodies to give the score a youthful feeling.”
The cast of HANSEL AND GRETEL includes:
Haley Phares – Hansel 5/3, Mary Kate McKenzie – Hansel 5/4, Julia Webster – Gretel 5/3, Jess McNeely – Gretel 5/4, Elise Leid – Mother, Quinn Adams – Father 5/3, Braedon O’Hara – Father 5/4, Maddie Griffith – Sandman, Dew Fairy – Lauren Saks, Witch – Anastasia Groden 5/3, Lily Gonglik 5/4.