Opera Manhattan Proclaims December 23
HANSEL AND GRETEL DAY
Opera Manhattan Repertory Theatre, New York’s “company for artists by artists”, celebrates the anniversary of the December 23, 1893, premiere of Hansel and Gretel with a new production by director Beth Greenberg. The interactive and delightfully scary production opens at the Acorn Theatre on West 42nd St. on December 23 and runs through January 1.
Hansel and Gretel has always been Engelbert Humperdinck’s most popular work. The opera premiered in Weimar on December 23, 1893, under the baton of fellow composer Richard Strauss, who called it “a masterpiece of the highest quality… all of it original, new, and so authentically German.” In 1923 London’s Royal Opera House chose it for their first complete radio opera broadcast. Eight years later it was the first opera transmitted live from the Metropolitan Opera.
In this production, selected children ages 7 and up can take part in the show during the performance, meet Hansel and Gretel themselves, and even throw snowballs at the Witch. Each show will start with a brief presentation designed to teach kids and their parents about Hansel and Gretel.
Director Beth Greenberg, known for her “sure theatrical hand” according to Opera News, has created an inventive production that incorporates enough of the darkness and playfulness of the original Grimm fairy tale and to delight kids of all ages. “Kids love to be frightened, they love excitement, and they love music. They won’t go away disappointed!” says Greenberg, who has directed operas both traditional and new for high-profile opera companies including New York City Opera.
Performance dates and times are:
Dec. 23 – 3 and 6 pm
Dec. 24 – 2 pm
Dec. 26 – 6 pm
Dec. 27 – 6 pm
Dec. 28- 3 and 6 pm
Dec. 29 – 3 and 6 pm
Dec. 30 – 3 and 6 pm
Jan. 1 – 3 and 6 pm
Tickets are available through Telecharge at www.broadwayoffers.com or (212) 239-6200. Use code TRPRD for a discounted ticket price–$35 instead of the $55 full price.
Opera Manhattan Repertory Theatre’s mission is to empower emerging artists, encourage creative thinking, and develop business-minded artists by creating opportunities for artists to produce operas themselves—a company for artists by artists.
For further information see www.operamanhattan.com.
