AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS
Written by Gian-Carlo Menotti
Directed by Joanna Hoty Russell
WHEN: Friday, November 30, and Saturday, December 1; two performances each night: Friday at 7:00 PM and another at 8:3 PM; Saturday at 5:00 PM and another at 7:00 PM
WHERE: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 140 Finley Ave, Basking Ridge NJ.
Soloists and ensemble will perform this heart rendering Christmas favorite with full costumes, scenery and stage lighting. Musical Accompaniment by Helen Raymaker; Set Design by William J. Ward. Staging and Choreography is assisted by Corin Pankow of Basking Ridge. [Right: ”Kings and Page” L-R John Lamb of Randolph NJ, William Corson of Basking Ridge NJ, Tom Donelan of Whippany NJ and kneeling Luke Chiafullo of Basking Ridge, NJ.]
Written in 1951, Amahl and the Night Visitors has the distinction of being the first opera written for television. A Christmas favorite, the story deals with Amahl, a young peasant shepherd boy who can only walk with the aid of a staff. As the opera opens, Amahl is very excited. He has seen a truly strange and wondrous star outside, one with a long tail the likes of which 
he has never seen. His Mother, knowing that he likes to make things up, grows angry with him and dismisses his news. Soon there is a knock at the door. When the Mother opens it, she is astonished to find three kings. They tell her that they are in search of a very special king and show Amahl and his Mother the gifts they bring. The Mother leaves to alert the neighbors to the king's presence, and they return with gifts for the three sovereigns. Later that night, the Mother gives in to temptation and tries to take some of the kings' gold for her and Amahl. She is frightened when the kings catch her; however, they do not punish her, explaining that the one they are seeking does not need their gold; that he will establish a kingdom based upon love. The Mother gives the gold back, and Amahl, moved by what he has heard, asks the kings to take his staff as a gift for the new king. As he does so, Amahl discovers that his selflessness has resulted in a miracle—he can now walk. As the opera ends, he goes with the kings to give thanks and praise to the one who has brought this miracle about. Synopsis by Craig Butler. [Above left: “Amahls and Mother”: L to R Tommy Meade (Clark NJ) playing Amahl, Susan Kirklank (New Providence NJ) as the Mother and Chance Friedman (Basking Ridge, NJ) also playing Amahl on alternating performances.]
This show will feature Susan Kirkland (New Providence, NJ) as the Mother, both Thomas Meade (Clarke,NJ) and Chance Friedman (Basking Ridge, NJ) as Amahl in alternating performances, John Lamb (Randolph, NJ) as King Balthazar, Tom Donelan (Whippany, NJ) as King Melchior and William Corson (Basking Ridge, NJ) as King Kaspar.
