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Friday, November 22, 2013

CHRISTMAS CLASSIC RETURNS TO BASKING RIDGE BY LIGHT OPERA OF NEW JERSEY

Image-10-1024x689[1]Amahl and the Night Visitors
Music and Lyrics by Gian Carlo Menotti            
Directed by Joanna Hoty Russell

WHEN: Friday, December 13, at 5 PM and 7 PM; Saturday, December 14, at 5 PM and 7 PM
WHERE:
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 140 South.Finley Ave in Basking Ridge
TICKETS: $20 ($10 for children 12 and under)
www.LightOperaOfNewJersey.org or by calling 973.219.3106

This Christmas classic, Amahl and the Night Visitors, has the distinction of being the first opera written for television back in 1951. The story deals with Amahl, a young peasant shepherd boy who can only walk with the aid of a staff, and his widowed mother who is doing her best to look after him.  Amazing things transpire when the two are visited by three royal kings on their way to see the Christ child in Bethlehem. This operetta is a sweet warm story and is especially well suited for children.

This show will feature Susan Kirkland (New Providence, NJ) as the Mother, both Andrew Pulver (Summit, NJ) and Daniel Celentano (Bernardsville, 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.

Under the direction of Joanna Hoty Russell, of Murray Hill, NJ soloists and ensemble will perform this heart rending 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 Jillian Petrie of Hackettstown, NJ.