OPERA TITLE: “Hansel and Gretel”
ABOUT: Written by German composer, Engelbert Humperdinck, with a libretto written by his sister, Adelheid Wette, in 1893. The libretto is adapted from the Grimm brothers’ fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel.” This production is performed in English. The idea for the opera was proposed to Humperdinck by his sister, who approached him about writing music for songs she had written for her children for Christmas based on “Hansel and Gretel.” After several revisions, the musical sketches and songs were turned into a full-scale opera.
HOSTED BY: University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Music, Theatre and Dance
TIME: 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 11) and 3 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 12)
PLACE: Miriam Drake Theatre
TICKETS: $1 for adults, children and general seating, available through the UNK Theatre Box Office in the Fine Arts Building or (308) 865-8417.
CAST: Includes UNK students and faculty member, Sharon Campbell, as the Witch. Also included are six children from the Kearney area as the Gingerbread Children.
Cast members, listed by hometown or school represented:
Henderson – Tierney Casper, Gretel, their daughter
Kearney – Brianna Melroy, dancer
North Platte – Benjamin Hill, Peter, a broom maker
Papillion – Breanna Carter, dancer
Sutherland – Shelbi Burke, sandman; Darien Myers, Gertrude, his wife
UNK Faculty – Sharon O’Connell Campbell, the witch
Japan – Mizuki Watanabe, dancer; Minori Yamauchi, dancer and dew fairy
South Korea- Hyeon Gyeong Kim, Hansel, their son
Buffalo Hills Elementary – Zane Holoubeck, gingerbread children
Home schooled – Emma Jahn, gingerbread children
Horizon Middle School – Mitchell Brandt and Seth Choi, gingerbread children
Kearney High School – Maleah Wright and Marissa Wright, gingerbread children
Artistic Staff
Artistic director / conductor – Anne Foradori
Musical director / orchestral Pianist – Jayoung Hong
Choreographer – Noelle Bohaty
Set designer / scenic artist – Ahna Packard
Costume designer – Ronald Altman
Lighting designer – Matt Benes
Children’s chorus director – Taylor Renée Gellerman
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Writer: Todd Gottula, Director of Communications, 308.865.8454, gottulatm@unk.edu
Source: Anne Foradori, Professor of Music, 308.865.8610, foradoria@unk.edu
