Kirk Muspratt, Artistic Director
and Music Director
  Jessica Morrison of Northwoods, as stand-in Witch for Carrie Mineck of West Des Moines, Iowa, who will perform the Witch role. Pictured on right is Nina Heebink of Chicago, who will perform the role of Hansel. DuPage Opera Theatre presents “Hansel and Gretel” Hänsel und Gretel verliefen sich im Wald. review by Ed Vincent The Du Page Opera decided to lighten the image and portrayal of Hansel and Gretel somewhat. Instead of the drama taking place in the dark woods of a frightening forest in Germany, the setting is in a toy shop - a place less threatening, and more playful. Reaching out to young people is a goal of all the arts and this production is more suited to the entire family.  Engelbert Humperdinck's music was written as favor to his sister who wanted a few tunes to go with a musical story of the Grimm's tale Hansel and Gretel. It was enjoyed so much by all that Humperdinck decided to make it into a full opera. Humperdinck's beginning is beautiful in its sweet melody and glowing resonance of tone. The original production of Hänsel und Gretel was conducted by Richard Strauss, and he loved the opera. Maestro Kirk Muspratt takes the place of Strauss in this production and does a wonderful job in the intimate setting of the DuPage Opera's auditorium. The director, Geoffrey Edwards, does a fine job of taking a troubling tale of children set to be abandoned in the woods by their evil stepmother and makes it a lighter hearted adventure with wonderful staging, costumes and lighting. Each of the three acts has a new element of magic to watch for, beautiful angels dancing, young children brought back to life from their candy existence, to sing a glorious chorus of life and plenty of scenes with kids that would have made Flo Ziegfeld proud.  The singers were all portrayed with good vocal talent and their theatrics were amazing, and continued that way into the lobby after the show. The welcoming, playful setting was a fun turn on the production, and the Hitchcock like ending a thrill for the parents and older folks. The playful like drama ends with an oven that resembles a John Wayne Gacey like clown face, so those with Coulrophobia might avert their eyes.  The evening was a huge success and the show should run for weeks instead of days, but that is not the case. Wonderfully creative, innovative, imaginative, and loaded with talent....get your tickets soon.  Mrs. and Mr. Ryan Edwards with the Director and son Geoffrey Edwards. © Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. Geoffrey Edwards, the director is the son of the much loved and world renown Baritone Mr. Ryan Edwards, who in 2006 received the Opera Music Theater International Lifetime Achievement Award. Having stared at the MET in some incredible productions for several decades he now teaches Master Classes and writes books with his son-the director of this fine production. Information below on the books and history of the Edwards http://www.the-edwards-site.com/photos/ http://www.omti.org/ryan_edwards.html  The Witch signs autographs for the kids, in the lobby.     Jessica Morrison of Northwoods, as stand-in Witch for Carrie Mineck of West Des Moines, Iowa, who will perform the Witch role. Pictured on right is Nina Heebink of Chicago, who will perform the role of Hansel. DuPage Opera Theatre presents “Hansel and Gretel” Muspratt brings whimsy and wonder to Humperdinck’s score Artistic and Music Director Kirk Muspratt and DuPage Opera Theatre present Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel,” a musical fairy tale, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26 and 27, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The opera will be sung in English, with the New Philharmonic orchestra in the pit. DuPage Opera Theatre gives a whimsical twist to the classic tale, creating a fantasy world filled with doll-like children, a fantastic gingerbread house and a witch with cotton candy hair. “Some versions of Hansel and Gretel are dark and frightful,” said Muspratt. “We wanted something exactly opposite of that. We’ve given the production a light-hearted spin, with a dream-like world as our setting.” “Serious opera lovers will be truly enchanted by this wonderful new production,” Muspratt continued. The story of Hansel and Gretel follows two hungry and mischievous children lost in the woods. Their journey takes a twist when they find a gingerbread house inhabited by an evil witch – a witch who plans to eat the children. Stage Director Geoffrey Edwards turns the forest into a magical toy store with exaggerated props and special effects, including a scene where the witch takes off across stage on a rocking horse. The characters get colorful and animated costuming by designer Allison Greaves. “Expect things popping out of boxes, color and light everywhere, and plenty of surprises,” said Edwards. “It’s a feast for the eyes.” Local opera talent takes the lead in the production including Cari Plachy of Westchester as Gretel and Nina Heebink of Chicago as Hansel. Special guest artists include the internationally-famous Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, conducted by Emily Ellsworth, and dancers from Von Heidecke’s Chicago Festival Ballet, directed by Kenneth von Heidecke. “Hansel and Gretel” is part of DuPage Opera Theatre’s 30th anniversary season, a year-long celebration of making music in the suburbs. Tickets are $43 for adults, $41 for senior citizens; $33 for students and patrons under age 17. To purchase, call 630-942-4000 or visit www.atthemac.org. About DuPage Opera Theatre Since 1977, DuPage Opera Theatre (DOT) has given opera a voice in the western suburbs of Chicago. The professional ensemble is led by Artistic and Music Director Kirk Muspratt. Under Muspratt’s direction, DOT provides innovative operatic programming for its patrons while engaging opera novices through education and outreach. DuPage Opera Theatre is a professional resident company at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn and performs a full season annually. About the McAninch Arts Center The McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage (MAC) is a state-of-the-art facility serving as a home for professional theater, music, dance, comedy, opera and visual art. Housing three distinctive performance spaces and an art gallery, the MAC provides a central location in the DuPage area where Northern Illinois residents can experience, as audience members and/or participants, all the arts under one roof. Since 1986, more than a million people have attended performances, gallery exhibits or rental events at the facility. During the 2005 season alone, the MAC welcomed more than 80,000 patrons from a total of 213 Illinois towns and 23 states. In the 2006-07 season, more than 250 performances are scheduled including the best in dance, classical, pop, jazz, theatre and comedy. For tickets and information, please call (630) 942-4000 or visit www.AtTheMAC.org http://www.cod.edu/artscntr/events.htm http://www.cod.edu/artscntr/ From East Take westbound Interstate 290 (Eisenhower Expressway) to westbound Interstate 88 (East-West Tollway), exit on Route 53 North. Drive north on Route 53 to Butterfield Road (Rt. 56), West (left- about a mile ) to Park Boulevard. Right on Park to Fawell Boulevard. West to college Arts Center.  |
