This incredible cast will raise your holiday spirit
Continuing its Phoenix Season, Petite Opera Productions proudly announces its amazing cast of Amahl and the Night Visitors. This one-act opera in English beautifully captures the theme of transformation through the act of giving. At its heart, the opera tells the story of a young boy, Amahl, who encounters the Three Wise Men on their journey to see the newborn King.
Six performances–five in Park Ridge and one in Oak Park–will help lighten your spirit for this holiday season.
Petite Opera’s double-cast production brings high calibre talent to its two intimate venues with a mix of returning Petite Opera family performers and some fantastic debuting artists.
The lead role of Amahl, the crippled boy with a warm spirit and incredible imagination, will be shared by Niles resident, Graham Macfarlane* (Nov 16, 22, 23), and Park Ridge resident, Ben Govertsen (Nov 17, 24; Dec 8). Ben debuted as a baby in Petite Opera’s original translation of Magic Flute: 2.0–A Space Opera.
Amahl’s poor, widowed Mother, exasperated at Amahl’s stretching of the truth, will be played by the incredible Christina Adams* of Chicago (Nov 16, 22, 23), and Mary Govertsen of Park Ridge (Nov 17, 24; Dec 8). A member of the Petite Opera family, Mary recently portraying Soldier in The Falling and the Rising.
Kaspar (tenor), the eccentric king, will be played by the dynamic Keven Washburn of Chicago for all performances. A recent addition to the Petite Opera family, Keven recently appeared in All In.
Melchior (baritone), the empathic, compassionate king, will be shared by two Petite Opera family artists, the engaging and facile Doug Balkin of Evanston (Nov 16, 22, 24) and Austin Illenberg of Hawthorn Woods (Nov 17, 23; Dec 8). Previously, Doug portrayed John Wilkes Booth in Assassins, and Papageno in Magic Flute 2.0. Austin portrayed John Hinckley, Jr. in Assassins, and Charlie Brown in Snoopy!!! The Musical.
Balthazar (bass-baritone), the statuesque, commanding king, will be shared by the incomparable Petite Opera family artist David Govertsen of Park Ridge, and up-and-coming artist Sam Curry* of Chicago. David previously appeared in All In, Magic Flute 2.0 and Cosi fan tutte.
The Page will be portrayed by the talented Edward Kuffert of Lake Forest. Ed previously created and embodied the role of Rossini in The Barber of Seville.
The cast of Shepherd Villagers and Dancers include: Ada Balkin* (Evanston); Katherine Dalin (Niles); Ian Diez* (Park Ridge); Phyllis Dunn (River Forest); Charlotte Haworth*, Hilary Haworth*, and Magnolia Haworth* (Park Ridge); Elijah Jenks* (Chicago); Vivian Macfarlane* (Niles); Amelia Poole*, Basil Poole*, and MaryBeth Poole* (all Park Ridge); and Yiannis Tripodis* (River Forest).
To highlight the power of giving and family, Petite Opera is delighted to feature six Chicago and northwest suburban multi-generational families in this production: the Dunns (Phyllis and , and Stage Director daughter Cathy) of River Forest; the Govertsens (Ben, David, Mary) of Park Ridge; the Haworths (sisters Charlotte, Hilary, Magnolia) of Park Ridge; the Jenks (Elijah and Musical Director, mother, Sarah) of Chicago; the Macfarlanes (siblings Graham and Vivian) of Niles; and the Pooles (Amelia, Basil, and mother MaryBeth) of Park Ridge.
Artistic and Production Team:
Sarah Jenks, Music Director (Chicago)
Cathy Dunn, Resident Stage Director (River Forest)
Miguel Lopez Lemus, Set Designer (Oaxaca, Mexico)
Sienna Kuzek, Resident Costume Designer (Lombard)
Nathan Oakes, Sound Designer (Chicago)
Betsy Sklena, Lighting Designer (Park Ridge)
Eris Stanczak, Sound and Lighting Manager (Bensenville)
Susan Baushke, Producing Executive Director, Flutist (Des Plaines)
Franki Levenson-Campanale, Production Manager (Chicago)
Jack Cohen, House Manager (Pingree Grove)
Dana Cohen, Box Office Manager (Pingree Grove)
Sylvia Metropoulos, Production Assistant, Usher (Prospect Heights)
* indicates Petite Opera Productions Debut
“Amahl and the Night Visitors”. Composed by Gian Carlo Menotti. Libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti. Presented under license by G. Schirmer, Inc. and Associated Music Publishers, copyright owners.
© 2024 Petite Opera Productions NFP