Poster Art

The original artwork for our Amahl poster was created by Glenn Waggner, an architect and artist from Tarzana CA, aka Lisa's Dad. For more of Glenn's artwork, visit www.waggnerstudio.com. Glenn will be in the ART TREASURES show at Orlando Gallery 18376 Ventura Blvd. through December.

Ahmahl's Crutch

Thanks to Tricia Coughlin (and the branches in her yard), we have Amahl's crutch! Crude but sturdy, it does the job quite nicely. Notice the imperfect structure and scars that only nature can provide. Menotti has said that part of the inspiration for Amahl is his own temporary lameness as a child.

They Also Serve Who Plan and Sew

Behind the scenes....Monica drives the PR and Marketing strategy and Vida is the designated Production Coordinator and Costume Designer. Press releases have been written and dispatched "far and wide". Post a comment on this blog for suggestions on other local pubs or networks that we can tap. The sewing circle will meet this Saturday Nov. 29 to stitch up the costumes for the Dec. 1st filming of the promo video. Contact Vida if you can cut, sew or hem.

Nothing But the Best Ingredients

When Chef Joseph Schmidt takes command of the kitchen, nothing but the best is acceptable: the best ingredients, the best equipment and just the right amount of sugar in his cookies. And he won't scrimp on chocolate chips when he preps for the "cookies and coffee" reception after each performance of Amahl. Who can ask for anything more!

Happy Thanksgiving

"Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing. Thanks for all the joy they're bringing. Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty. What would life be? Without a song or a dance what are we? So I say thank you for the music...for giving it to me." - ABBA

Promo Video

FILM PROMO VIDEO IN FULL DRESS AND MAKE-UP
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1ST, 7:30PM

Ye Olde Score

The next time you see Chris Venuti, ask him to show you the book that he used as Amahl, way back when.

From Amahl to King Caspar

Who'd have thought!
Chris Venuti played the role of Amahl in the 1975 Long Island Opera Co. production of Amahl and the Night Visitors. This was his first professional performance, thanks to the gentle prodding of the librarian at his elementary school. He was quite the ham, even then. And he still carries the score that he used when he was in 6th grade, rehearsing for this inspiring opera.

Amahl

Amahl is a disabled shepherd boy who, although he has a kind and pleasant heart, has a problem with telling tall tales and, occasionally, lies. Lisa and Cayman play Amahl in a double cast production Dec. 20th and 21st at St. Mel's.

Rehearsals

THE FOLLOWING ARE MANDATORY:
Performances:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, 7:30PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, 7:30PM

Dress Rehearsals with Orchestra
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH, 7:30PM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18TH, 7:30PM

Run-Through Rehearsals with Piano
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH, 7:30PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, 7:30PM

Staging Rehearsals
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 7:30PM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 7:30PM

Sing-Through Rehearsals
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2ND, 7:30PM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 7:30PM

FILM PROMO VIDEO IN FULL DRESS AND MAKE-UP
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1ST, 7:30PM

Please try to make as many of these as you can:

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH, 2:00PM, PARISH CENTER
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 2:00PM, PARISH CENTER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER, 17TH, 7:30PM, CHURCH
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, CHURCH, 7:30PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND, 2:00PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD. 2:00PM
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH, 7:30PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH, 2:00PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, 2:00PM

Costumes

Suggested costume: tunics for whoever wants one, basically a long dress with a sash. We will be purchasing the material in beige, brown and black. Look for a sign up sheet for color preferences, sizes and length. If time allows, we'll do the head covering for the women and an overcoat for the men in a striped pattern.

For the women we suggest they add a head scarf and/or a shawl. Material cost should run around $20. If anyone is interested in helping us sew, maybe we can arrange to have a sewing day and tea party around Saturday after Thanksgiving.

About the Opera

Got this from Wikipedia:
"Amahl and the Night Visitors is an opera in one act by Gian Carlo Menotti with an original English libretto by the composer. It was first performed on 24 December 1951 in New York City, at the NBC studios, where it was broadcast on television as the debut production of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. It was the first opera specifically composed for television in America[1]. The opera is now a popular Christmas classic."

As the holiday season draws near amid grim economic conditions, this gentle little opera about a lame boy who meets up with the Three Kings will warm the heart and inspire even the most cynical among us.