Amahl and the Night Visitors: A Holiday Favorite

A holiday production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s modern opera Amahl and the Night Visitors will be staged on December 13 at 7 PM and December 14 at 6 PM; this is part of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County’s Performing Arts Series 2014 – 2015.

The story opens with a young child, Amahl, being captivated by an unusually large star hanging over their poor home. Later that evening Amahl and his mother are surprised by three kings who come knocking at their door seeking rest for the night.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation has drawn on a highly talented cast of performers for this production. They include the following:

Tara Lieneck (Saturday Amahl) is a ten-year-old attending Ocean Avenue School in Middletown. When not entertaining her family with pantomime, Tara enjoys reading, board games, arts and crafts, and playing with her Corgi dog “Tigger.” Tara is a member of the UUCMC Chalice Singers and often sings duets with her good friend, Clara, on Sunday mornings.

Clara Randel (Sunday Amahl) was born in 2003 in Berlin, Germany. When she was almost 7 years old, she moved to Aberdeen, NJ. Clara is a dedicated student at Lloyd Road Elementary school. She loves reading and dancing. She plays the piano, the clarinet, and she is a passionate singer. Clara has been participating in the UU RE programs since 2011.

Kirsten Norberg Seitz (Amahl’s Mother) Kirsten sang the role of Amahl’s mother 14 years ago at UUCMC. Now she is in fact a mother of three, with little time to pursue her singing career, although she would love to. She lives in High Bridge, NJ, and works as a statistical analyst. She is also the daughter of the director, Elaine Held.

Thomas Cannizzaro (King Caspar) Thomas lives in Shrewsbury with his wife and three children. He is a baritone and has performed on Broadway in Monty Python’s SPAMALOT and CABARET. His theater career has taken him from the US to Brazil and Japan.

Jan Dash (King Melchior) has been the Chorus Master and Backstage Conductor for the New York Grand Opera, and he performed the solo role Prince Yamadori. Jan studied voice with Leon Lishner, the first King Balthazar in Amahl in 1951. He is a clarinetist and pianist, and is the author of the “VR – Think” music practice method. Jan is the Managing Editor of the UUUNO Climate Portal at climate.uu-uno.org, works in Risk Management, and started life as a physics professor.

Charles Watson (King Balthazar). This will be the ninth time Charley has performed this role. He performed it at UUCMC 14 years ago. Other shows he has been in are Oklahoma, Brigadoon, Street Scene, Three Penny Opera, and The Fantasticks. He lives in Red Bank and is currently writing and directing Christian plays.

The Music Directors are Elaine Held and Louise Chernosky.

Tickets cost $5, $15, and $25 and there is a $5 discount for 7 day advance purchase. You can buy tickets using PayPal online at UUCMC.org or make checks out to UUCMC/PAS and send to the address below:

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County

1475 West Front Street, Lincroft, NJ 07738

For more information: E-MAIL: uucmcpas@verizon.net or PHONE: 732.639.0222.