Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Opera in Lansing?  To some that might be as miraculous as the marvelous events in the play.  But Musical Director Doreen Alsen says it was simply a matter of finding the right child to play Amahl, the crippled boy whose story 'Amahl and the Night Visitor' tells. 

"It's always been in the back of my mind that we have the talent here in Lansing to do opera," she says.  "We've been held back by the fact that we couldn't find a young person musical and mature enough to play the part of Amahl, the crippled boy.  Mr. Menotti's will is quite explicit that he does not want a small grownup to play Amahl.  We have a young girl, Catherine Miller, who is doing a fabulous job with it.  It's because we found Catherine that we were finally able to say this is the year."


Along with Alsen, Judy Hinderliter is blocking the opera, and Diane Withiam is working with some of the younger cast members as well as playing the key role of Amahl's mother.  The production is a joint effort of All Saint's Catholic Church and Lansing United Methodist Church, the latest of many collaborations between the two congregations.  The cast, including six principals and ten to fifteen supporting 'shepherds,' ranges in age from eight years old to over 70.  They have been rehearsing the opera for a month.

Gian Carlo Menotti wrote Amahl and the Night Visitors in 1951 for a broadcast of Hallmark Hall of Fame on NBC.  Menotti appeared before the performance to talk about the opera.  Since then it has seen many broadcasts and live performances around the world.

The play takes place just after the birth of Jesus.  Amahl is a crippled boy who is kind hearted, but prone to lying.  He and his mother meet the famous three kings on their way to bring their gifts to the newborn child.  Amahl's mother attempts to steal some of the gold the kings carry, but is caught in the act.  The boy tries to defend his mother, and when King Melchior sees how week his defence is he allows them to keep the gold.  Now Amahl and his mother want to send a gift to the Christ Child, but have nothing to give.  Amahl offers his crutch, and is miraculously healed.  He accompanies the Magi to thank Jesus for healing his leg.

Alsen says the new church offers many advantages to the production.  " It is a fun space for drama," she says.  "We have all sorts of fun places for people to hide and come in and a pretty nice sound system.  The space is pretty versatile and the acoustics aren't bad.  And the All Saints staff, Father Scott, Andra Benson, and AnnMarie Hautaniemi have been extremely supportive."

The space also offers challenges to the cast and crew.  "It's been challenging because we don't have sets," Hinderliter says.  "Everything that we're doing has to be mimed."


The three women are deriving obvious pleasure from the process of developing the production.  " I love watching the interaction between the actors," Hinderliter says.  "Particularly to watch Diane and Catherine grow into their roles has been amazing.  It's been a journey for them, and to watch them get better and better.  Their relationship is very moving.  They're poor, they're struggling.  Then Amahl leaves with the kings and there is this parting scene that is incredibly powerful.  It's been a joy to watch."

Withiam is reunited on the stage with her husband Glenn.  The first appeared together as Baby Bear and Goldilocks in a fourth grade production, and later in a school production of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

Alsen says that the joint effort is what makes the production work.  "Obviously I would not have tried to do it with just All Saints," she says.  "The ties and collaborations that we do with Lansing United Methodist throughout the year really laid the groundwork for this being feasible."

Amahl and the Night Visitors will be performed at All Saint's Catholic Church at 4pm on Sunday, January 4th.  There is no admission charge.

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