Children's Opera - Current Productions

Monkey See Monkey Do

Thomas Jefferson Middle School Theater
125 S. Old Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22204
Tuesday, April 23; Wednesday, April 24; & Friday, April 26, 2013
10:00 AM -- School Performances
Tickets are $4 for students

Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 3:00 PM —- Public Performance
Tickets are $4 under 18 yrs; $6 over 18 yrs

We have some additional changes that need to be made to the Monkey performances.

The Monday, May 20, 2013 performances will be at 10:00 AM and 3:45 PM.
No performance on Tuesday, May 21.
On Wednesday May 22, the last performance in Alexandria will take place at 10:00 AM.

The George Washington National Masonic Memorial Theater
101 Callahan Drive
Alexandria, VA 22301
Monday, May 20 at 10:00 AM and 3:45 PM and Wednesday May 22 10:00 AM
These are School Performances and Tickets are $4 for students

Tickets are $4 under 18 years; $6 over 18 years

Monkey See Monkey Do

Roberto X. Rodriguez

April / May 2013

Monkey See Monkey Do is a one-act opera by award winning Texas born composer Roberto X. Rodriguez. It is based on the classic folk tale of the Hat Seller and the Monkeys. The opera is derived from the Mexican version of the old folktale and the libretto, written in English, incorporates sections of the Spanish language. This is the 4th most frequently performed modern-day opera for students in America.

This children’s opera was created for family audiences and is a stirring musical and visual treat. The score blends elements of Mexican traditional folk melodies with the contemporary style of the composer. The musical score encourages audience participation, the combination of English and Spanish is ideal for the introduction of language study, and the exposure to the Mexican culture fits perfectly into any humanities curriculum.

There will be a brief pre-performance orchestra introductory skit & talk and a special welcome from Alturas Duo (a well-known duo featuring Andean and Chilean tunes.) There will also be a Q &A session after the opera. The show will run for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Surtitles will be used.

Information: mcdm1@verizon.net 703-536-7557

We invite you to download our Study Guide for Monkey See Monkey Do:
Study Guide Part 1(PDF)
Study Guide Part 2(PDF)


Children's Opera - Past Productions

Monkey See Monkey Do

Kenmore Middle School
200 S. Carlin Springs Rd
Arlington, VA 22207
October 23 at 3:00 pm
October 24 – 26 at 10:15 am
Tickets will be $4 for students

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

Thomas Jefferson Community Theater
125 S. Old Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22204

By Carlo Collodi
Opera by Carl Zytowski
Music Adapted from Rossini

October / November 2009

This fall, the Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia will once again put on its production of Pinocchio.

Pinocchio starts out as a purely free, independent, impersonal spirit, but he has a lot of learning to do before he can become a real boy. Most of us know the story of Pinocchio from the Disney movie. While this is a classic, it fails to capture some of the charm of the original story. The story is not merely about a magical, naughty puppet, but it is also an allegory about families. Pinocchio runs away, falls in with thieves, fights with his friends, meets a monster and so much more, all the while, he doesn’t know or care how much his father, Geppetto, loves him. In the end, Pinocchio realizes this, returns his father's love and he finally becomes a real boy. Collodi, a 19th century, Italian journalist, wanted to write a children's story that emphasizes the traditional Italian value of the importantance of family that he grew up with. "Who understands the beauty of Pinocchio understands Italy."

See the Events page for more information about the upcoming performances of Pinocchio.

We invite you to download our Study Guide for Pinocchio:
Study Guide(PDF)


Cinderella

Abridged version, based on Rossini's La Cenerentola
Thomas Jefferson Community Theater
125 S. Old Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22204

October 26, 2008 at 3:00pm
November 1, 2008 at 4:00pm

School Group Performances:
Tuesday, October 28 at 10:00am
Wednesday, October 29 at 10:00am
Thursday, October 30 at 10:00am

We invite you to download our Study Guide for Cinderella:
Study Guide(PDF)

In 2008, the Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia produced Cinderella, an abridged English version of Rossini’s La Cenerentola adapted by the Chicago Lyric Opera for students. The 60-minute production was accompanied by orchestra. An opening narration by one of the characters will help students follow the story, and overheads will enable students to follow the words being sung. A pre-show presentation will help students learn about set construction, opera audience demeanor, operatic voices, and the many skills and crafts that are needed to produce an opera.

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel
A Children's Opera by Arthur Rackel
Thomas Jefferson Community Theater
125 S. Old Glebe Road Arlington, VA

TUESDAY, October 16 at 10 am
WEDNESDAY, October 17 at 10 am
THURSDAY, October 18 at 10 am
SUNDAY, October 14 at 2 pm
SATURDAY, October 20 at 4 and 7 pm

We invite you to download our extensive Teacher's Guide for Hansel and Gretel:
(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3)

Humperdinck's Opera Hansel & Gretel is known throughout the world as the number one children's opera. It will be performed not only in Arlington, VA in 2007, but at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City as well. Kelly Ferjutz writes that "It is wonderfully simplistic and awesomely complex, all at the same time. Based on a fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers, to music that could have been written by the great Richard Wagner, it easily transports the listener to 'once-upon-a-time-land' where magic is the order of the day." Although the original fairy tale is rather dark, the operatic version lightens the story, turning it into an adventure.

The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
English Version by Donald Pippin
First Produced by Pocket Opera, San Francisco

The Cast
Keith Hudspeth Tamino
Kelly Smith Pamina
Kelly Smith First Lady
Katherine Osborne Second Lady
Bailey Whiteman Third Lady
David E. Prager Sarastro
Catherine Carlin Queen of the Night
Robert W. Tudor Papageno
Katherine Osborne Papagena

The Magic Flute is a real adventure story. It tells the tale of a kidnapped daughter and a young prince who goes to the rescue equipped with a magic flute. Tamino, the noble prince, must rescue the beautiful Pamina with the help of his friend Papageno. She has been kidnapped by her evil mother, the Queen of the Night. And then there is Sarastro, an elderly wizzard. Is he really evil, or is he trying to help Tamino? Will Tamino rescue Pamina? Will Papageno get his Papagena? There's magic, there's danger and there's love! Mozart composed The Magic Flute after his friend Emmanuel Schikaneder asked him to compose a German opera for the common people to put on in Schikaneder's theater. Mozart was thrilled at the idea of writing in his native language. The Magic Flute was performed on September 30, 1791 at Schikaneder's theater. Schikaneder even played the part of Papageno.

Orchestra
G. Cookson Piano
J. Hughes Violin I
S. Kelly Cello
D. Lonkevich Flute
L. Smith Violin II
S. Wetherbee Viola
Production Staff
J. Niles Conducter
D. Toulson Stage Dir.
R. Newman Stage Man.
A. Fedorcha Lighting
J. Davis Set Design
D. Christie Set Const.
P. MacFarland Costumes
T. Madison Tech. Chief
J. Hughes Light Board
Supernumeraries
Pandora Affemann
Caroline Benitah
Taylor Barber
Lauren Bomgardner
Shalonda Hardy
Addie Murphy
Anne Murphy
Anne Norland
Abigail Summerville

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

By Carlo Collodi
Opera by Carl Zytowski
Music Adapted from Rossini

The Cast
Lewis Freeman Gepetto
Katherine Osborne Pinnochio
Marlissa Eaton Cricket
Keith Hudspeth Cat
Don Phillip Bicoy Fox
Cynthia Ballentine Hostess
Amanda Gosier Blue-Haired Fairy
Colin Eaton Owl
Michael Nansel Crow
Eugene Galvin Whale

Pinocchio starts out as a purely free, independent, impersonal spirit, but he has a lot of learning to do before he can become a real boy. Most of us know the story of Pinocchio from the Disney movie. While this is a classic, it fails to capture some of the charm of the original story. The story is not merely about a magical, naughty puppet, but it is also an allegory about families. Pinocchio runs away, falls in with thieves, fights with his friends, meets a monster and so much more, all the while, he doesn’t know or care how much his father, Geppetto, loves him. In the end, Pinocchio realizes this, returns his father's love and he finally becomes a real boy. Collodi, a 19th century, Italian journalist, wanted to write a children's story that emphasizes the traditional Italian value of the importantance of family that he grew up with. “Who understands the beauty of Pinocchio understands Italy.”

Orchestra
G. Cookson Piano
D. Lawler Harmonium
G. Peachey Piano
J. Niles Conductor
Production Staff
E. Galvin Stage Director
E. Bell Stage Man.
E. Thomas Set Design
D. Christie Set Const
L. Joslin Light Design
T. Madison Tech. Chief
J. Hughes Light Board
Waiters & Nurses
Kitty Baker Christina Camacho
Maura Cunningham Catherine Devlin
Kathryn Galvin Peter Kentz
Jackie Kleger Gretchen Lonergan
Hannah Lutz Margaret McEnery
Natalie Minehart Adeline Murphy
Annie Norland Leigh Shannon
Robert Skonberg Abigail Summerville
Colleen Walton

The Araboolies of Liberty Street

The Araboolies of Liberty Street

By Sam Swope
Opera by Ronald C. Perera

The Cast
Peter Joshua BurroughsGeneral Pinch
Kathy HankinsMrs. Pinch
Elizabeth SpiesJoy
Katherine C. OsborneBoboolie Araboolie
Cynthia BallentineMomoolie Araboolie
Don Phillip BicoyPopoolie Araboolie

On Liberty Street, where all the houses look alike, General Pinch and his skinny wife are in charge. Whenever it appears that anyone is having fun, the general threatens to call in the army; in this way, he keeps the neighborhood quiet and dull. Enter the Araboolies, undefinable creatures of lively, fun-loving temperament and psychedelic color combinations. The Araboolies are "not the neatest people in the world, truth to tell," for they put furniture in the yard and even watch TV outside. When General Pinch makes good on his threats and calls in the army to vanquish the group, a girl named Joy resists. Her efforts pay off; the Pinches are carted off instead of the Araboolies. The many-sided satire on fascism is wordy and repetitive, and the only focus on a child character--Joy--occurs two-thirds of the way through. But the messages of freedom, individualism and tolerance are strong.

Orchestra
G. CooksonPiano
D. SpinelliPercussion
J. NilesConductor
Production Staff
L. DurhamStage Dir.
E. DeissStage Man.
A. FedorchaLight Des.
G. DaughtreyLighting
J. DavisSet Design
D. ChristieSet Const.
P. McFarlandCostumes
T. MadisonTech. Chief
J. HughesLight Board
A. SpragueWardrobe
Children's Chorus
Kitty BakerErin Gallagher
Carmen IzurietaRafaela Izurieta
Ana-Beth LawlerMuriel MacDonald
Shannon McGovernMariah Murphy
Olivia MurphyColleen Walton
Directed by Judy Richer

The Cricket In Times Square

The Cricket In Times Square

By George Seldon
Book and Lyrics by Timothy Mason
Music by Mel Marvin

The Cast
Ole Hass Tucker Mouse
Kathryn Hankins Mama Bellini
Don Phillip Bicoy Papa Bellini
Muriel MacDonald Mario Bellini
Emily Marsh Chester Cricket
Lewis Freeman Harry Cat
Claire Elizabeth Ross Janie Lebovski
Carmen Mason Mrs. Smedley

After Chester, a cricket, arrives in the Times Square subway station from his native Connecticut via a picnic basket, he takes up residence in the Bellinis' newsstand. There tiny Chester is lucky enough to find three good friends: a little boy named Mario, whose parents run the unsuccessful newsstand; a fast-talking Broadway mouse called Tucker; and Tucker's pal, Harry Cat. Between escapades in New York City, the four somehow manage to bring success to the almost bankrupt newsstand.

Orchestra
G. Cookson Piano
D. Spinelli Percussionist
C. Youstra Synthesizer
J. Niles Conductor
Production Staff
N. Canty Stage Dir.
K. Preissner Stage Man.
A. Fedorcha Light Design
T. Madison Tech. Chief


Adult Chorus
Ingrid Cowan Myrtle Farrington
Ronnie Hardcastle Jonhanna Park
Ben Robles Joshua Saxon
Children's Chorus
Cristina Camacho Grechen Lonergan
Madeline Lonergan Carmen E. Izurieta
Rafaela Izurieta Patrick Low
Vanessa T. Ortega Claire Elizabeth Ross
Tim Russell

Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web

Based on a Children's Classic by E.B. White
Music and Lyrics by Charles Strouse
Book by Joseph Robinett

The Cast
Sarah Blaze Charlotte
Joel Weiss Wilbur
Jennifer Timberlake Fern Arable
Kathy Hankins Edith Zuckerman
Ben Robles Homer Zuckerman
Bon Bicay John Arable
Samantha Meeks Martha Arable
Ronnie Hardcastle Avery Arable

Charlotte's Web opens the door to a magical world, which a young girl named Fern finds herself a part of. Fern spends her free time with Wilbur the pig whom she loves and the other barn animals who play a large part in the life of Wilbur. Charlotte A. Cavatica, the large grey spider, befriends Wilbur and helps him deal with the shocking news that his life will end as bacon on someone’s plate. Charlotte goes as far as coming up with an interesting plan that only this spider could carry out with the help of Templeton the rat (who never does anything unless there is something in it for himself) to help Wilbur escape death.

Orchestra
G. Cookson Piano
J. Connell Percussion
G. Fulginin Syntheszier
Production Staff
J. Christenson Staging
J. Chiang Costumes
M. Haws Stage Man.
D. Coyey Light Design
J. Hughes Light Tech.
R. Johnson Musical Asst
J. Niles Conductor
M. Wujcik Set Design
Ensemble
Don Bicoy Kathy Hankins
Ronnie Hardcastle Meredith Megles
Tamara Reynolds Ron Robles

Nightingale

Nightingale

Opera by Charles Strouse
Based on a tale by Hans Christian Anderson

The Cast
Adalsteinn Einarsson Storyteller
Cathryn Greigg Nightingale
Jeanne Hisle Maid
Jim Li Emperor

Emperor of China, sent his servants to find the most exquisite songbird in the world. The beautiful song from this dull and insignificant looking bird brought a royal tear to the Emperor's eye. The nightingale was the toast of the royal court until the Emperor of Japan sent a gift. It was a colorful, jeweled, mechanical nightingale. Was the magnificent toy bird much better than the real live nightingale and what will be his fate?

Orchestra
G. Cookson Piano
C. Youstra Keyboard
J. Niles Conductor
Production Staff
J. Christenson Stage Director
E. Gomberg Stage Man.
K. Karamadis Set Design
M. Meadows Light Design
A. Sprague Costumes

Les Moose

Les Moose

Composer and Lyrics Alan Chapman

The Cast
Sarah Blaze Bullwinkle
Doug Bowles Rocket
Doug Bowles Boris
Sarah Blaze Natasha
James Jones Male Chorus
Melissa Unkel Female Chorus
Orchestra
G. Cookson Piano
B. Hunter Percussion
Production Staff
J. Niles Artistic Dir.
J. Willen Producer
J. Christenson Stage Dir.
J. Broadbent Stage Mgr.
M. Kachman Set & Costum
J. Hughes Light. Board
J. Niles Conductor
T. Madison Electrician