Operalancaster to Bring AMAHL & THE NIGHT VISITORS to Ware Center

Returning to the Ware Center for the fourth year is OperaLancaster's beautiful, family-friendly holiday tradition, Gian Carlo Menotti's opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, Saturday December 19--one performance at 2 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. A quick burst of humor and irony, and only one act long, the opera follows young, disabled Amahl through a meeting with the Three Kings of legend and his own journey to see the Child, Jesus Christ. The Ware Center is located at 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster.

The first opera written solely for television, Amahl and the Night Visitors is unique in nature and comical in subject. With its release in 1951, composer Gian Carlo Menotti wrote the opera with the stage in mind, knowing that television rarely repeats shows. To his surprise, Amahl and the Night Visitors was a success, with productions spanning through 1978.

The Three Kings, each with their own wicked personality, tell Amahl to give up what little he has and join them on their venture to see the Christ child. Even though Amahl needs a crutch to walk, he still wants to join the kings in their adventure. As thanks, he gives the kings his crutch, at which point his leg is miraculously healed.

Tickets are $21 for adults, $16 for senior citizens, military, and MU/Visiting Students with a valid ID at a ticket office or at the door. For every paid ticket, a child 14 years and under will receive a free ticket. Tickets can be purchased online at ArtsMU.com, in person at the Ticket Office located in the Student Memorial Center on Millersville's campus, or at the Ware Center, located at 42 N. Prince Street, in Lancaster, or by phone by calling 717-871-7600. Doors open one hour before each show for ticket sales, subject to availability.

Audio description is available for the 2 p.m. performance; please communicate your needs with your ticket sales representative or check in at the box office upon arrival for the show.

The Millersville University Visual and Performing Arts Season is made possible by support from Season Platinum Partner Rodgers & Associates and Gold Season Sponsors Aussie and the Fox and Hagelgans & Veronis, and Silver Season Sponsors Clipper Magazine, The Hotel Lancaster, 12:34 MicroTechnologies, and Weber Advertising. First Friday Music Stage is sponsored by Fine Living Lancaster. This season's Luminary Donors include Ann Barshinger, John & Susan Garofola, Mary Burton & Laurent Horne, Linda Holman Marcks, William McIlwaine, Peggy Neff, Mary Kearns & Jon Walker, and Paul & Judy Ware.