Rec Room Arts Presents Its First Opera HANSEL & GRETEL in a 600 Sq. Ft. Wooded Installation

Rec Room Arts' presents its first opera: a holiday presentation of a new English translation of Engelbert Humperdinck's fairy-tale classic, HANSEL AND GRETEL. Artistic Director, Matt Hune, presents an original, bare-bones production, set in a wooded art and light installation by Stefan Azizi and Mina Gaber in Rec Room's intimate 600 sq. ft Back Room.

HANSEL & GRETEL offers audiences a unique and intimate holiday performance experience. Limited to 40 per show and open to both adults and children ages 6+, the audience is invited to get lost in the wintery woods as they follow wayward siblings Hansel & Gretel on their quest to find both home and independence. The piece is immersive and environmental. The set, inspired by the Bower Bird's nest, is made almost exclusively from found objects in nature.

Of the production, Hune says, "In some respects, this is a Rec Room Arts signature: live performance up close and personal. Rarely is this applied to opera; when we think of opera, we think grand sets in a huge concert hall. But opera-and to a large degree, the human voice-can reach us just as effectively, perhaps even more so, close up. This production of Hansel and Gretel removes the distance, placing the audience literally in the woods with the cast of characters. It's going to be very exciting for both the performers and the audience."

Originally conceived in 1893 as a small-scale vocal concert for children, HANSEL AND GRETEL has seen many manifestations from large opera houses to chamber orchestras. Using only a piano and a top-notch cast of singers, Rec Room Arts' version of the classic promises an imaginative and captivating event for both adults and children 8 years of age and older. The production serves the mission of Rec Room Arts by making opera accessible to all. It's the cheapest opera ticket in town!

The cast includes Megan Berti as the Witch, Julia Fox as Gretel, Emily Walton as Hansel,
Nnamdi Nwankwo as Father, and Brian Yeakley as the Fairy.

The HANSEL AND GRETEL creative team includes costume design by Clair Hummel (HGO) and set/lighting installation design by Stefan Azizi (Rec Room Arts) and art installation by Mina Gaber. Mark Buller conducts the enchanting, folk-inspired piano score. The play is stage managed by EliSabeth Bancroft Wessel Meindl (Alley Theatre, Main Street Theatre).

HANSEL AND GRETEL opens December 7 and runs through December 23. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with family-friendly matinee performances on Saturday December 9 and 23 at 2:00 p.m. The Rec Room Bar will be open for matinee performances. We open for happy hour at 5 pm and stays open post-show until 12:00 am. Box office opens at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm. House opens at 1:45 pm and 7:45 pm.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at https://www.recroomarts.org/hanselgretel/. General admission tickets are $25. Discounted tickets are available for students with a valid ID for $15. Opening night tickets are $35 and include champagne and an after party with the cast. As always, Rec Room Arts Members are free of charge

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