UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler to Present Classic Opera ‘Hansel and Gretel’ Nov. 5 – 7

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October 26, 2018

Media Contact: Beverley Golden
Senior Director of Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.566.7303

The University of Texas at Tyler today announced the presentation of the classic children's opera "Hansel and Gretel'' by the School of Performing Arts Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 5 – 7.

Shows will be presented by the music department at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 5, 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6, and 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7 in Braithwaite Recital Hall under the direction of Dr. Soo-ah Park, opera and music theater director.

"This lively 50-minute production is geared towards children with imaginative sets and costumes; however, it is a classic story that adults of all ages can enjoy," said Maria Ogburn, UT Tyler opera assistant.

General admission tickets are $2 each. "Tickets are available at the door for the Tuesday evening, Nov. 6, performance, but tickets are going fast,'' Ogburn said. "The 9:30 a.m. shows will be full of elementary students from neighboring schools, but there are a few seats left.''

For tickets or reservations, send an email to mogburn@uttyler.edu or call 903.566.7490.

Story Synopsis:

Once upon a time, a poor broom-maker and his wife lived in a little cottage with their son, Hansel, and daughter, Gretel. When the story opens, the father and mother have gone away to sell brooms in the neighboring villages, leaving the children at work in the house.

When their mother returns home, she is tired from her long trip and unhappy because she has been unable to sell her wares. She scolds the children for their nonsense, and accidentally knocks over the jug of precious milk. In her frustration, she sends the children out into the forest to pick wild strawberries for supper.

Later, the father returns, happy because he has made a good sale. He brings home food and goodies for the family, but realizes the children are gone. The mother tells him she has sent the children into the woods, and the father
becomes worried about them being in the forest alone at nightfall. They leave in search of their children.

Meanwhile, as darkness falls, the children are lost and begin to hear unfamiliar sounds in the forest. They spot a cottage made of gingerbread and candy. It is the house of the Rosina Daintymouth, a witch who traps small boys and girls with her spells and pops them in the oven to become gingerbread children. The children are clever and figure out how to use the witch's wand to break her spell.

For more information about the production, contact Ogburn, mogburn@uttyler.edu or 903.566.7490.

A member of the prestigious UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler focuses on student success and innovative research in the more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered. With more than 10,000 students, UT Tyler has facilities in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.