Are you ready to experience the timeless story of Tulsa Youth Opera’s Amahl and the Night Visitors? We have all the important details for you right here!
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THE BASICS
- Amahl and the Night Visitors is a one act opera by Gian Carlo Menotti presented by the Tulsa Youth Opera, sung in English.
- The story tells of the night the Three Kings, following the star to Bethlehem, stop for shelter at the home of Amahl, a poor, crippled shepherd boy, who lives with his widowed mother. Inspired by the Wise Men’s tale of a kingdom “built on love alone,” Amahl offers his own simple gift to the Holy Child.
- The show lasts 50 minutes with no intermission.
- “Downbeat” or the start of the performance is 2:30 pm for matinee performances and 7:30 pm for the evening performance.
- Please note – This performance runs at the same time as Celebrity Attraction’s Hairspray at the Chapman Theatre in the PAC. Parking may be competitive, so allow yourself extra time to find a spot.
ASSIGNED SEATING / DATE OF PERFORMANCE
- This production does have assigned seating. Seating assignments are located on the bottom left corner of your ticket. If you have questions, ushers will be available to assist you.
- As there are two matinees and one evening performance, please double check your ticket to ensure you are coming to the correct performance.
FULL SYNOPSIS
Amahl, a young boy who walks with the assistance of a crutch, has a problem with telling tall tales. He sits outside playing his shepherd’s pipe when his mother calls for him. After much coaxing and coercion, Amahl comes inside telling his mother of the amazing star “as big as a window” in the sky over their roof. Amahl’s mother does not believe his story. She is more concerned about their dire poverty and cries that her son may have to become a beggar.
After bedtime, there is a knock at the door, and Mother tells Amahl to go see who it is. He is amazed when he sees three splendidly dressed kings. At first Mother does not believe Amahl, but when she goes to the door to see for herself, she is stunned. The Three Kings tell Mother and Amahl they are journeying to bring gifts to a wondrous Child and that they would like to rest at their house. Mother obliges, despite their humble dwelling space. Mother goes to fetch firewood, and Amahl seizes the opportunity to speak with the kings. King Balthazar answers Amahl’s questions about his life as a king and asks what Amahl does. Amahl responds that he was once a shepherd, but his mother had to sell his sheep. Now, he and his mother will have to go begging, which he thinks sounds fun. Amahl then talks with King Kaspar, who is childlike, eccentric, and a bit deaf. King Kaspar shows Amahl his box of magic stones, beads, and licorice, offering Amahl some of his candy. Mother returns, telling Amahl not to be a nuisance. She tells Amahl to fetch the neighbors so the kings may be fed and entertained. A chorus of villagers arrives. They dance and sing for the Three Kings in celebration.
After the neighbors depart and the kings are resting, Amahl’s mother attempts to steal some of the kings’ gold meant for the Holy Child. She is thwarted by the kings’ Page. When Amahl wakes to find the Page grabbing his mother, he attacks the Kings’ servant. Seeing Amahl’s defense of his mother and understanding the motives for the attempted theft, King Melchior says she may keep the gold as the Holy Child will not need wealth but rather love to build his kingdom. Amahl’s mother, having waited all her life for such a King, asks them to take the gold back. She wishes to send a gift to the Child but has nothing. Amahl, too, has nothing to give except his crutch. When he offers it to the kings, his leg is miraculously healed. With permission from his mother, Amahl leaves with the kings to give his crutch to the Child in thanks for being healed.
DIRECTIONS & PARKING
This performance is taking place at the Liddy Doenges Theater at The Tulsa Performing Arts Center. The theater is accessed by the 2nd street entrance of the TPAC.
ADDRESS:
110 E 2nd St
Tulsa, OK 74103
PARKING
One square block of parking to the east of the PAC is available for PAC patrons. This paid parking lot is bordered by Detroit and Cincinnati Avenues and Second and Third Streets. There are also paid parking lots directly south of the PAC and on the southeast corner of Third and Cincinnati.
Parking runs $6 to $20 per car and costs the same for underground parking. Underground parking, accessed from Second Street, connects directly to PAC entrances and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
WHAT IS TULSA YOUTH OPERA?
Tulsa Youth Opera is a tuition-free training program for singers in grades 3-12. this music education program provides weekly training from professionals, including vocal technique, foreign language, acting, movement, and performance skills. The program is headed by Aaron Beck, Artistic Director of Tulsa Opera.
This year’s cast of Amahl consists of more than thirty students from multiple Tulsa-area schools and also features Tulsa Opera Filstrup Resident Artist Paige Dickey as Mother and alumnus Steven Osborn as King Balthazar.
WHAT DO I WEAR TO THE OPERA?
Many opera-goers wear comfortable, business-appropriate clothing, and many dress casually. In Tulsa, you’ll see patrons wearing everything from ball gowns to cowboy boots!
HOW DO I SHOW MY APPRECIATION FOR THE PRODUCTION?
Enthusiastic displays of appreciation are always welcome after a well-executed aria! It is customary to shout “Bravo!” (for a male singer), “Brava!” (for a female singer), or “Bravi” (for the whole cast). All three expressions mean “terrific.”
LATE SEATING
Out of consideration for the performers and other members of the audience, we observe a “no late seating” policy. Those arriving after the performance has begun will be seated at the back of the hall at an appropriate pause.
TICKET QUESTIONS
Starting an hour before the performance, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center box office will be open to purchase tickets or answer any questions you may have. Otherwise, please call our box office at (918) 582-3133.
If this is your first time joining us, click here for more helpful information.