Old Lyme Residents Take Lead Roles in Seasonal Show Today on LymeLine.com

Three Old Lyme residents hold leading roles in the Dec. 12 and 13 production of "Amahl and The Night Visitors" at The First Congregational Church in Essex. Ron Paine of Old Lyme (back row, right) plays King Kaspar; and also from Old Lyme are Jeff Paine (front row, left) as Amahl and Veronica Lee (front row, right) as The Mother. Also pictured are (back row, left to right) Bill Nelson of Ivoryton as The Page and Henry Clapp of Stonington as King Melchior;
"Amahl and the Night Visitors" to be performed at First Congregational Church in Essex

A holiday favorite, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian-Carlo Menotti will be performed at The First Congregational Church in Essex, UCC, 6 Methodist Hill, on Saturday, Dec.12, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. with three Old Lyme residents in principal roles.

The first opera commissioned especially for television, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was given its premiere by the NBC Television Opera Theatre in New York City on Dec. 24, 1951. The first professional production was given on April 9, 1952, by the New York City Opera. In 1997, a film version was made in Spoleto, Italy, under the composer's supervision.

The Church's fully-staged production features Old Lyme residents in leading roles, including Jeff Paine as Amahl; Veronica Lee as his mother; and Ron Paine as King Kaspar. Other members of the cast are Henry Clapp of Stonington as King Melchior; Ralph Ficker of Bethel as King Balthazarand Bill Nelson of Ivoryton as The Page. The Chorus is made up of many members of the Church's congregation and choir and includes three more Old Lyme residents, Chelsea Evankow, Amy Lee and Emily Paine.

The Church's Youth Choir Director, Shari Wilcox of Centerbrook is the Director/Musical Director/Producer. Currently a teacher of voice and piano at the Community Music School and at her private studio, Wilcox, a mezzo-soprano, has appeared in opera, musical theater and as a guest soloist with regional orchestras.

Some of her roles include The Mother in "Amahl and The Night Visitors," Sharon McLonergan in "Finian's Rainbow," Ensign Nellie Forbush in "South Pacific," Pitty-Sing in "The Mikado," and Queen of the Fairies in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Iolanthe," for which she received a Eugene O'Neill Award. In addition, she has served as mezzo-soprano soloist with several symphony orchestras and performance ensembles.

A graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree, Wilcox studied voice with the late Mary Langdon of Mystic and Connie Bloomer, former Choral Director at Ledyard High School. Wilcox notes that she has a long-standing connection to the opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors." She comments, " In the 1970s, the Eugene O'Neill Theater produced a beautiful rendition of the opera, in which my father played King Balthazar and my voice instructor, Mary Langdon, played the Mother. As a child, I was mesmerized by this profoundly touching piece. We hope to recreate that emotion in this production in Essex."

Other area residents involved in the performance are Assistant Director, Scott Weaver of Centerbrook and Choreographer Nicole Phaneuf of Moodus. Sue Sweeney of Deep River is the accompanist.

General admission tickets for the Dec. 12 production of "Amahl and The Night Visitors" at 7 p.m. are $5. They may be reserved by calling the Church office at 860-767-8097. On Sunday, Dec.13 at 10 a.m., the opera is preceded by a children's Christmas Pageant.

While there is no admission, a free-will offering is suggested.

For more information, call the Church office at 860-767-8097.

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Member Opinions:

By: Dot on 12/10/09
Don't miss your chance to see this beautiful performance. There are only approximately one dozen tickets left to be sold for the Saturday evening show. I just saw a dress rehearsal and it was very moving!

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