[Thespiritexpress] Amahl and the Night Visitors - on KZYX today

[Bill Mulvihill]

Hi Ron,

Just wanted to make sure you knew about this… —Bill

"Amahl & the Night Visitors" on "The Wondrous World of Music" Fri, Dec 23  <https://www.artsmendocino.org/event/amahl-the-night-visitors-on-the-wondrous-world-of-music-december-31/> <https://www.artsmendocino.org/event/amahl-the-night-visitors-on-the-wondrous-world-of-music-december-31/>
Presented by KZYX

Today, Gordon Black will be playing Judy Mayhan’s 1975 production of “Amahl & the Night Visitors” December 23, (10 am – Noon) probably in the second hour on KZYX…

Below is cast & musician info:

Amahl and the Night Visitors – performed at the Helen Schoeni Theatre, Dec 12 – 21, 1975

Joel Ginsberg – Amahl

Judy Mayhan – Mother

Three Kings: Harold Robinson, Otak, AKA Steven Jump, Robert Greenway (Casper)

Page to the Kings: Clifford Sanders

Musical Director: Roberta Paskos

Director: Robert Boler

Set Design & poster: Charles Stevenson

Chorus: Yo-Te-He (aka Helene Eve), Arlene Ortner, K Rudin (& others)

Orchestra: Virginia Cross – Flute; Jane Gardner – Violin; Tony Miksak – Cello; Steve Gray – piano.

Tune in & listen to a magical piece of local history & spread the word about Gordon’s Friday before Christmas Eve radio show Friday, December 23 on KZYX <https://www.kzyx.org/>.

Originally, written by Gian-Carlo Menotti for NBC television & aired first Dec 24, 1951.

In Menotti’s own words:
“This is an opera for children because it tries to capture my own childhood… When I was a child I lived in Italy, there was no Santa Claus…Our gifts were brought by the three Kings— It didn’t matter how hard my brother & I tried to keep awake, we would always fall asleep before they arrived. But I do remember them. I remember the wierd cadence of their song in the dark distance. I remember the brittle sound of their camel’s hooves crushing the frozen snow; and I remember the mysterious tinkling of their silver bridals…”



Thank you,
Bill

Bill Mulvihill, Publicity & Membership Manager
Arts Council of Mendocino County
http://artsmendocino.org <http://artsmendocino.org/>








Below is a review from the Mendocino Grapevine, in 1975:

Amahl Wows 'Em In Mendocino 
By Antonia Lamb

I should have brought a box of Kleenex and a bouquet of roses to the dress rehearsal of "Amahl and the Night Visitors". It was that good. Oh there were the usual pre-opening hassles: the curtain wouldn't close quite all the way: some kid had brought a flashlight which had to be discouraged several times: a crying baby held by an insensitive or stubborn parent disturbed one of the most beautiful moments: there were some hysterical misprints in the program -- but the performance itself transcended any minor hangups.

Menotti's opera of a Christmas eve miracle is so expertly written, so well put together, so charming that it would be worth seeing with almost any cast. Luckily the performers in Judy Mayhan's production of "Amahl" range from Top-flight to merely good. The sensitive direction of Robert Boler(stage) and Roberta Paskos (music) bring out the best in the cast. The evocative set design of Charles Stevenson fit the mood of the story perfectly.

And the lead charactors, Amahl and his mother, are sung and acted with sensitivity and brilliance by Joel Ginsberg and Judy Mayhan. Young Ginsberg (hear him now--his voice may change next month is Amahl -- a dreamy, loving, somewhat mischievious crippled shepherd boy. Judy Mayhan's performance as Amahl's mother is phenomenal, tender, full of dignity and depth. Her voice has to be heard rather than described. Those familiar with her singing as a popular artist may be amazed to discover a full-blown operatic sound combined with a vivid dramatic talent -- Ms. Mayhan is clearly a talent Mendocino is lucky to possess. Her voice sent chills down my spine and tears to my eyes -- and I'm a cynic. The Three Kings are acted and sung charmingly, especially the two 'character' kings, Caspar and Balthazar, played by Robert Greenway and Harold Robinson, Special mention must be made of the charming shepherdesses' dance done by Arlene Ortner and Yo Te He. The orchestra is excellent (read their names in the program).

The opera will run at the Mendocino Art Center for four more nights, from the 18th thru the 21st. Reserve your seats now. They'll be scarce as hens' teeth if the comments of the pre-opening audience are any indication. I think I'll go and see it again myself.
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