MBU Faculty and Staff Showcase Talent in “Amahl and the Night Visitors”

The MBU faculty and staff train students to become leaders in the industry — now is their chance to stand in the spotlight.

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When Christmas trees are dismantled and holiday lights no longer shine, Missouri Baptist University will still be in the Christmas spirit with a performance of the famous opera, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, on the Chapel stage. Admission is free.

The fictional supplemental epiphany story will be performed by MBU staff and faculty members and directed by Pat Lacey, assistant professor of music in the Fine Arts Division.

“The story is that of the three Wise Men traveling to Bethlehem and the events of an overnight stay with a poor woman and her handicapped son, Amahl, who can only walk with a crutch,” Lacey said in an email. “It is a story meant for children and adults as well, the story of giving.”

The opera is written by Gian-Carlo Menotti, arguably one of the best American opera composers.

Performed throughout the year, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” originally aired on NBC on Dec. 24, 1951.

The opera was the first to be commissioned and debut on television. This one-act libretto is only 45 minutes long and performed in English.

Cast members include MBU faculty and staff members who have been rehearsing even through the Christmas holidays.

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Mother: MBU music faculty member Mezzo-Soprano Cecelia Stearman

King Kaspar: MBU music faculty member Eric Dalby

King Melchior: MBU music faculty member Michael Sust

King Balthazar: guest artist bass Dan Mayo

Page: MBU music faculty member Jonathan Blackmon

Amahl: student of Cecelia Stearman, Sarah Righi

Piano: MBU piano faculty Cathy Benton

Musical/Orchestral Director: Michael Dunsmoor

Assistant Director: MBU music faculty Sarah Lancaster

Producer: MBU music faculty Pat Lacey

Members of the Shepherds Chorus:

Chuck Ackerson, Beth Bagley, Greg Comfort, Karen Faszold, Ladd Faszold, Ray Killebrew, Rebecca Klussman, Alton Lacey, Brenna Lacey, Virginia Settle, Scott Stearman, Ken Revenaugh, and Kathleen Wendt.

Production Assistant:  Fine Arts Executive Assistant Sarah Dickey

Sound: Ian Harrier

Lighting design: Corey Fraine

Set provided by: The Messiah Project.

Costume Mistress: Katherine Cuba, with costumes courtesy of Ellisville Baptist Church and Union Avenue Opera.

Performance by arrangement with G. Schirmer, INC., publisher and copyright owner.

The production will also include a piano and select orchestration.

For more information, contact Pat Lacey at laceypat@mobap.edu