The Western Nebraska Community College Vocal Music Program presents the classic Gian
Carlo Menotti Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors at the historic Midwest
Theater in Scottsbluff on December 6 and 7.
Amahl and the Night Visitors is an emotional, and at times humorous, one-act opera,
sung in English. It is a tale of the Three Kings visiting a poor, young, crippled
boy and his mother during their journey to see the Christ Child, and the Christmas
miracle that follows.
Director Rita Stinner notes, "Amahl and the Night Visitors was the first Hallmark
Hall of Fame Special in 1951, and the first opera created for television. It is a
seasonal favorite that lingers as one of the most charming and appealing Christmas
traditions ever, perfect for all ages."
The cast, featuring Javier Jimenez of Scottsbluff as Amahl, includes WNCC vocal students
representing the home communities of Ainsworth; Alliance; Asheville, N.C.; Bayard;
Benkelman; Bridgeport; Chadron; Gering; Glenrock, Wyo.; Gordon; Imperial; Kansas City,
Mo.; Kimball; Loveland, Colo.; Minatare; Mitchell; Morrill; Nigeria; Oshkosh; Parma,
Idaho; Rushville; Scottsbluff; Torrington, Wyo.; and Yaroslava, Russia.
Victoria Seibert of Morrill and Brittney Mitchell of Torrington are double-cast in
the role of The Mother; David Weishaar of Alliance, Victor Garza of Mitchell, and
Nicholas Elwood of Rushville are cast as the Three Kings. Nikolas Chizek will play
the role of the Page. Maggie Hopp and Morgan Yost of Scottsbluff, Brayden Ryan of
Gering, and Jared Schleicher of Alliance will be featured peasant dancers.
Admission is free as the performance is a Christmas gift to the community. No reserved
tickets. A free-will offering is being accepted. Shows on Friday, December 6 and Saturday,
December 6 begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Midwest Theater. Seating is limited. A special
matinee for students in grades 6-12 starts at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 5 and
Friday, December 6. Reservations for the matinee performances are available by calling
the Midwest Theater at 308.632.4311.