'Amahl & Night Visitors' Features Bernardsville Resident

The Light Opera of New Jersey, based in Basking Ridge, will present the Christmas classic “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Friday and Saturday at 5 and 7 p.m. each evening at  St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 140 South Finley Ave., Basking Ridge.

“Amahl” will be a fully staged production presented by the Light Opera of New Jersey, formerly Ridge Light Opera, with performers and under the direction of area residents, including the company's executive producer, William Corson of Basking Ridge.

Suited for children and adults    

A special Christmas event, Amahl and the Night Visitors has the distinction of being the first opera written for television back in 1951. The story deals with Amahl, a young peasant shepherd boy who can only walk with the aid of a staff, and his widowed mother who is doing her best to look after him.  Amazing things transpire when the two are visited by three royal kings on their way to see the Christ child in Bethlehem. This operetta is a sweet warm story and is especially well suited for children.

This show will feature Susan Kirkland of New Providence as the mother, with both Andrew Pulver (Summit) and Daniel Celentano (Bernardsville) as Amahl in alternating performances.

John Lamb (Randolph) is cast as King Balthazar, Tom Donelan (Whippany, NJ) as King Melchior and Corson, of Basking Ridge, as King Kaspar.

Under the direction of Joanna Hoty Russell, of Murray Hill, soloists and ensemble will perform this heart rendering Christmas favorite with full costumes, scenery and stage lighting. Musical accompaniment is by Helen Raymaker and set design is by William J. Ward. Staging and Choreography is assisted by Jillian Petrie of Hackettstown.  

Tickets are for sale online at www.LightOperaOfNewJersey.org, or at the door: $20 Adults, $10 (Children 12 and under).

For further information, call 908-903-0703.