"I am very impressed with the vocal talent of our student body! An opera is a demanding play to perform but it began with a sinuously sweet tone that lasted the entire opera. I also enjoyed the way performers used the floor space and maximized their staging of a simple shepherd's hut."
Maria Found
Math Department Chair

"Absolutely wonderful! I smiled, laughed, and cried. I was so impressed with the whole production - everything from the costumes and set to the beautiful music! My sincere appreciation to all who were involved ..."
Jan Kaskiewicz
BA Staff

"It was well done and they obviously spent a lot of time working on it. Great job!"
Rachel Jeffers '05

A well-deserved standing ovation greeted the cast at the conclusion of Brewster Academy's Performing Arts production of the opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on December 4 and 5. Wolfeboro's Erica Reithel, a sophomore, was delightful in the title role of this charming one-act opera by Giancarlo Menotti who wrote both words and music. The opera tells of a crippled boy, Amahl, and his impoverished mother, played by junior Hannah Tameling of Oak Brook, Illinois, whose world changes when the Three Wise Men stop at their spare cottage on their way to Bethlehem to ask for shelter for the night. Hannah's voice was a wonderful surprise in her first Brewster production.

The local shepherds, all members of Brewster's HOWL chorus, arrive to bring gifts and gawk at the Wise Men who were played by sophomore Joe Montana of Exeter; sophomore Greg Donovan of Tuftonboro; and senior Allyse Guercia of Concord, whose part required some comedic skills. Senior Jamie Foster of Wayne, Pennsylvania, portrayed the faithful and overburdened page.

The distinguished guests are treated to a dance by two of the shepherds, sophomores Erin Wadlinger of Wolfeboro, and Rachel Berman of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and are joined by Wolfeboro's 4-year-old Helen Campbell, making her second operatic appearance.

Amahl's mother is tempted by the wealth of gifts the Wise Men have with them, and decides to steal a bit of gold to buy food for her sickly son. She is caught, but when the reason for the theft is revealed she is forgiven. The Wise Men tell Amahl and his mother that the gifts are for a newborn king and Amahl decides to give the baby his crutch, which is all he owns. A miracle ensues – he discovers he can now walk unaided and no longer needs the crutch. Amahl is invited to go with the Wise Men to Bethlehem.

This ambitious production was a welcome holiday treat – from the lilting voices of Reithel and Tameling to Menotti's delightful music played by members of Brewster's Chamber Orchestra and its director Christopher Nourse, supplemented by local talented adults on flutes, oboes, bassoon, cellos, and harp. The simple staging of the humble cottage with its backdrop of stars including the star of Bethlehem, and the entrance of many characters from the back of the hall worked well to draw the audience in to the performance. The excitement of the shepherds in meeting the Wise Men was real and infectious. And the image of Amahl hitting the page with his crutch to protect his mother provided a bit of comic relief, yet rung true in showing a child's love for a parent.

Kudos to Brewster Academy's Performing Arts Department in its successful staging of this unique holiday opera. Musical direction was provided by Andy Campbell, and stage direction by Dan Clay.

Hannah Tameling, Erica Reithel , Jamie Foster, Allyse Guercia, Joe Montana, Greg Donovan

The Wise Men tell of their journey to Bethlehem

The local shepherds arrive bearing gifts for the Wise Men




The local shepherds present their gifts to the Wise Men

Erin Wadlinger and Rachel Berman perform a dance for the honored guests