WHEN:
April 5 & 6, 2025
WHERE:
Vincent Anthony Founders Theater
Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring St. NW
Atlanta GA 30309
A spokesperson describes the event as follows:
“... The Atlanta Opera Studio Tour reimagines The Magic Flute as a new production for kids of all ages. This forty-five-minute abridged opera combines captivating puppets with talented local artists to take you on a magical mission, navigated by Mozart’s timeless and energetic score.
...In this opera, Prince Tamino is sent by the Queen of the Night to bring back her daughter Pamina from the temple of wisdom where she was taken by the high priest Sarastro. Assisted by the comic Papageno, a bird catcher, Tamino sets out on the quest only to realize that the Queen is the real villain. Instead of returning to the Queen, Pamina and Tamino decide to seek wisdom. With the help of a magic flute, they triumph and find love for each other..."
CAST:
Performing as Tamino is tenor Levi Adkins, who is also a composer and music educator based in Atlanta. Leading lady Pamina is performed by Alexandra Watson, a graduate of Georgia State University and voice teacher at The Music Studio Atlanta. She was most recently seen as a chorus member in the mainstage production of TAO’s The Magic Flute. Bass/baritone Michael Ntwa Ydjumbwiths, performing as Papageno and Sarastro, is an experienced performer having toured with the Vienna Boys Choir and in productions at UCLA. In the role of Queen of the Night is Sarah McHan. As Papagena, the bird catcher’s girlfriend, is Jessica Wax, an Atlanta-based artist who has performed with TAO since 2015. Music director and pianist for the tour is Nyle Matsuoka.
Jason Hines, Artistic Director for the Center of Puppetry Arts, designed the larger-than-life puppets featured in this production. New puppets of Sarastro, Queen of the Night, and the Dragon bring exceptional artistry and delight to this production. Hines also served as Puppetry Consultant and helped teach the talented singers to work with puppets before the start of the tour. Each singer also serves as a puppeteer in all performances.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Brenna Corner – now artistic director of Pacific Opera Victoria. Corner created this adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute for families. Joanna Schmink created the costumes, and Christopher Dills developed the scenic design with the challenge of creating a set that is both effective and portable. The production is directed by Ricardo Aponte.
