The Pittsburgh Savoyards continue their 86th season with a double feature of Gian Carlo Menotti’s one-act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors coupled with the world premiere of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi musical, adapted by Robert Hockenberry with a score composed by Paul Yeater. Performances will be held December 1-3, 8-10 and 15-16, 2023 at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center in Pittsburgh Savoyards headquarters (directions and parking).
Until January 14th, we are offering recordings of the livestreams of The Gift of the Magi on December 15 & 16, for $10. We are unable to include Amahl and the Night Visitors in the recording due to contractual obligations.
Click here for The Gift of the Magi LIVESTREAM recordings
Performance dates and times are as follows:
- Friday, December 1 at 7:30 pm
- Saturday, December 2 at 2:30 pm (Light Up Bellevue)
- Sunday, December 3 at 2:30 pm
- Friday, December 8 at 7:30 pm
- Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 pm
- Sunday, December 10 at 2:30 pm
- Friday, December 15 at 7:30 pm (Gift of the Magi livestream)
- Saturday, December 16 at 7:30 pm (Gift of the Magi livestream)
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Things are rough for the disabled shepherd boy Amahl and his mother. His father is gone, they have had to sell the sheep, and are on the verge of becoming beggars. One night, when Amahl is playing his flute he notices a bright star with a long tail in the sky. His mother doesn’t believe him and orders him to bed. In the middle of the night, they are awoken to a banging on the door – it is three kings who are following the star to bring gifts to the king of kings. While they have little, Amahl’s mother invites them in to pass the night in their home. Amahl is enamored of them and questions the three kings who are charmed by him. They reveal they are bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child. But trouble arises when the mother sees all that gold in the same house where her child is about to starve. Will she turn thief to save her son? Or are miracles in store on this enchanted night? Amahl and the Night Visitors was the first opera ever written for television and is the most produced opera by a modern composer in the world.
The Gift of the Magi is the world premiere of a new musical based on the famous O. Henry short story as well as his other works. It follows the story of several people who have moved to New York to start a new life. Jim and Della are optimistic as they start their marriage until a bank panic leads to a change in their economic future. Norah is caring for a sick brother that has been placed in her care after the death of their parents, Irving is haunted by his family’s rejection, Katy is constantly badgered to settle down and marry, and Soapy just wants to spend the holidays in the warmth of prison instead of on the streets. As they all struggle to move forward from their pasts, they discover the true meaning of Christmas gifts and giving of themselves.
Click here for in-person tickets
Click here for The Gift of the Magi LIVESTREAM recordings
More Information
Preview: Pittsburgh Savoyards Doubles the Christmas Spirit with the Staging of Two One-Act Plays – Pittsburgh Owlscribe
Preview: Pittsburgh Art Events: November 27-December 3 – Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
Stage Director – Robert Hockenberry
Music Director – Guy Russo
Production Manager – Lynette Garlan
Stage Manager – Charlene Baker
Technical Director – Robert Hockenberry
Costumes – Megan Kelly
Sound Design – Matt Lisiak
Cast for Amahl and the Night Visitors
| Role | Performer |
|---|---|
| Mother | Lynea Csefalvay (Dec. 1, 3, 9, 15) Caryn Greco (Dec. 2, 8, 10, 16) |
| Amahl | Chelsie Clydesdale (Dec. 1, 3, 9, 15) Matthew Frontz (Dec. 2, 8, 10, 16) |
| Melchior | Chuck Cohen (Dec. 1, 3, 9, 15) Logan Newman (Dec. 2, 8, 10, 16) |
| Balthazar | Dr. Gregory Patrick |
| Kaspar | Josh Berkey (Dec. 1, 3, 9, 15) Zhen Yu Ding (Dec. 2, 8, 10, 16) |
| Page | Benjamin Zaksek |
| Dancing Shepherdess | Angelic Hutchinson |
| Ensemble | Brady Collins Susan Hood Katie Kirby Kate Manuel Kathryn Morosky Kitty Telep |
Cast for The Gift of the Magi
| Role | Performer |
|---|---|
| Jim Young | Logan Newman |
| Della Young | Jonahcharis Brown (Dec. 1, 3, 9, 15) Kate Manuel (Dec. 2, 8, 10, 16) |
| Norah Greenway | Brady Collins (Dec. 1, 3, 9, 15) Katie Kirby (Dec. 2, 8, 10, 16) |
| Brady Greenway | Carson Gallagher |
| Irving Lorison | Andrew Mours |
| Bridget Dempsey | Janette Schafer |
| Katy Dempsey | Susan Hood (Dec. 1, 2, 3, 15) Tracy Rudzinski (Dec. 8, 9, 10, 16) |
| Soapy Smith | Sarah Deasey (Dec. 1, 8, 9, 15) Jordan Hightower (Dec. 2, 3, 10, 16) |
| Reverend Regan | Jason Batchelor |
| Officer Remsen | Asrael Barnabei |
| Etc. Jones | Sarah Schultz (Dec. 1, 3, 8, 15) Kathryn Morosky (Dec. 2, 9, 10, 16) |