Welcome to our charming production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. You’ll recognize the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, but with a tender twist: Hansel and Gretel are not abandoned but sent into the forest by their mother to gather berries to nourish their family. Lost and alone, they are visited by the Sandman, the Dew Fairy, and a host of woodland fairies—all set to some of the most exquisite music in the operatic repertoire. The dawn brings us to the gingerbread house, where the children must confront the evil witch and lean into their unbreakable sibling bond.

This opera has humor, drama, breathtaking music, and a message of hope and resilience. Most importantly, it has you—our audience. Nothing brings us greater joy than hearing your laughter, your applause, your cheers. Our team has been working for months on this production, and YOU are the final piece of magic that brings it to life.

This production has been guided by the imagination and artistry of our stage director, Christopher Burchett, a DMA candidate at UK Opera Theatre. I have known Chris since I recruited him out of high school, and it has been a joy to watch him grow as an artist and director. You will see his creativity and care woven into every moment of this performance.

I also want to thank OperaLex for their partnership and support. Their generosity helps us bring productions like this to life and ensures our students have the chance to shine onstage and behind the scenes.

Thank you for being with us tonight. Thank you for supporting UK Opera Theatre, our students, and the arts in Lexington. Together, we are building something magical.

Enjoy the show!

With gratitude and joy,
Everett McCorvey

Presented by the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre

by Englebert Humperdinck

Dr. Everett McCorvey
Producer

Christopher Burchett
Staging Director

John Nardolillo
Conductor

Megh Jennings-Posner
Production Stage Manager

Aaron Bowling
Technical Director

Sarah Oliver
Costume Designer

Theresa Bautista
Choreographer

Tanya Harper
Lighting Designer

Esther Neel
Props Designer

Catherine Clarke Nardolillo
Chorus Master

Aaron Bowling
Head Scenic

Fri 10am & Sat 2pm

GRETEL
Hailey Wells

HANSEL
Katie Buchanan

WITCH
Emily Wilder

MOTHER
Mariah Graves

FATHER
Will Jones

SANDMAN
Kelli Evans

DEW FAIRY
Zetong Xu

Fri 7:30pm & Sun 2pm

GRETEL
Sierra Kidd

HANSEL
Ella Clark

WITCH
Dylon Crain

MOTHER
Dejah Watts

FATHER
Brandon Whitish

SANDMAN
Emily Hayes

DEW FAIRY
Brianna Santiago-Kane

CHORUS

Christian Abbo, Cory Brooks, Calia Burdette, Jaime Chaudoin, Frank Espinosa, Kelli Evans, Emily Hayes, Qifan Li, Che Lin, Jay McNamee, Lydia Naberhaus, Ashley Patak, Brianna Santiago-Kane, Max Taylor, Andrew Tran, Zetong Xu

DANCERS

Gretel: Ali King
Hansel: Brooke Baldwin
Forest Fairies: Natalie Brisken, Charlotte Brown, Sarah Deale,
Holly Fullington, Allison Gates, Luci Mangen

UK Symphony Orchestra Members

John Nardolillo, Music Director and Conductor

Flute
Alex Nguyen 
Scarlet Head

Oboe
Amelia Johnson 
Dominic Luthje

Clarinet 
JoJo Dennis  
Gracie Burrows 

Bassoon
Heather Kulengowski 
Jack Baker 

Horn
Caleb Zimmer 
Rosemary Clifford 
Nicholas O’Banion
Eli Ratliff

Trumpet
Ellie Lundy
Jacob Wilson 

Tenor Trombone  
Matthew Gallegos
Will Hatten 

Bass Trombone 
Gabe Brown

Tuba
Ian Graves

Timpani
Aaron Creech

Percussion
Coleman Shofner
Nathan Baker
Caendra Baugus

Violin I
Edgar Querales  
Saelim Henderson 
Reisa Fukuda  
Luise Wendroth    
Justyn Douthit 

Violin II 
Selena Vega 
Naomi Folwick 
Dorottya Gal
Sarah Padgett  

Viola
Joey Elliott 
Ethan Buell 
Maia Smith 
Ben Wells 
Bailey Hall  

Cello
Kaimipono Santos 
Holden Bitner 
Matthew Lederer 
Chris Kim

Bass
Elizabeth Gallaway 
Vykai Forrester 

Harp
Elaine Cook

Producer
Dr. Everett McCorvey

Staging Director
Christopher Burchett

Conductor
 John Nardolillo

Production Stage Manager
Megh Jennings-Posner

Technical Director
Aaron Bowling

Choreographer
Theresa Bautista

Costume Designer
Sarah Oliver

Props Designer
Esther Neel

Lighting Designer
Tanya Harper

Head Scenic
Aaron Bowling

Chorus Master
Catherine Clark Nardolillo

Assistant Director
Esther Neel

Program Coordinator
Megh Jennings-Posner

Production Manager
Aaron Bowling

Assistant Stage Managers
Fairynne Rogers William Middleton III

Production Assistant
Michael Daniels

Scenic Artists
Lilly Buck
Cassie Dranschak
Logan Gregory
Kevin Nedberg
Vex Sargent
Kenna Seng
Megan Todd

Vocal Coaches
Dr. Tedrin Blair Lindsay
Nan McSwain
Robert Bosworth

Assistant Conductors
Merih Ozden
Stephen Gomez Nicoletta Moss

Assistant Costume Designer
Ivory Besse

UK Costume Director
Lisa Wilson

UK Stock Specialist
Andrea Richardson

UK Cutter/Draper
Natalie Maynard

Props Assistant
Elpida Zavitsanou

Supertitles Creator
Jeffrey Todd

Supertitles Operator
Jackson Cleland

IATSE Local 346
Run Crew:

Head Flyman
Cosmo Casals

Head Carpenter
Joe Harris

Carpenters
Josh Kilian
John Morgan

Master Electrician
Chris Ruby

Spot Operators
Sandi Tyrie
Lynda Matusek
Brandon Stephens

Wardrobe Crew Chief
Susan Manning

Propsmaster
Neil Towery

Head Audio 
Paul Manning

Thank yous

UK Department of Theatre and Dance

Zak Stribling

Kate Fields

Kevin Nedberg

Wright State University

Keith Jones

Converse College, Petrie School of Music

SORA Aerial Arts

Media Supporter WKYT