"Hänsel and Gretel" is a Sweet Treat for All Ages

The Department of Music at Southern Utah University will continue the 2025-26 Music Masterworks Series by bringing a beloved fairy tale to the stage with its production of Hänsel and Gretel, running March 25-28, 2026, in the Heritage Center Theater. This production is directed by Carol Ann Modesitt and conducted by Dr. Xun Sun.

Composed by Engelbert Humperdinck with libretto by his sister Adelheid Wette, Hänsel and Gretel premiered in 1893 at the Hoftheater in Weimar under the baton of Richard Strauss. Humperdinck described the work as a “Märchenoper,” or fairy tale opera, inspired by the classic story by the Brothers Grimm.

“Hänsel and Gretel is often referred to as a children’s opera or a Christmas opera,” said Professor Modesitt. “But it contains some of the most beautiful music ever written for the stage. Humperdinck created an incredibly rich score that blends the charm of a fairy tale with the depth and emotion of grand opera.”

While the opera is traditionally performed in German, the SUU production will be presented in English to make it more accessible to audiences of all ages. The story follows the adventurous siblings Hänsel and Gretel as they wander through the forest, encounter magical creatures, and outwit the infamous witch in a tale filled with humor, suspense, and heart.

SUU’s production will feature two alternating casts of student performers. 

Ralayna Amy, a freshman Vocal Performance major, is one of the performers portraying the Witch. She said, “My favorite part of playing the Witch is making people laugh. In rehearsals, I’ve practiced how to change my voice to be more ‘witchy’ or smile creepily, and it makes the whole cast burst into laughter. I hope the audience will, too!”

This production was designed with families in mind, offering a welcoming introduction to opera for children while still providing a rich musical experience for seasoned arts patrons.

“This opera has everything—beautiful music, memorable characters, and a story audiences of all ages can enjoy,” said Professor Modesitt. “It’s the perfect show for families to experience together.”

Performances will take place nightly at 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday matinee on March 28th at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for SUU alumni, and $5 for youth and non-SUU students. Admission is free for SUU students, faculty, and staff with a valid university I.D. Tickets to SUU’s production of Hänsel and Gretel can be purchased at the Heritage Center ticket office, up to 30 minutes before each performance.

Learn more about Music at SUU by visiting www.suu.edu/pva/music.

Wednesday/Friday/Saturday Matinee Cast

• Hänsel: Maia Hansen
• Gretel: Leonora Lund
• Witch: Ralayna Amy*
• Mother: Leahrose Schinzel
• Father: Galvin Escalona
• Sandman: Janet Crane
• Dew Fairy: Kat Anderson

Thursday/Saturday Cast

• Hänsel: Rylee Dorman
• Gretel: Alana Schmidt
• Witch: Olatz Unamuno
• Mother: Madelynn Zobel
• Father: Zachary Smith
• Sandman: Marie Osmola
• Dew Fairy: Amy Taylor

*The Witch will be played by Madelynn Zobel at the Saturday matinee.

 

About the College of Performing and Visual Arts

The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 41 academic programs including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, filmmaking, music, and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 900 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year which are complemented by the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) and Shakespeare Studies at SUU, and is affiliated with the Tony award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival (USF). Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) making SUU the first public university in the state of Utah to be accredited by all four associations. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.

Tags: Opera Music Education Music Community College of Performing and Visual Arts

Contact Information

Kol Gibson
435-865-8667
kolgibson@suu.edu