"Hansel and Gretel" The Opera!

Directed by XANDER CONTE

Music Directed by NICHOLAS BAVANI

Musical Staging by JULIA L. WILLIAMS

Technical Director LIAM GLADDING

Educational Choreographer CIARA HALL

CJ PRODUCTIONS presents Humperdinck's classic opera HANSEL & GRETEL at The REACH! Partnership School, featuring an ensemble of community students, including those from The REACH! Partnership School.

SYNOPSIS

ACT I

In the broom-maker’s house, Hansel's complaints of hunger get him no good. Gretel shows him some milk that a neighbor has given for the family’s supper. A childish dance between the two siblings occurs as Hansel is distracted by the fun he and his sister are having. Mother returns and sees that no work has been done. She accidentally spills the milk, sends the children away to get strawberries, and then blames her mistake on the children to husband, Peter. Peter becomes upset that his children are gone and ventures out with Mother Gertrude to find Hansel and Gretel.

ACT II

In the woods, Hansel picks strawberries while becoming distracted by the cuckoo bird. Both siblings eat the entire basket of strawberries that have been picked. As the day becomes night, Hansel admits to his sister that he is lost. The children become frightened, then are put into a sleep by the Sandman. The children say their evening prayer.

ACT III

The children are woken up by the Dew Fairy. Gretel wakes Hansel, and they see an overly decorated house made of gingerbread. They do not notice the Witch. The Witch lures the starving children in with her treats, convincing them that everything will be fine. She then traps Hansel and attempts to fatten him up, little does she know that Gretel and her brother have a plan to throw her into the oven. The plan goes accordingly, and the Witch is gone. Then, gingerbread children of the past come to life and thank Hansel and Gretel for the death of the Witch. A nervous Father and Mother find their children and all express gratitude

CJ's Vision for Education OutREACH!

The vision behind our educational outreach production of Hansel and Gretel stems from our commitment to fostering a deeper appreciation for the performing arts while creating meaningful, educational opportunities for young performers. At CJ Productions, we believe that theater and opera are powerful tools for storytelling, connection, and cultural enrichment.

This opera is more than a performance—it is an immersive learning experience that exposes students to the rich traditions of classical music and opera, genres that are often underrepresented in youth arts programs. By collaborating with professional opera singers and musicians, students not only refine their vocal and performance skills but also gain a deeper understanding of discipline, artistry, and the collaborative spirit required to bring such a production to life.

Additionally, this project allows students to build bridges across communities. By partnering with Reach Partnership High School in Baltimore City, we aim to create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity in the arts, fostering teamwork and mutual support among performers from different backgrounds.

Ultimately, our vision is to inspire a new generation of performers to dream bigger, develop their craft, and see themselves as vital contributors to the cultural landscape. Through Hansel and Gretel, we hope to instill a love for the arts while demonstrating how the theater can educate, unite, and uplift.

Peace & Love,

Mr. Director

Xander Conte

A Note On Ticket Price!

While we would like to keep the cost of tickets for our shows down as much as possible, our general admission tickets are set at $30 & $40 ($18 for students) in order for us to properly compensate our actors and creatives for the time and work that they are putting into the show and our company, as well as being able to cover normal production expenses like costumes, lighting, and venue rentals. We want anyone who works on a CJ show to feel their time and efforts are being fully respected.

A Note on Content:

This live musical performance contains material that may not be suitable for all audiences, including:

Loud sounds and sudden noises

Flashing lights and strobe effects

Light Haze & Stage Fog

Viewer discretion is advised. If you or someone in your party may be sensitive to these elements, we encourage you to take this into consideration before attending. For additional details about the performance, please feel free to contact our team.

Thank you for your understanding and support. We hope you enjoy the show!

Cast

Rebecca Wood

Rebecca Wood (Gretel) is a soprano local to Baltimore, with roots in Troy, North Carolina. Recently, she performed the role of Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and understudied the title role in Tosca with Center Stage Opera, a touring opera company in Central Pennsylvania. She has performed with esteemed organizations such as the Washington National Opera (Aida), Opera Delaware (Semiramide), Annapolis Opera (Little Women), Maryland Opera (Bravissimo Bel Canto), Keystone Opera (formerly Opera Susquehanna, Company), and Young Victorian Theatre Company, Baltimore's longest-tenured musical theatre (Iolanthe). Rebecca earned her Graduate Performance Diploma and Master’s in Voice from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of South Carolina. She is currently studying under Elizabeth Futral, Distinguished Chair of Vocal Studies at Peabody.

Hannah Wardell

Hannah Wardell (Hansel) Opera credits include Teresa in Bellini's La Sonnambula, Romeo in Bellini's Capuleti ei Montecchi, The Princess in Dargomyzhsky's Rusalka, Polina in Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades, Cherubino in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, The Third Lady in Mozart's The Magic Flute, Dorabella in Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte, Iolanthe in Gilbert and Sullivan's Iolanthe, and The Sorceress in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. In addition to opera, Hannah is an avid performer of art sons and has recently been granted the Rubinstein Award from the Triumph International Russian Competition, based out of Philadelphia.

J Purnell Hargrove

J Purnell Hargrove (The Witch) is returning to CJ Productions after being featured as Professor Hidgens in The Guy Who Didn’t Like Muiscals. They are the co-founder of The Greasy Utterson, a podcast company which released a long form audio drama version of The Secret Garden, found on all major podcast platforms. They are also the Vice President of Fells Point Corner Theatre, helping to shape the diversity in the arts scene of Baltimore. Most recently, they played Pongo in The Starlight Barking, the sequel to 101 Dalmatians, and Lola in Kinky Boots at Dundalk Community Theatre. Next up, J will be in Clybourne Park at Spotlighters Theatre.

Lulu Hassanein

Lulu Hassanein (Dew Fairy / Sandman) is a Maryland-based versatile storyteller, performing across many genres: classical and contemporary, operatic, musical, and straight theatre. Hassanein is an empathetic and dynamic performer. Recently, Lulu Hassanein was awarded 1st Place in the 3rd Year Post High School Classical Treble Category at MD-DC NATS and 2nd Prize in the Undergraduate division of the 2024 Peabody Art Song Competition. In February 2025, Hassanein will portray Furia 1 in Cavalli’s La Calisto with Peabody Opera at The Baltimore Theatre Project. In March 2025, Hassanein will be a Soprano in il Coro of Mozart’s La Clemenza Di Tito with Peabody Opera at Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall. Hassanein is a third-year undergraduate at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, pursuing degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education under the tutelage of Dr. Carl DuPont. IG: @lulu.hassanein

Jessica Lynn

Jessica Lynn (Mother) has traveled and performed as a concert soloist in Italy, Russia, the Czech Republic, Ghana, The Bahamas, and throughout various cities in the United States. Upon the completion of her studies at Morgan State, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, she began her Master of Music studies at The University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music where she studied voice under soprano Barbara Honn. Past operatic performances include Königin der Nacht in Die Zauberflöte (Mozart), Clara in Porgy and Bess (Gershwin), Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart), and Suor Angelica in Suor Angelica (Puccini). As a native of Baltimore, Maryland, Ms. Lynn is an avid concert and oratorio performer in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area and has been featured as a guest soloist with The Baltimore Choral Arts Society, Harford Choral Society, and Maryland Choral Society.

Kevin Paton-Cole

Kevin Paton-Cole (Father) is an African-American operatic bass-baritone and organist who studied music at the Johns Hopkins Peabody, earning both a Bachelors and Master of Music Degree in Voice Performance, Vocal Pedagogy, and a minor in Organ Performance. His teachers include world-renowned American baritone William Sharp for voice and Dr. Daniel Aune for organ performance. He is currently the organist at Saint John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, where he also serves as Director of Music and Liturgy. Recent performances include the role of Angelotti and the jailer in Maryland Opera's production of Pucinni's Tosca, Bass-Baritone soloist at Maryland Opera's Friday at Boordy Vineyards, and organ soloist at Baltimore American Guild of Organist Scholar Recital.

Student Ensemble

Melanie Tapia

Melanie Tapia is in the 12th grade at REACH! Partnership High School. She is involved in the theatre club as President. Outside of school, she loves to bake and hang out with her friends. She dreams to be a nurse with her Masters degree. "Thank you to Mr. C for pushing me towards this club."

Tyler Akor

Tyler Akor is a part of chorus here at REACH! Partnership School. His after school hobbies include going home and just relaxing, helping around the house, and playing video games. His future aspirations are to either go to college or get into the working world. "Thanks to everyone for supporting me."

Myesha McNeill

Myesha McNeill is in the 12th grade from Baltimore, Maryland and used to live in Alabama. She goes to REACH! Partnership High School and is very excited to be in this production. In my free time, she is active in her school’s choir “The REACH! Harmonix” and the school’s drama club “The REACH! Partnership Players." She would love to thank Mr. Bavani and Mr. Conte for encouraging her to face her fear of stage fright.

Ayanna Lawson

Ayanna Lawson is from Charleston, South Carolina and a is Junior. She is in the after school choir and in the nerd club hosted by Mr. Levy on Thursdays. She likes to read, sleep, and sing musicals in her spare time. She wishes to become an OBGYN in the future, and her dream college is Johns Hopkins University.

Kaiya Tucker

Kaiya Tucker is from Baltimore, Maryland and is in the 10th grade. She does an after school program called Earn to Learn and choir. When she leaves REACH! she wants to go to BCCC to become a nurse. "I wanna say thank you to my family my friends and my teachers for helping me get through everything."

Naomi Morris

Naomi Morris is in drama and choir at REACH! Partnership School. She thanks her mom, dad, siblings and cousins!

Production Team

Nicholas Bavani

Nicholas Bavani (Musical Director) Nicholas Bavani's studies include a bachelor's of Music, Music Education from Shepherd University, and a Masters of Music, in Music Education from West Chester University. This is Bavani's very first time music directing and accompanying a fully staged Opera. Over the past 7 years he has performed as a piano accompanist for various Opera and Musical Theater vocalists. In 2024, Bavani teamed up with Alexander Conte, creating the musical series "Classical Meets Broadway," which traveled throughout the region and the United Kingdom. This production of Hansel and Gretel is a tribute to this idea and to unite modern ideas of musical theater, with classic productions such as this. Bavani would like to thank his piano teachers past and present for helping him get to this stage in his career, and thank Alexander Conte for taking on the daunting task of a Late Romantic German Opera as an educational project.

Xander Conte

Xander Conte (Director/Producer) is a Pittsburgh native who is thrilled for CJ Productions inaugural show in partnership with Notre Dame of Maryland University! Xander earned a Bachelor in Food Science and a Theatre Minor at PSU. He will be graduating from JHU with a Master’s in Education this May! Xander teaches chemistry, biology, and theatre for BCPSS. In his free time, Xander performs jazz at Philly’s Midnight & The Wicked, teaches set design for BSA’s TWIGS program, set designs at the JCC’s Gordon Center, and in summer 2024 he performed in London, UK. He’s the proud father of three beautiful kittens. Xander would like to thank CJ’s team, his students, friends, and family for their priceless support. Xander is a co-founder of CJ Productions! Credits: Robbie Hart in (SS), Calogero (DCT), Oscar Lindquist (CCST), Trent Oliver (STC), Whizzer (MTC), Shakespeare (CCST), Jamie Wellerstein (CJ), and Huey Calhoun (LTA). Xander is Al Tony. Insta: @antoine4386

Liam Gladding

Liam Gladding (Technical Director/Stage Manager) is New York State-born, Boston-raised, and excited as all hell to be working on Hansel and Gretel! Liam has worked in technical theater in Boston for seven years, and he has been so thankful to be a part of this community. In joining the gang, he has learned to juggle many responsibilities, including stage management, lighting design, on top of teaching Chemistry and running the Drama Club with Xander at REACH! This production is all about making the arts accessible to any community, and making sure every kid who needs it has a home on or behind the stage. He would like to thank the cast and CJ's team for pulling this show together, and the kids for putting their all into this show every day. Most of all, Liam would like to thank you for supporting our mission! Follow us on IG @cjproductionsmd to keep up with the next show!

Julia L. Williams

Julia L. Williams (Movement Coordinator) is excited to work with CJ Productions again on a new project! Recently, she was seen with CJ Productions on stage in The Last Five Years (Cathy) and The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (Charlotte). Julia is a local choreographer, arts instructor, dance captain, and performer. Select choreography credits include McCafferty Arts: Mary Poppins; Rome School: Ça Ira, The Tenderland. Upcoming choreography: Seussical with Silhouette Stages and Fame with McDonough Upper. When not on stage, Julia is a music and movement instructor with Cherry Children’s Music Outreach, a choreographer for In Home Wedding Dance Lessons, and works at the Maryland Science Center. Up next, Julia will be returning to Toby’s Dinner Theatre as Zaneeta in The Music Man this March!
www.julialwilliams.com

Sammy Jungwirth

Sammy Jungwirth (Scenic Design) is an award winning 19-year-old theatre artist who has worked on over 200 productions in the Baltimore area and has been called a “Theatre prodigy” by MDTheatreGuide. He works mostly as a freelance set & lighting designer in the DMV area, as well as being a resident artist with Cockpit in Court & Children’s Playhouse of MD. Shortly after graduating from George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, he started the small professional theatre company CJ PRODUCTIONS with his business partner Xander Conte through which he has produced and directed multiple Off-Broadway & Baltimore projects including Zelda the Musical, The Last Five Years, and The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals. He is also a professional drummer and vocalist.

Special Thanks!

Our production team would like to thank our ticket donors!

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