Hänsel und Gretel
by Engelbert Humperdinck | libretto by Adelheid Wette
Based after the Brothers Grimm
Kevin Newbury, guest stage director
Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Hansel und Gretel is a story about the search for home, sustenance and security. Our production is set on the Lower East Side of New York City in the Summer of 1977, a time when New York was plagued by economic insecurity, a brutal heatwave and rampant crime, including the Son of Sam’s notorious killing spree. At the same time, downtown New York was experiencing a cultural Renaissance, from the genre-defining music scene to the gender-bending nightclub culture.
The young and curious Hansel and Gretel get lost “in the woods” in a foreign city — a city both dangerous and magical. Inspired by vibrant real-life characters like David Bowie and Andy Warhol, our production is a valentine to New York's rich history and culture. In fact, Summer 1977 featured the debut of an actual valentine: the now-legendary “I♥NY” campaign. Most of all, our production is a tribute to the wit, wonder and imagination of childhood, flourishing even in the face of great hardship.
Proudly supported by Ideastream Public Media, official media partner of Oberlin's Artist Recital Series and Opera Theater productions.
_____
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets will go on sale September 1, 2026
Reserved Seats $15 ($10 for students, faculty, staff, military & seniors)
For assistance in purchasing tickets, please contact Oberlin College Central Ticket Service.
This fully-staged production of Oberlin Opera Theater will be presented in four performances, November 5 through 7 at 8pm and November 8 at 2pm. Sung in German with English supertitles. Estimated Run Time: 2 hours including intermission.
