Hansel and Gretel: dinner and a show

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the return of composer Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, in six performances January 25 to February 5, 2023. 

Originally directed by Richard Jones, the classic Brother’s Grimm story is interpreted for a modern Chicago audience by director Eric Einhorn. The sweetly grotesque set design takes audiences on a strange and twisted world of discovery. The stark, gray stage portrays the evident hunger of the family members while in contrast, the witch’s tablescape is laden with tall, colorful cakes full of loveliness. The stage backdrops of fork, plate and knife alternating throughout the production is equally as unsettling, adding to the deliciously dark fairytale.

Brother and sister, Hansel and Gretel, starving and trying to distract themselves from their immense hunger by dancing and rough housing, are sent out to fetch berries in the Haunted Woods by their equally hungry and annoyed mother. Of course, they get lost in the woods overnight and comfort themselves by dreaming a delicious and divine foodie dream made up of 14 chef angels and a fish-headed server. Awakening, they come upon a magical house made of candy, gingerbread and cake. Unbeknownst to them, the owner of the delectable house is an evil witch ready to bake them in her oven. Creepily surrounded by “doll breads,” the witch beckons and entices them with goodies, until they realize they are being lured into a trap.  Alas, her spells are cast, and the duo must work together to save themselves.

Conducting the Lyric Opera Orchestra is Sir Andrew Davis, who returns for his first operatic production since he retired as Lyric’s Music Director in 2021. Hansel and Gretel will mark his 701st opera performance at Lyric.

The cast is led by Samantha Hankey in her Lyric debut as Hansel, Heidi Stober as Gretel and Jill Grove, a beloved Lyric star of more than a dozen operas as the Witch. In the Lyric Opera’s Lyric Lately blog: Q & A with Jill Grove, Grove says being back for this show is “a challenging part, higher in the register for a mezzo, plus in this production there is very intense 'food choreography.' I usually end up finding flour and frosting everywhere at the end of the show.”  She also reveals what her house of candy would be made of. “Oh…Reese’s cups, violet crumble, Smarties and Snickers.”

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is renowned internationally for its artistic excellence. Founded in 1954, Lyric has distinguished itself by presenting the finest international singers, conductors, directors and designers in classic, less-familiar operatic repertoires and in world-premiere productions.

Important to know

• Six chances to see Hansel and Gretel: January 25, 27, 29, February 1, 3 and 5, 2023.
• A total running time of 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission.
• Sung in German, with easy-to-follow English translations projected above the stage.
• Co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago and Welsh National Opera.
• For more information and to order tickets, visit lyricopera.org/hansel or call 312.827.5600.
• For updated information about Lyric’s ongoing initiatives regarding health and safety protocols, visit lyricopera.org/safety.

Dinner at Florian

To enhance a night out at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, dine at the Florian, Lyric's newly renovated third-floor restaurant. The Florian provides an elegant, prix fixe dining experience exclusively for Lyric Opera patrons, reminiscent of a supper club, with a focus on prime rib, classic cocktails and a thoughtfully curated wine list. A walk-in Bar Bites menu, intermission dessert service (an experience to try especially apropos for Hansel and Gretel), and post-show cocktails are also available. 

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