The opera will be performed in English. In an unusual bit of casting, counter-tenor Tyler Wayne Smith will sing the role of the Witch, who nearly bakes the lost children of the title in an oven. Smith will lead a company including Anna Petrie (Hansel), Kat Ross (Gretel), Ted Dougherty (Father), Jennifer Grodi (Sandman), Pavithra Rajagopalan (Dew Fairy) and Caroline Tye (Mother). Opera Breve will present the production, for which Gary Norden and Lenora Eve will serve as music directors, with Kristine Koury as costume designer.

Affannato recently directed David Hasselhoff's World Tour Concert.  Acting credits include Carmen Ghia in the Las Vegas production of The Producers, Marius in the original Broadway production of Les Miserables and the title role in Floyd Collins at Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C. (Helen Hayes Award nomination). He has appeared Off-Broadway in Forbidden Broadway, Slut and Illyria.

St. Michael's Parish House is located at 225 West 99th Street. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. To reserve tickets, call (646) 200-5101 or e-mail [email protected].