The Maker of Illusions
The Maker of Illusions
A light children's opera with moral lessons about inner beauty
and caring for others.
by Seymour Barab
Join the Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus (MOTCC) as we present The Maker of Illusions, a light children's opera that explores the important themes of inner beauty and caring for others.  The children's opera is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, "The Snow Queen," and was last performed by the MOTCC  in May of 2008.


Synopsis
For transgressions against her people, a wicked Queen has been imprisoned on a lonely mountain top, where she is being guarded by a Genie and his Goblins.  The Queen, horrified to discover that she is losing her beauty, believes it is due to the hostile climate, but the Genie explains that she has squandered her Life Force on evil deeds.  The Queen demands that the Genie bring her a mortal whose Life Force will be sacrificed to restore her beauty.  The Genie works an illusion on a Boy of the valley below, causing him to run away from his home and go up the mountain, where he feels a happy fate awaits him.  The Boy's Sister, fearing he will freeze or starve, goes in pursuit of him.  The Genie, by creating illusions and with the help of the Goblins, tries to stop her, but her determination overcomes his efforts, and she rescues the Boy in the nick of time.  In the end, the Snow Queen learns that the beauty of a person lies in their affection and compassion. 
May, 2008 MOTCC Production of The Maker of Illusions
What:  The Maker of Illusions (MOTCC children's opera)
When:  Friday, March 25, 2011 - Invited Student Dress Rehearsal at 11:00 AM
When:  Saturday, March 26, 2011 - Public Performance at 2:30 PM
Where:  Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226
Tickets:  For the Friday student show, email Megan Landry at mlandry@motopera.org or call 248-914-1966. 
For the Saturday performance, visit www.motopera.org, call 313-237-SING, or visit the DOH box office at the DOH.

Friday:  $10/Student Ticket; 1 FREE Chaperone Ticket/every 10 Student Tickets

Saturday:
Child - $15.00
Adult -  $30.00
Patron -  $50.00
This year, the MOTCC is excited to offer BACKSTAGE TOURS following the Friday Invited Student Dress Rehearsal of The Maker of Illusions!  Students and Chaperones will walk on the Detroit Opera House stage and see the opera set first hand, meet cast members, climb into the orchestra pit, experience the MOT costume shop,  dressing rooms, wig and make-up room, and hear the history of the historic Detroit Opera House.  Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your student's cultural experience.  At $2/person, these tours are sure to fill up fast!  Sign-up when you order your tickets.   
The MOTCC is very excited to partner with Michigan author, Tara Michener!  Tara is the author of the "Who I Am" series of books that celebrate self-esteem and diversity in young people.  Tara's book and presentation series directly relate to the moral lessons learned by many of the characters in The Maker of Illusions.  She will be featured in a 10 minute pre-opera presentation before the Friday and Saturday performances of The Maker of Illusions.  She has high energy, she's fun, and she approaches important subjects that children face today.  Check her out on her website HERE or learn more about her in her bio!

If you're inspired after seeing The Maker of Illusions and you're interested in booking Tara to come speak at your school, you can contact her in the following ways:

Email:  whoiamnotwhatiam@yahoo.com
Phone:  734-968-4458   
The 2010-2011 MOTCC in Staging Rehearsals for "The Maker of Illusions" on February 7, 2011
Scene 1 - The Goblin's exercises