We'll be highlighting a few of the upcoming Spotlight on the Arts events, and first but not least is the UGA Opera Theatre production of 'Hansel and Gretel':

 University of Georgia Opera Theatre will present "Hansel and Gretel" in a three-night engagement Nov. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall.

The performance, part of both the UGA Spotlight on the Arts Festival and the Hugh Hodgson School of Music's 2nd Thursday Scholarship Concert Series, also features the Georgia Children's Chorus, dance department and UGA Symphony Orchestra, conducted by professor Mark Cedel.

The quasi-children's opera is the best-known work of 19th century German composer Engelbert Humperdinck.

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UGA's production of the opera will be sung in English, using a libretto unique to the performance that draws upon several translations. Presented as a fully-staged concert production, the opera features Marisan Corsino as Hansel, Elisabeth Slaten as Gretel, Chalis Montgomery in the dual role of the mother and witch, Isaiah Feken as the father and Alexis Minogue as the Sandman and Dew Fairy, two spirits encountered by the children in the forest.

"Beyond beautiful singing, musical elements, melodies and an understanding of the text, I find the most important element in any opera to be the relationships between characters," Burchinal said. "You can dress things up in all manner of fantastic settings, but the characters' interaction is at the heart of whether or not we believe what is happening in the opera. The goal is to always find a way to create reality onstage."

That's what the spotlight is for - live performance on a stage, with music, costumes, singers and musicians. All with a great story. Come out and support our students and faculty in the Opera Theatre. It's a great experience, with extraordinarily skilled performers in a friendly environment. Step into the Spotlight. #UGASpotlight