Carmen

The Hawaii Opera Theater chose Kula Elementary as the school with which to do a collaborative opera. A few of the professional actors/actresses/directors performed in the opera Carmen with students from Kula Elementary where Jairin, Miri, Caroline and Aria attend. Miri tried out for a part (Jairin was not interested and did not try out and Aria was too young). Miri was assigned the role of Manwella, a gypsy factory worker. Not only did she get to sing most of the songs, but she was excited to have a small speaking part as well. There were five performances, and so we took turns going to see Miri perform. It was cute because the professional actor/actress who played Don Jose and Carmen were very tall next to the little elementary school children who were playing their fellow soldiers, gypsies and even lovers.

Miri is the haole in the white blouse with the flowered skirt and black necklace.

Miri in front of Don Jose. (left)

Miri listens to Carmen sing. (right)

A couple of the children even sang duets with the professionals. They did very well considering the strong opera voices with whom they were singing. Miri loves to sing, and she really enjoyed participating in Carmen.

Here is Miri belting out her opera :-)!

This is the adoring crowd cheering for the torreadors.
Other than the play being a shortened version of the real opera, there was one other significant difference. Carmen did not die in the end. As Don Jose told Carmen, "Fate can change." I guess the happy G-rated ending was due to the age of most of the performers.