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1 Reese Parish (The Spirit), Billy Rude (Tamino), and Russell Mernagh (Monostatos, Armored Guard) in The Matchbox Magic Flute. (Photo by Alessandra Mello/Berkeley Rep)

The Matchbox Magic Flute

ADAPTED AND DIRECTED BY MARY ZIMMERMAN
BASED ON MOZART’S OPERA
IN ASSOCIATION WITH GOODMAN THEATRE
WEST COAST PREMIERE
RODA THEATRE

OCT 18–DEC 15, 2024
EXTENDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND

 

Staged on a compact set that evokes the candle-lit charm of an 18th-century opera house and the whimsy of a puppet theater, this Flute inhabits a time-spanning music hall with a high-spirited vibe. It’s romantic and grave, faithful (in its fashion) to the original, and puckishly funny…fanciful and slyly self-aware…For Zimmerman fans, the director’s transforming touch will feel both familiar and fresh. With 28 years at Berkeley Rep, including unforgettable feats like Metamorphoses and Argonautika, Zimmerman brings a kinetic and boundless imagination…animating this Flute with humor, grace, and enchanting design.

San Francisco Chronicle

A light-hearted wonderland of castles, dragons and fairies that has a cheeky charm all its own. Sparks with a sense of frivolity and fun apropos of the season, continuing the Rep’s tradition of holiday shows that inspire revelry but eschew the chestnuts.

Bay Area News Group

A lyrical, family-friendly tale of love, filled with magical instruments, epic quests, fiery trials, dragons to slay, and an evil queen to confront. An enchanting winter holiday gift from the inventive mind of MacArthur ‘genius’ Mary Zimmerman.

Berkeleyside

This Matchbox Magic Flute…is a hands-down delight and crowd-pleaser for the rest of us, and could just make Mozart fans out of the uninitiated. Bravos and bravas all around!

SFist

Zimmerman and Berkeley Rep’s venerable production team serve up not just eye-candy, but rich spectacle. The Magic Flute pays homage to grand opera without becoming entangled in the genre’s traditional wrinkles. Subtle, sophisticated nods to operatic history appear from the first moment and ingeniously continue. Zimmerman’s writing is tart, meticulously rhythmic, and updated with modern references…Delectable, satisfying…The score (adapted and arranged by Amanda Dehnert and André Pluess) is remarkable and leaves no sense of loss…only astonishment at its beauty.

Local News Matters

 

Theatrical powerhouse Mary Zimmerman (Metamorphoses, The Arabian Nights, The White Snake) triumphantly returns to Berkeley Rep with a mesmerizing English language adaptation of Mozart’s iconic Magic Flute, using only 10 singers and five musicians. Join Tamino on a daring quest to rescue the captive princess Pamina. Encounter dragons, birdmen, and trials by fire in this enchanting microcosm of wonder where magic and music intertwine. Hailed as “a box of treasures, a haze of marvels, a banquet of dreams,” by The Chicago Reader, The Matchbox Magic Flute will transport you to realms of imagination and wonder.

 

Production information

Runtime: Two hours including one 15-minute intermission

Age recommendation: Suitable for ages 10 and up

Stage effects advisory: Haze and flashing lights

Content advisory: None

At Berkeley Rep, we celebrate theatre as a communal experience, and we’re delighted to bring together a mix of theatre lovers and opera enthusiasts for this production. You’re invited to enjoy the show in your own way — whether that’s with laughter, cheers, or quiet appreciation. Our hope is that everyone feels welcome to fully engage in a way that brings both joy to you and respect to the performance and your fellow audience members.

 

Read digital program

 

Cast
(in order of appearance)

Reese Parish | The Spirit

Billy Rude* | Tamino

Lauren Molina* | First Lady, Papagena

Monica West* | Second Lady (through Nov 10)

Ann Delaney* | Second Lady (as of Nov 12)

Tina Muñoz-Pandya | Third Lady

Shawn Pfautsch* | Papageno

Emily Rohm* | Queen of the Night

Russell Mernagh* | Monostatos, Armored Guard

Marlene Fernandez* | Pamina

Fernando Watts | Sarastro, Armored Guard

 

Understudies
(in alphabetical order)

Alicia Berneche | Second Lady, Queen of the Night

Daryn Whitney Harrell* | The Spirit, Third Lady

Josh Houghton* | Papageno

Nathan Karnik | Sarastro

Elliott Litherland* | Tamino, Monostatos, Armored Guard

Emma Rosenthal* | First Lady, Papagena, Pamina

 

Musicians

Sheela Ramesh | Associate Music Director, Conductor and Piano, Keyboard Glockenspiel

Ellie Falaris Ganelin | Flute / Piccolo

Brietta Greger | Percussion

Joshua Mikus-Mahoney | Cello

Christina Walton | Violin

 

Creative team

Mary Zimmerman | Adaptor and Director

Todd Rosenthal | Scenic Design

Ana Kuzmanić | Costume Design

T.J. Gerckens | Lighting Design

André Pluess | Sound Design, Music Adapter and Arranger

Amanda Dehnert | Music Director, Music Adapter and Arranger

Charles G. LaPointe | Wig and Hair Design

Marne Anderson* | Stage Manager

Sofie Miller* | Assistant Stage Manager

* Indicates a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional stage actors and stage managers in the United States

Musicians in this production are members of Musicians United Local 6, American Federation of Musicians

Events and extras

Magic Craft Night
Join Berkeley Rep and Ace Makerspace on Dec 11 for Magic Craft Night — a family-friendly evening of creativity and fun! Craft your own magic and decorate your own crown and create a custom wand to bring the magic to life. Cap off the night with a magical performance of The Matchbox Magic Flute. Doors open at 5:45pm. This event is free to attend, but don’t forget to secure your tickets for the enchanting show!

Docent-led postshow discussions
Join your fellow audience members after all matinees for a thought-provoking postshow discussion led by our knowledgeable docents.

 

Health and safety

Masks are encouraged but optional for all performances. Visit our health and safety page for full details.

See and hear

Critics call The Matchbox Magic Flute “an enchanting winter holiday gift”

Audiences love The Matchbox Magic Flute

Mary Zimmerman returns with The Matchbox Magic Flute

Season sponsors

BART Peet's Coffee

Photo by Alessandra Mello/Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Reese Parish (The Spirit), Billy Rude (Tamino), and Russell Mernagh (Monostatos, Armored Guard) in The Matchbox Magic Flute

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