The Terrifying Puppet Show of the Vile Witch Marionette

The phrase "vile witch marionette" evokes a sense of darkness, mystery, and manipulation. It conjures up an image of a twisted and malicious puppet, controlled by an unseen force with nefarious intentions. The word "vile" suggests a deep sense of evil or immorality, while "witch" adds an element of sorcery or supernatural power. Marionettes are traditionally puppets that are manipulated by strings attached to their limbs, giving the puppeteer the ability to control their movements. The idea of a witch marionette implies that this manipulation is performed by someone with magical or supernatural abilities. This adds an additional layer of intrigue to the image, as it suggests that the actions of the marionette are guided by a higher power.

Voices of Horror has an eclectic dramaturgy: unsurprisingly, since Werner is a comedian, clown and ventriloquist, it draws on improvisation, audience participation, ‘muppet-style puppetry and some expert voice-throwing to pay a very silly homage to such films as The Exorcist and The Conjuring. Brew the Witch (a puppet) and Lachy (Werner) throw a séance, and the inevitable relationship between ventriloquism and demonic possession makes it more than a night to remember.

Voices of Horror has an eclectic dramaturgy unsurprisingly, since Werner is a comedian, clown and ventriloquist, it draws on improvisation, audience participation, muppet-style puppetry and some expert voice-throwing to pay a very silly homage to such films as The Exorcist and The Conjuring. Over the course of that hour-long improvised session, I realized that Onyx has been a way for me to process a lot of things from my childhood and deal with a lot of anxiety, fears, and insecurities.

This adds an additional layer of intrigue to the image, as it suggests that the actions of the marionette are guided by a higher power. The combination of the words "vile," "witch," and "marionette" also implies a lack of agency or free will on the part of the puppet. The marionette is entirely at the mercy of its puppeteer, unable to rebel or escape its control.

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel head into the forest in search of food—but they almost end up as tasty treats themselves when they start nibbling on the deliciously edible house of a very nasty witch!

Look for a happy ending and “larger-than-life puppets that steal the show in a fantasyland production that’s all sugar and spice.”—Los Angeles Times

With his vocal prowess and charisma, countertenor Kangmin Justin Kim “is an utter sensation” (Süddeutsche Zeitung); emerging star Elena Villalón has won scores of prestigious competitions; and Patricia Racette is one of today’s most riveting singing actresses who’ll eat up the stage as both the Mother and the Witch!

“A fantasy world that audiences will be happy to join.”—Los Angeles Times

Music Director Emmanuel Villaume conducts this production from LA Opera.

$25 tickets for children ages 6-17! (excludes Box seats)

Read the Program Book!

Hansel and Gretel is a Production of Los Angeles Opera. Production, Set Design, and Costumes by Douglas Fitch.

Show Details

Language

Sung in English with English Titles

Running Time

The performance will be approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes including one intermission.

Rating

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Cast

Kangmin Justin Kim

Elena Villalón

Patricia Racette

Mark Delavan

Lindsay Metzger

Gabrielle Gilliam

Kayleigh Eidson

Silken Kelly

J. Alexander Langley

Keon K. Nickie

Creative Team

Emmanuel Villaume

Doug Fitch

Duane Schuler

Eric Watkins

Austin Spangler

Kimberley Ahrens

Greater Dallas Choral Society

David Zimmerman

Synopsis

ACT ONE

Hansel and Gretel are at home, working to earn some money for their poor family: Hansel makes brooms and Gretel is mending things. The children are hungry and distracted, especially Hansel. Gretel tells her brother that their mother has hinted that she expects to sell enough brooms to buy food. With the prospect of something for supper, both children are more animated.

Their mother Gertrude returns, angry at how little they have done while she was gone. Unable to conceal her irritation, she knocks the pitcher of milk onto the floor, and dinner is lost. Despondent, she sends the children into the forest to find something to eat. Their father Peter returns from a successful day selling brooms, with baskets full of food. When Peter notices that the children aren’t there, Gertrude explains that she sent them into the forest. Frightened, Peter tells his wife that he heard the townspeople speak of a witch living in the woods, who turns children into gingerbread by burning them alive in her oven. Both parents rush into the forest to search for the children.

Hansel and Gretel gather mushrooms and berries in the forest. Unable to resist playing, however, Hansel falls on their baskets, destroying them and crushing their food. As night falls, the forest becomes scarier, and the children realize that they are lost. Every noise and shadow frightens the children. The Sandman appears, dusting their eyes with sand, causing them to grow tired. The children say their evening prayers and fall asleep together beneath the trees.

ACT TWO

An orchestral interlude introduces a new day. The Dew Fairy arrives to awaken Hansel and Gretel. The children are groggy at first, but delight overcomes them when they discover a gingerbread house decorated with every sort of candy imaginable. As they nibble at bits of the house, the Witch approaches, first inviting them inside gently. When the children refuse, the Witch uses her black magic to keep them there. It becomes frighteningly clear to the children that they are on the evening’s menu. The Witch feeds Hansel, casting a spell that causes him to grow until he is plump enough to roast. While the Witch flies around the house excitedly on her broomstick, Gretel uses one of the Witch’s spells to enable Hansel to move. When the Witch orders Gretel to follow Hansel into the oven, the girl pretends not to know how and asks the Witch to show her. Leaning into the oven, the Witch falls for the children’s trap: they shove her inside. All of the Witch’s spells are broken, and the children who had been baked to make the gingerbread house return to life. Hansel and Gretel’s courage and bravery are celebrated by the other children. Peter and Gertrude come upon the scene and are happily reunited with Hansel and Gretel. Everybody celebrates the children’s triumph.

Courtesy of LA Opera

“It’s so weird because there’ll be an Onyx joke that he loves something that I actually hate,” Bowser tells us. But most of the Onyx jokes are that he loves something that I also love and maybe feels a bit of shame around loving, or it’s a guilty pleasure. But for Onyx, it can be very much not guilty. It’s different. He’ll be into a band that I think is kind of corny, but then he’ll love The Crow , which I also love. Yeah, so it’s different with every interest of his.”

This power dynamic creates a sense of vulnerability, as the marionette is the unwilling pawn in someone else's twisted game. Overall, the phrase "vile witch marionette" paints a vivid picture of darkness, manipulation, and control. It suggests a malevolent force exerting its power over a helpless victim, adding an element of mystery and intrigue to the narrative..

Reviews for "The Menacing Gaze of the Vile Witch Marionette"

1. Emily - 2/5 - I was really disappointed by "Vile witch marionette". The storyline was confusing and I found it hard to follow along. The characters were also uninteresting and lacked depth. The writing style itself felt disjointed and inconsistent. Overall, I just couldn't connect with the book and it left me feeling unsatisfied.

2. John - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish reading "Vile witch marionette". It was a complete waste of time. The plot was weak, the dialogue was awkward, and the pacing was way off. I found myself forcing through each page, hoping it would get better, but it never did. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.

3. Sarah - 2/5 - "Vile witch marionette" had an intriguing concept, but it was poorly executed. The writing was overly descriptive to the point where it became tedious, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The plot lacked suspense and the climax was underwhelming. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and it didn't live up to my expectations.

4. Michael - 1/5 - I found "Vile witch marionette" to be a complete waste of money. The writing was convoluted and hard to follow. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't bring myself to care about their fates. The pacing was all over the place and it felt like the author was trying too hard to be unique and edgy. I regret purchasing this book and would not recommend it to anyone.

The Dark Allure of the Vile Witch Marionette