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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

LINCOLN CENTER THEATER
ANNOUNCES COMPLETE CAST & CREATIVE TEAM FOR
“AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS”
THE HOLIDAY FAMILY OPERA

COMPOSED BY GIAN CARLO MENOTTI
DIRECTED BY KENNY LEON
STARRING JOYCE DiDONATO

PREVIEWS BEGIN DECEMBER 16^TH
OPENING NIGHT SET FOR DECEMBER 18^TH
24 PERFORMANCES ONLY

HEADSHOTS OF THE COMPLETE CAST CAN BE FOUND HERE

New York, NY (November 25, 2025) – Lincoln Center Theater announced today the complete cast and creative team for the brand-new production of the beloved family opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, the first seasonal family offering in LCT history, presented in association with The Metropolitan Opera. Directed by Tony® Award-winner Kenny Leon, performances begin on December 16^th, with an official opening night set for December 18^th at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 W 65^th Street).

Joining the previously announced multi-GRAMMY® Award winner and Olivier® Award-winning opera star Joyce DiDonato as ‘Amahl’s Mother,’ Amahl and the Night Visitors will also star Albert Rhodes Jr. as ‘Amahl,’ Phillip Boykin as ‘King Balthazar,’ Bernard Holcomb as ‘King Kaspar,’ Todd Thomas as ‘King Melchior,’ Johnathan McCullough as ‘The Page.’

They will be joined by ensemble members Jesse Barrett, Miastasha Gonzalez-Colón, Brian Jeffers, Kathryn McCreary, Manuel Palazzo, Bryanna Strickland, Natalie Trumm, Miguel Ángel Vásquez, Olivia Vote, and Jason Zacher. Offstage understudies include Patrick Bessenbacher, Tynan Davis, Kingston Nahm-Korn, and Madeline Wright.

In the desert lands of the first century, a young boy catches the sight of a giant star. Later that evening, as his mother prays for the family’s future, they are visited by three wondrous kings whose unexpected arrival opens the way for Amahl’s heartfelt generousity to shine as brightly as the star itself. This is the tale of how a simple gift can become a miracle that transforms the world.

To download cast headshots, please click here.

The creative team for Amahl and the Night Visitors includes Steven Osgood (music direction), Derek McLane (set design), Emilio Sosa (costume design), Adam Honoré (lighting design), Marc Salzberg (sound design), Ioana Alfonso (choreography), The Telsey Office, Karyn Casl, CSA and Destiny Lilly, CSA (casting), Melissa Wegner and Brian Speck (Metropolitan Opera Casting Consultants), and Bonnie Panson (stage manager).

Tickets are currently on sale at LCT.org. For special access to ticketing incentives for families, sign up for the Lincoln Center Theater newsletter.

Amahl and the Night Visitors is generously supported by Ellen A. Michelson. Additional support is provided by the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation and The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation. Pianos by Steinway & Sons. Season support is provided by Daryl Roth, Denise Littlefield Sobel, and American Airlines.

BIOGRAPHIES

JESSE BARRETT (Ensemble Tenor 2/Oboist). This California–born oboist-vocalist makes his New York debut after 16 years performing with most San Francisco area ensembles: SF Opera, SF Ballet. He’s also appeared as singer and host for cabaret venues across Northern California, and for organizations like Oakland Symphony, Carmel Bach Festival, and Monterey Jazz Festival. Comfortable across genres, Jesse has shared the stage with greats like Dave Brubeck, Chicago, The Who, Andrea Bocelli, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mannheim Steamroller, and Third Eye Blind.

PATRICK BESSENBACHER (Swing 2, u/s Tenor, u/s Bass). With roles ranging from the Baroque period to the Classical and bel-canto repertoire such as ‘Tonio’ in La Fille du Régiment and ‘Count Almaviva’ in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, to operatic world premiers such as ‘Peter Fagan’ in Carla Lucero’s Touch and ‘Mechtild’ in Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Hildegard, tenor Patrick Bessenbacher’s love for opera stems from a deep respect for the traditions it was built on while continuing to push the genre forward for years to come.

PHILLIP BOYKIN (King Balthazar). Bass-Baritone and graduate of the Hartt School of Music starred as ‘Hades’ in Hadestown on Broadway and made his debut in the West End London. A Grammy Award nominee for the Tony Award–winning CD Once on This Island and a Tony Award nominee for his work as Crown in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. His credits span Broadway, film (Freedom, Top Five, Easter Mysteries) and concert stages worldwide. Visit www.PhillipBoykin.com for more information.

TYNAN DAVIS (Swing 1, u/s Soprano, u/s Mezzo). LCT/Met Opera debut! Broadway Tour: The Phantom of the Opera (Swing, u/s Madame Giry). Grammy Award: Best Opera Recording for Tobias Picker’s Fantastic Mr. Fox (Rita) Television: “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (Florence and the Machine w/Roomful of Teeth). For my mom, Joan, who taught me this opera and to believe in miracles. For Ambrose who made me a mother and Austin who props me up daily. Thx FSE & Telsey! Love you Dad! @thetynandavis

JOYCE DiDONATO (Amahl’s Mother). Winner of multiple Grammy Awards and an Olivier Award, Joyce DiDonato entrances audiences across the globe in recitals, appearances with major orchestras and on the operatic stage. Her 2025-26 season includes season-opening concerts for both the Minnesota Orchestra and Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain, as well as with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in a Kevin Puts’ World Premiere, House of Tomorrow. Joyce returns to Musikkollegium Winterthur for performances of Rachel Portman’s Another Eve, and collaborates with Radio France for Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder in Paris and Dijon. She reunites with pianist Craig Terry for recitals at Théâtre de Genève and Suntory Hall Tokyo.  Joyce embarks on her first major tour of Australasia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tasmania Symphony Orchestra, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In the United States, she makes her Lincoln Center Theater stage debut as The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and makes her much-anticipated role debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Kaija Saariaho’s Innocence. Concert appearances include Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 with Nézet-Séguin and the Berlin Philharmoniker. As Joyce’s latest project, EDEN, completed a ground-breaking 3 years of global touring, the anticipation is only building for her next album release and touring project. A newly commissioned song cycle written by Kevin Puts for Joyce and the Grammy Award-winning string trio, ‘TimeForThree’, featuring the poetry of Emily Dickinson had its world premiere at Bregenzer Festspiele in August 2025, and further performances happen across the USA including Kansas City, Chicago, and New York’s Carnegie Hall.

MIASTASHA GONZALEZ-COLÓN (Ensemble Alto 1) is a Puerto Rican mezzo-soprano from New York City. She has performed with the Bronx Opera in four of their productions, most recently as Dorabella in Cosí fan tutte. This summer she completed her first young artist program with Central City Opera where she joined the ensemble and covered the role of Aisha McNair in The Knock. Miastasha holds Vocal Performance degrees from SUNY Purchase (B.M) and Mannes School of Music (M.M.).

BERNARD HOLCOMB (King Kaspar) is overjoyed to make his Lincoln Center Theater debut. His work spans television and stage, including “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” Once Upon a Mattress (Central City Opera), Sober Songs (Off-Broadway), and performances at Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera. A proud UIA Talent artist, Bernard brings warmth and authenticity to every role. Follow him on Instagram @bernarddamonholcomb.

BRIAN JEFFERS (Ensemble Tenor 1, u/s King Kaspar). Tenor Brian Jeffers recently debuted as the Valet in Viardot’s Cendrillon (Knoxville Opera), Sellem in The Rake’s Progress and Burrowing Mole in The Fantastic Mr. Fox (Opera Omaha), Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd and Lillas Pastia in La Tragédie de Carmen (Chautauqua Opera), Adolpus Hailstork’s Done Made My Vow with the NY Philharmonic (Lincoln Center). Other: Opera Saratoga, On Site Opera, Mostly Mozart Festival, New Amsterdam Opera, Axelrod Performing Arts Center, and City Lyric Opera.

ALBERT RHODES JR. (Amahl) is a talented 12-year-old and a proud Chicago native, and a former Young Simba in Broadway’s The Lion King. Known for his charisma, strong vocals, creative content, and love for storytelling, Albert brings passion, discipline, and bright energy to every stage. Albert continues dedicated training with his vocal coach @maureen_vocalcoach. He is grateful for his family, teachers, and fans for supporting him every step of the way. Follow: @albertrhodesjr. Rep: @langellistm, @ddoaner

KATHRYN McCREARY (Ensemble Soprano 1) is overjoyed to be making her LCT debut during her favorite time of year! National tour: Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q. Off-Broadway favs: Encore’s the NewYorkers (love for sale trio), Rescue Rue (Fairy Dogmother). Regional: Caroline, or Change (moon/radio 1) … Spelling Bee (Rona). Creator of The All’s Well Sisters. Many thanks to ATB. Love to Dewey, Kleo, John.  Allswellsisters.com Kathrynmccreary.com

JOHNATHAN McCULLOUGH (The Page, u/s King Melchior). Baritone Johnathan McCullough was recently nominated for a Grammy Award® (Best Opera Recording) for his adaptation of David T. Little’s Soldier Songs. Last season, Johnathan returned to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for Die Fledermaus (Dr. Falke), Lyric Opera of Kansas City for Il barbiere di Siviglia (Figaro), and Opera Philadelphia for L’amant anonyme (Ophemon). He is an alumni of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and has been a Young Artist at The Glimmerglass Festival, the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and Aspen Music Festival.

KINGSTON NAHM-KORN (u/s Amahl) has been a member of The Metropolitan Opera’s Children’s Chorus since 2023, performing in productions of La Bohème, Carmen, Turandot, Tosca, and The Queen of Spades. He was the 2024 SNY Kid-Caster, announcing part of a NY Mets game on live TV. LGM! Kingston had his first acting role this year in Netflix’s “The Beast in Me”. Thank you for the love and support mom, dad, and Kiara! And thank you to Emcompass Arts. Youtube: Kingston the Kidcaster

MANUEL PALAZZO (Dancer 1). Born in Argentina, Manuel Palazzo studied classical ballet from a young age at the prestigious Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. His career spans modern and classical dance, opera, theatre, film and television, performing globally—including at the Metropolitan Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona and Teatro Real in Madrid. A versatile actor-dancer, he has collaborated with directors such as Sir David McVicar and Robert Lepage, and appeared in films and television shows including “Boardwalk Empire.”

BRYANNA STRICKLAND (Dancer 2). Originally from Haledon, New Jersey, is a malleable performer. She studied at the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College and received a BFA. Since then, she has worked with choreographers such as Jermaine Spivey, Chantelle Good, Carlos Franquiz, and Chelsea Thedinga and more. She also attended Springboard Danse Montreal where she performed repertoire by Maxine Doyle, finding a deeper interest in physical dance theater. She also immerses herself in house and hip-hop forms.

TODD THOMAS (King Melchior) is honored to make his Lincoln Center Theater debut! With an operatic career spanning more than four decades, favorite credits include War and Peace (Metropolitan Opera), Tosca (New York City Opera), Otello (Chicago Lyric) and Rigoletto (Chicago Lyric, Atlanta Opera, Detroit Opera), Flying Dutchman, Simon Boccanegra, La Traviata, Falstaff, Macbeth (Shanghai Opera). Later this season, he’ll debut at The Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. Thanks to Kenny Leon, the LCT Team, Telsey, and UIA.

NATALIE TRUMM (Ensemble Soprano 2). Acclaimed for her shimmering coloratura and winning stage presence, soprano Natalie Trumm is known for her versatility in both musical theater and opera. This past season, Trumm made her Prototype Festival debut as Sissy/Berry in Eat the Document. Recent performances include Nella in Gianni Schicchi and Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly! with the American Gothic Performing Arts Festival. She is an alumna of the Bard College Vocal Arts Program and UW-Stevens Point. @natalietrumm

MIQUEL ÁNGEL VÁSQUEZ (Ensemble Bass 2, u/s King Balthazar). Afro-latino crossover baritone is thrilled to return to Lincoln Center. He was last seen as Leonce in A Bayou Legend at Opera Vermont. Favorite Productions include the world premiere of Stonewall the Opera at Jazz at Lincoln Center with New York City Opera, Watch Night at the Perelman PAC, the Grammy nominated production of X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X with BMOP/Odyssey Opera, and the titular characters in Sweeney Todd and Don Giovanni.

MiguelAngelVasquez.com

OLIVIA VOTE (Ensemble Mezzo, u/s Amahl’s Mother) makes her LCT debut. Recent engagements: 2^nd Lady in Die Zauberflöte and Neris in Medea (The Metropolitan Opera), Mayor’s wife in Jenůfa (The Cleveland Orchestra), and Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier (Lithuanian National Opera). Upcoming engagements: Amneris in Aida (Opera Southwest) and 2^nd Norn in Götterdämmerung (Atlanta Opera). Olivia is honored to join this production and thankful for the support of her family, coaches, and team at UIA. @livvote

MADELINE WRIGHT (u/s Dancer) is a New York City–based dance artist from Toronto, Canada, and a graduate of Point Park University. She has built a dynamic presence in the NYC dance community, most recently originating in Life And Trust, an immersive Off-Broadway production by The Kuperman Brothers. Madeline has performed with numerous contemporary choreographers – including Sonya Tayeh, created original work for stage and film, contributed to major commercial campaigns, and teaches pre-professional and professional dancers across North America.

JASON ZACHER (Ensemble Bass/Baritenor, u/s The Page) couldn’t be more excited to make his Lincoln Center Theater debut! Select theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Atlanta Opera), The Shining (Alliance Theatre), Elizabeth Cree (The Glimmerglass Festival), La Bohème (Atlanta Opera and Portland Opera) as well as multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall. Endless gratitude to my family, friends, and everyone at UIA Talent Agency for their unwavering support! @jason.zacher

GIAN CARLO MENOTTI (Composer). At the age of 7, under the guidance of his mother, he began to compose songs, and four years later he wrote the words and music of his first opera, The Death of Pierrot. In 1923, he began his formal musical training at the Verdi Conservatory in Milan. The Consul, Menotti’s first full-length work, won the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle award as the best musical play of the year in 1954. By far Menotti’s best-known work is the Christmas classic Amahl and the Night Visitors, composed for NBC TV in 1951. In 1984, Menotti was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime achievement in the arts. He was chosen the 1991 “Musician of the Year” by Musical America.

KENNY LEON (Director). Tony Award-winning director. Broadway: Othello; Our Town; HOME; Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch; Topdog/Underdog; Ohio State Murders; A Soldier’s Play; American Son; Children of a Lesser God; Holler If Ya Hear Me; A Raisin in the Sun; The Mountaintop; Stick Fly; August Wilson’s Fences, Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf. Off-Broadway: This World of Tomorrow (The Shed); King James; The Underlying Chris; Everybody’s Ruby; Emergence-See! (The Public); Smart People (Second Stage). Opera: Margaret Garner. Television: Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia; Colin in Black & White; 4400; Amend: The Fight for America; American Son (adapted for Netflix); Hairspray Live!; The Wiz Live!; Steel Magnolias; Dynasty; In My Dreams. Author: Take You Wherever You Go. Artistic Director Emeritus: Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company. Senior Resident Director: Roundabout Theatre Company. Awards: Obie, Actors Fund Medal of Honor, George Abbott Lifetime Achievement for American Theatre, Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre.

DEREK McLANE (Scenic Design). Set designs include: Broadway:  Just In Time, Death Becomes Her, Othello, Purlie Victorious, MJ, Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Tony Award), A Soldier’s Play, The Price, Beautiful, Noises Off, Gigi, 33 Variations (Tony Award), China Doll , How to Succeed in Business, Follies, Anything Goes, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Ragtime, The Pajama Game, I Am My Own Wife. Off-Broadway: Love, Love, Love; Into the Woods; Ruined. Television: 6 years of Academy Awards (Emmy Award), NBC Musicals: The Sound of Music, The Wiz, and Hairspray (Emmy Award). Awards include multiple Tony Awards, Emmy’s, Obie’s, Drama Desks, Lucille Lortel Awards, and Art Directors Guild Awards.

EMILIO SOSA (Costume Design) is one of Broadway’s most distinctive creative forces, a five-time Tony Award–nominated costume designer whose work spans many of the industry’s most celebrated productions. His Broadway credits include Sweeney Todd; A Beautiful Noise; Ain’t No Mo; 1776; On Your Feet!; Motown: The Musical; Porgy and Bess; Topdog/Underdog; Jesus Christ Superstar; Masquerade; and Good Night, Oscar. He is also the first designer of color to create for the Radio City Spring Spectacular and Christmas Show. As former Chair of the American Theatre Wing, Emilio continues to champion access and representation in the arts.

ADAM HONORÉ (Lighting Design) is a Harlem-based designer for the stage. Broadway: Ragtime, Jeff Ross’ Take a Banana for the Ride, Purlie Victorious, Ain’t No Mo’, Chicken & Biscuits. Off-Broadway: Cats: The Jellicle Ball (PAC NYC), Jelly’s Last Jam (Encores!), Carmen Jones (Classic Stage). Regional: Gun & Powder (Paper Mill), Empire Records (McCarter), Trading Places (Alliance). Adam is a Drama Desk nominee and recent recipient of the Obie Awards for Sustained Achievement in Design. @itsadamhonore

MARC SALZBERG (Sound Design). LCT: Camelot (with Beth Lake), Intimate Apparel, My Fair Lady, The Hard Problem, Oslo, Golden Boy, Awake and Sing! (the latter three with Peter John Still). Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof, Mastergate, The Great Society (with Paul James Prendergast). Encores!: I Married an Angel. Off-Broadway: Forever Plaid. Very far Off-Broadway: My Fair Lady (London). As production soundman for LCT: over 30 productions including Contact, The Light in the Piazza, The Coast of Utopia, South Pacific, War Horse, The Heiress, Falsettos.

STEVEN OSGOOD (Music Direction). World Premieres include: Intimate Apparel (Lincoln Center Theater), The Rising World (Seoul Arts Center), Breaking the Waves (Opera Philadelphia), JFK (Fort Worth Opera), Blood Moon, Thumbprint, The Scarlett Ibis, Sumeida’s Song (Prototype Festival); As One (American Opera Projects), The Long Walk (Opera Saratoga), The Flood (Opera Columbus), Song From the Uproar (Beth Morrison Productions), Little Nemo in Slumberland (Sarasota Opera), Peony Pavilion (Vienna Festival), Patience and Sarah (Lincoln Center Festival), Oresteia (Miller Theater), General and Artistic Director, Chautauqua Opera Company (since 2015): World Premieres A.E. Reverie, Love, Loss and the Century Upon Us. Conductor: The Metropolitan Opera: Dead Man Walking, Grounded. www.srosgood.com

IOANA ALFONSO (Choreography). Associate Director (Broadway): Othello (starring Denzel Washington/Jake Gyllenhaal), Purlie Victorious, Topdog/Underderdog, American Son, Kiss of the Spiderwoman (wkshp), plus NBC’s Hairspray Live! and The Wiz Live!. Associate Choreographer (Broadway): Holler…Hear Me, Bare, and multiple projects with Mia Michaels. As an actor: Dancin’ (OBC Revival), Wicked (OBC), 9 to 5 (OBC), and appearances on “Orange Is the New Black,” “Broad City,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Smash,” “The Big C,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” In the Heights, Across the Universe, etc. Recent: created a solo for NYCB’s Tiler Peck with Black Thought, directed Culture Shock and is shooting a recurring role on a television series (AMC). Proud co-producer of Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway.

ABOUT LINCOLN CENTER THEATER

LCT’s mission is to bring exceptional theater to life. Building on a legacy of artistic excellence, LCT strives to expand what is possible: to make the magic of theatre more palpable, empowering visionary artists and extending the invitation for the community to join in celebrating the power of live performance. To see that mission to fruition in a new era at the New York institution, commencing with the current 2025-2026 season, Lear deBessonet assumes the role of Kewsong Lee Artistic Director, alongside Managing Director Mike Schleifer, Executive Producer Barlett Sher, Stacey and Eric Mindich Producer Nicole Kastrinos, Executive Director of Development and Planning Naomi Grabel, and LCT3 Artistic Director and Producer Maria Manuela Goyanes.

Following the season launch on July 30, 2025 with the free Silent Disco Listening Party of the Warriors concept album by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, deBessonet opened her inaugural season at the Vivian Beaumont Theater with a new production of her celebrated New York City Center Gala revival of Ragtime, the American premiere of the 2025 Oliver Award-nominated play Kyoto at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, and The Comedy Series with LCT3 at the Claire Tow Theater. The season also includes upcoming productions of Amahl and the Night Visitors and The Whoopi Monologues at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater; Night Side Songs, A Woman Among Women and The Reading Series with LCT3 at the Claire Tow Theater; as well as one special spring gala benefit at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.

Founded in 1985 by Board Chair Hon. John V. Lindsay, Executive Producer Bernie Gersten and Director Gregory Mosher, and led for 33 years by André Bishop, LCT is one of the leading nonprofit theaters in the country, producing an annual season of plays and musicals that have been seen by millions around the globe. It is one of 11 autonomous constituents of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Each year, the three theaters that make up LCT welcome nearly 300,000 audience members to its home on the Lincoln Center campus.

Over the last 40 years, LCT and its outstanding productions have received many of the highest accolades, including 87 Tony Awards, 97 Drama Desk Awards, 79 Outer Critics Cricle Awards, 33 Obies, 11 NY Drama Critics Circle Awards, and one Pulitzer Prize, as well as two finalists.

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