THE ESSENTIAL A&E PICKS FOR JAN 16 - 22 

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Utah Opera: Humperdinck's Hansel & Gretel
When people think about the classics of the opera canon, they understandably think first about the classic tragedies of Verdi and Puccini—masterpieces of love and death like Aïda, La traviata, La bohème and Madama Butterfly with soaring, instantly-recognizable arias. So it might be surprising for folks to learn that none of those classics hold the distinction of the most frequently performed opera in the nearly-50-year history of Utah Opera. Instead, that honor belongs to Hansel & Gretel, the 1893 work by German composer Engelbert Humperdinck (not the 20th-century British-born pop singer of the same name) which was suggested to the composer by his sister, who wrote the libretto.

It's understandable, though, that the story adapted from the well-known Grimm brothers fairy tale—about siblings encountering a witch in a dark forest—might be a popular one in family-friendly Utah. It has also served as a regular opportunity for Utah Opera to collaborate with the Madeleine Choir School. "It's about coming of age, greed, and, perhaps, is the first 'stranger danger' story in opera," says Christopher McBeth, Utah Opera Artistic Director. "It's wonderful to bring this piece to our stage again, and we'll also be incorporating The Madeleine Choir School—their students are incredible budding artists and it's a privilege to partner with them again."

Utah Opera's production of Humperdinck's Hansel & Gretel comes to the Capitol Theatre (50 W. 200 South) for five performances only: Jan. 18 & Jan. 24 @ 7:30 p.m., Jan. 20 & Jan. 22 @ 7 p.m., and Jan. 26 @ 2 p.m. Tickets start at $18 at saltlakecountyarts.org. (Scott Renshaw)

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MLK Day activities
It took a little extra time for Utah to finally recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day after its first celebration in 1986—well, a fairly dispiriting 14 extra years, to be precise. But the federal and state holiday is now one which allows folks all over the country to celebrate the life and legacy of the pioneering civil rights leader. Several opportunities to mark the occasion are offered in Utah.

The University of Utah honors MLK, Jr. with a full week of dedicated activities, beginning with a day of service on Saturday, Jan. 18 gathering at the Union Building. On MLK Day itself, Monday, Jan. 20, a march and rally begins at 2:30 p.m. at Kingsbury Hall leading up to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, featuring guest speakers. On Wednesday, Jan. 22 at noon, award-winning social justice leader and organizer Da'ud Mumin delivers the Visionary Voices Keynote Address at Marriott Library's Gould Auditorium; a performance of Repertory Dance Theatre's I Am ... follows at 2 p.m. at the Marriott School of Dance. Additional activities include a community thrift market and interfaith panel; visit mlkweek.utah.edu for full schedule, maps and additional information.

Also on Monday, Jan. 20, Thanksgiving Point in Lehi (3003 N. Thanksgiving Way) hosts a day of service in partnership with the Five.12 Foundation. Guests at the Butterfly Biosphere can participate in assembling food kits for at-risk students and families in the community. The event begins at 9 a.m. and runs until noon, free to the public (admission to attractions not included). Visit thanksgivingpoint.org for additional information. (SR)

• Julieta Cervantes

Broadway at the Eccles: The Book of Mormon
Technically, of course, it isn't true that the 2011 musical The Book of Mormon is "our" musical—the possessive being one that could apply to Latter-day Saint faithful, Latter-day Saint unfaithful, Salt Lakers or Utahns in general. The show was a Broadway smash and winner of nine Tony Awards, in addition to playing successfully in productions around the world, so it's clear that its themes and its twisted, satirical sense of humor travel well.

Still, it's undeniable that there's something special that happens when the story plays locally, as it first did back in 2015. As created by the South Park team of Trey Parker & Matt Stone and composer Robert Lopez (Frozen, Avenue Q), it's the tale of two white Mormon missionaries in Africa, and what they learn when their faith bumps up against a culture with its own unique challenges and traditions. Locals are certainly likely to get a particular kick out of musical numbers like the paean to repressed desire "Turn It Off," or the pitchfork-wielding devils and dancing coffee cups of "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream." And let's face it: Living here can only provide more delight to the ballad a Ugandan LDS convert sings when she imagines the wonders that await in the home base of the faith that she calls "Sal Tlay Ka Siti."

The latest touring production of The Book of Mormon comes to Broadway at the Eccles (131 S. Main St.) Jan. 21 – 26 for eight performances only. Tickets are $119 - $279; visit saltlakecountyarts.org to purchase tickets or for additional event information. (SR)