Jewish Academy Graduate Returns to Direct at Detroit Opera House

After five years of study and work at Harvard University, Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit alum Michael Yashinsky has moved back home to direct a children's opera at the Detroit Opera House.

The Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus performs The Happy Prince on Sunday, April 28, at 2:30 p.m. Musical director is Livonia resident Dianna Hochella.

Three West Bloomfield students are also involved in the production:

• Ameerah Shakoor, 17, plays Author
• Miles Eichenhorn, 13, plays Mayor and is the Prince understudy
• Edward Eichenhorn, 9, is in Chorus of Angels

The opera, which is based on an Oscar Wilde story, is set in an unnamed city enduring the pangs of poverty and class struggle. According to Yashinsky, within the city, "a few noble souls take it upon themselves to effect real good and undertake acts of self-sacrificing loving-kindess".

The setting reflects the similarities between Wilde's imagined city and Detroit, he said. More than 70 actors ages 8 to 16 will play young people in Detroit, and the set features photographs of the Detroit skyline and local graffiti as the backdrop.

"In other words, it will be a sort of urban fairy tale, designed to delight, to move, and—especially for the maturer souls in the audience—to raise important questions on the present and future of our city," said Yashinsky, who also attended Forest Elementary and Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills.

Tickets for the April 28 performance are $30 for adults and $15 for children. To purchase tickets, visit michiganopera.org or call 313-237-SING. 

Tickets for an April 26, 11 a.m., dress rehearsal are $25 for adults and $15 for children, and may only be purchased at the box office that day. For discounted student or senior group tickets, contact Megan Warzecha atmwarzecha@motopera.org or call 248-914-1966.