Claudia Zahn, right, UW’s new opera director and an assistant professor of music, offers advice to children in the chorus of Hansel and Gretel and the witch (played by Jennifer Trimboli) as they prepare for the opera’s opening at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Meany Theater. Engelbert Humperdinck’s 1893 opera, a joint production of the schools of music and drama, also will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. Zahn has moved the story from Germany to America, close to the time when the opera was composed. Hansel and Gretel are children of first generation German immigrants and the fairy tale takes on a realistic edge to appeal to children and adults. “Hansel and Gretel don’t have to be likeable all the time,” Zahn says. “They have a major sibling rivalry going on, but they need each other to survive.” The witch, a baker at the Nibble & Co. candy factory, is frightening, but also funny. The set, which moves from a sepia-toned tenement to a colorful forest is Aaron Nather’s thesis project. Nather and other design team members, Kristen Hubbard (costumes) and Miki Takahasi (lighting), are graduate students in the UW School of Drama’s Design Program. The performance is under the musical direction of conductor Peter Eros. Tickets are $14, general admission, and $8, students and seniors, and are available by calling (206) 543-4880. For every two cans of food brought to a Northwest Harvest volunteer at Meany Theater patrons will obtain a voucher for $2 off a ticket to the performance.

From left, Jim Mercer, Robert Spindel, Bruce Howe and Brian Dushaw.

Wilbur Anderson

Chris Diorio

Richard Veith

Educational Technology Showcase—Seventeen exhibitors, most from health sciences units, demonstrated programs and services at the Second Annual Showcase of Innovative Educational Technology, held last month in South Campus Center. The event was sponsored by the IAIMS Program, based at the Health Sciences Library. Photo by Jordan Rehm.

Dentistry drills some pumpkins—The School of Dentistry’s Staff Recognition Committee organized a pumpkin carving contest this year. There were 14 pumpkins entered and nearly 100 participants in the voting. The winning pumpkin is the one with sunglasses (it also had flashing eyes) and a dental dam; the little pumpkin to its right has a set of pumpkin-seed teeth. Photo by Jordan Rehm.

Photos identified by number may be ordered from uphoto@u.washington.edu.