GRAND RAPIDS – Opera Grand Rapids' production of "The Magic Flute" is jam-packed with West Michigan performers.

Guest singers who have appeared throughout the world are part of the production Friday and Saturday in DeVos Performance Hall.

But plenty of local singers are featured in supporting roles in Opera Grand Rapids' "The Magic Flute."

Tenor Kyle Stevens, a recent graduate of Western Michigan University, appears as Monostatos.

Soprano Kathryn Stieler, an associate professor of music at Grand Valley State University, is the First Lady.

Soprano Sara Emerson, a 2006 graduate of the University of Michigan, is the Second Lady.

Mezzo soprano Heather Marie Benson, a Hope College student, sings the role of the Third Lady.

OPERA GRAND RAPIDS "The Magic Flute"

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW

Tickets: $20-$94; Remaining tickets are half price for studens and seniors at the box office on the day of the show only.

Call: Opera Grand Rapids at 451-2741 or Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787

Soprano Lily Guerrero, winner of Opera Grand Rapids 2010 Collegiate Vocal Competition, and a current Hope College student, sings the role of Papageno's girlfriend, Papagena.

Local singer Hank Ottens appears in several supporting roles including as Speaker of the Temple.

Characters fantastic and hilarious appear in Mozart's adventure. But the romance between young lovers and the eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil have made the fantasy tale an enduring audience favorite.

Composed as a Singspiel -- an opera with spoken dialog between arias, the form of “The Magic Flute” resembles the modern American musical.

The production will have spoken dialog in English. Arias will be sung in German with projected titles in English.

This weekend's production of “The Magic Flute,” part of Opera Grand Rapids' 44th season, is only the fourth production of Mozart's final work for the stage in the company's history.

The company debuted in 1967 with Mozart's “The Marriage of Figaro,” but Opera Grand Rapids didn't attempt to mount “The Magic Flute” until the end of its 1984-85 season.

The most recent production was exactly 10 years ago in February 2002.

This weekend's production stars singers who have been here in the past, including tenor Norman Shankle as Tamino and soprano Sarah Jan McMahon as Pamina. Both starred in the company's production of Mozart's “Cosi fan tutte” in October 2009.

Bass Kevin Burdette, as the comical Papageno, last sang here in the title role in Opera Grand Rapids' production of “The Marriage of Figaro” in May 2003.

The production also stars coloratura soprano Emily Hindrichs as the evil Queen of the Night and bass Tom McNichols as Sarastro.

E-mail Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk: jkaczmarczyk@grpress.com