In accordance with the Unversity-wide measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this production has been canceled. Ticketholders will receive more communication soon.

an operetta by Johann Strauss II
Directed by Grant Preisser, University Opera Theatre
Conducted by Kirk Severtson, University Philharmonia Orchestra

Scheming and devious plans run amuck to culminate in a hilarious comeuppance in this re-imagined, gender-bent take on Strauss's light-hearted comedy filled with lush Viennese waltzes. Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome to ... The Fledermaus--Berlin’s hottest cabaret! It’s New Year’s Eve 1932, and Orlofsky’s club is preparing for its annual blow-out celebration. However, more is afoot this year than usual as Orlofsky and Rosalinde, the headline singer of the cabaret, scheme to out Rosalinde’s playboy and apparently bi-sexual husband, Gabriel von Eisenstein. With the aid of Eisenstein’s friend Dr. Falke, Rosalinde feigns an illness, clearing the path for Eisenstein to attend the party and indulge in his proclivities without his wife present. Unbeknownst to Eisenstein, Rosalinde does, in fact, attend-in full male drag-with the aim to seduce her husband and confirm the rumors of his broadening predilections. Of course, things never go quite as planned, and as the party rages on, champagne flows, secrets are revealed, and disguises come off, leading to a lesson for some and a happy reconciliation for all.

Full of pranks, disguises, and overall merriment, Die Fledermaus is Johann Strauss II’s most loved operetta, featuring the Hungarian “Csardas,” and Orlofsky’s “Toast to Champagne.” This updated take explores themes of sexuality and gender identification, as present in the 1930s as they are today. This production will be sung in German with dialogue in English and German and projected English translations.