The Vancouver Opera season opens with Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for just three more performances, October 31st, November 2nd and 3rd. The comic operetta is the perfect opening to the celebratory 65th Anniversary Season, kicking things off with a witty, charming, and upbeat romp.
From the moment of entering the theatre as costumes and posters from seasons past take the audience on a trip down memory lane to the performers comical opening overture, we know we are in for a uniquely entertaining evening.
Ashlie Corcoran, returns to direct her second season opener in a row, after last season’s Magic Flute, and as the curtain rises, Die Fledermaus continues to the trip to the past. Set Designer Julie Lévesque and Costume Designer Émily Wahlman emulate the mid-century modern design popular when Vancouver Opera was founded in the Sixties. With the hijinx, deception, romantic entanglements, comedy and champagne reminiscent of a sixties rom-com, we only needed Tony Randall to pop-up as a ‘best friend’. Adapting the dialogue of the operetta, Mark Crawford has crafted and updated witty script that goes hand-in-hand with the sets and costumes.
The incredible principal cast includes Lara Ciekiewicz (as Rosalinde), Mireille Lebel (as Prince Orlofsky), Owen McCausland (as Alfred), Peter Barrett (as Dr Falke) and Giles Tomkins (as Frank). Joining these returning players, Claire De Sévigné (as Adele) and John Chest (as von Eisenstein) make their company debuts. Despites some technical sound issues, the power of the whole company resounds throughout the auditorium as they are joined by members of the Vancouver Opera Chorus and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, lead by Conductor Jacques Lacombe. The energy becomes electric as the full company gathers onstage for the rousing party scenes, with choreography by Shelley Stewart Hunt. While you are drawn to the principals’ captivating performances, keep your eye out for fun pop-culture references throughout the ensemble’s characters. From comic book heroes, to TV & movies icons of the Fifties & Sixties, or a pair of dueling Marilyns that look ripped from the set of SMASH, Die Fledermaus offers so much to keep the audience entertained, you won’t want to miss it.
Vancouver Opera’s Die Fledermaus is onstage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre October 31 at 7:30pm, November 2 at 7:30pm and November 3 at 2pm. Visit vancouveropera.ca for more details and tickets
Note: The performance dialogue is spoken in English, with songs in German with English surtitles