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REBECCA HALE
Reverb Editor
The word in the halls of Rockefeller is that this year The Hillman Opera will be an English-adapted version of Franz Lehar’s “The Merry Widow,” a lighthearted and comic operetta. With the help of over 100 instrumentalists, vocalists and technicians, the production will open this weekend in Marvel Theatre.
“The Merry Widow” is chock-full of cheeky humor reminiscent of Shakespeare’s use of comic relief through romantic mix-ups and other antics. The story of the young and beautiful Hanna Glawari — recently widowed and in possession of her late husband’s fortune, which is sought after by all the other men in the fictional country of Pontevedro — is played by senior Lucy Horn.
“This is a traditional love-lost, love-regained story that has also the added complication of a second love relationship happening simultaneously,” said Julie Newell, producer of the Hillman Opera and a Fredonia alumnae.
Originally written in German, this updated version is a libretto adapted to English by Jeremy Sams in 2000. Sams continues to make his libretto more contemporary, and the most recent version bragged sold-out audiences at the Metropolitan Opera last season.
The operetta takes place in 19th-century France and, consequently, involves extravagant dresses and costumes fit for the era. Over 80 costumes are being rented from three different venues for The Hillman, with oversight from Fredonia graduate Janie Villela-Sharon and students Paige Jones and Hall O’Rama. The cast will be decked out in tight bodices, billowing skirts and petticoats for the ladies, and tails for the gentlemen.
Flowing skirts and suits with tails simply begs dancing — so naturally, “The Merry Widow” will feature plenty of dancing by some of Fredonia’s finest dance students, including waltzes, folk dances, splits, lifts and even a troupe of risqué can-can dancers.
The set will be simple, but classic, featuring large, beautiful pillars, greenery, a few props and extensive lighting design by senior Evan Kicman. Some may recognize the pillars being used as those from one of the Mainstage productions last year.
“I fell madly in love with the Midsummer Night’s Dream set from last year,” explained Newell. Newell is a firm believer in the recycling of set pieces, so she decided that the massive pillars would prove perfect for “The Merry Widow.”
In the midst of the men’s pursuit of Hanna, it is suggested that she marry Count Danilo Danilovitsch, played by Michael Hawk, who is later revealed to be Hanna’s former lover. The two had wanted to marry, but were forbidden by their families — it seems like Lehar and Shakespeare shared a lot of common ideas and tactics. Still, it couldn’t be that easy — chaos ensues as the two lovers play hard to get.
Meanwhile, various other affairs occur simultaneously, specifically between Baron Mirko Zeta’s wife, Valencienne, and Count Camille de Rosillon. Hilarious scenes follow, featuring the fan of Valencienne, on which Camille has written, “I love you.” The fan then falls into possession of her husband, who is ignorant to the fact that it is Valencienne’s. Again, chaos ensues; a game of Hot Potato for Valencienne’s fan is the result.
The musical score of “The Merry Widow” is both complex and uplifting. Directed by Dr. David Rudge, the Fredonia Opera Orchestra will be creating a musical masterpiece from below the stage. Some of the songs within the operetta may even seem familiar to the ear of non opera-goers, such as “Vilja Song,” “You’ll Find Me at Maxim’s,” and“Merry Widow Waltz.”
Newell said that “the opera is ripe with huge vocal choruses and exceptional dancing … [it’s] just one exciting scene after exciting scene [which] are held together by famous arias and tunes that people might not know the name of, but that they recognize.
Newell joked that the opera could make for an entertaining evening, a great date and even a way to impress said date. Still, in all seriousness, she described the Hillman as “an opportunity to see the most complex performance form in motion, done with your own peers.”
“I truly believe that the history of the opera is something that distinguishes Fredonia’s uniqueness,” Newell said.
“The Merry Widow” will play Nov. 13-14 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. in Marvel Theatre. Tickets are $10 for students and $25 for general admission, and can be obtained through the Fredonia Ticket Office.