'Die Fledermaus' meets DePauw in 'DeBat' Feb. 7-10

Wednesday, February 6, 2013
DePauw Opera's production of "DeBat," a 21st-century adaptation of Strauss's famous operetta "Die Fledermaus," set in Greencastle, runs for four performances, Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 7-10, at the Green Center ro Performing Arts on the DPU campus.

Twenty-five years ago a practical joke was played. Dr. Falke has had more than two decades to plan his revenge ... and now the time is ripe.

Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 7--10 is payback time at DePauw University's Green Center for the Performing Arts as the School of Music presents "DeBat," a 21st-century adaptation of Strauss' famous operetta, "Die Fledermaus"

Setting Johan Strauss's famous Viennese operetta "Die Fledermaus" in the present at DePauw -- not at all coincidentally on the occasion of the university's 175th anniversary -- was originally suggested by music director Orcenith Smith, who will conduct the four performances of the 2013 DePauw Opera production.

Joachim Schamberger, guest stage director from New York, then adeptly set about preparing the adaptation of the story and the dialog --replete with party scenes in the Green Center Great Hall, the requisite joke played at the boulder, and the subsequent trip to the Putnam County Courthouse.

Twenty-five years ago a practical joke was played. Dr. Falke has had more than two decades to plan his revenge ... and now the time is ripe.

Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 7--10 is payback time at DePauw University's Green Center for the Performing Arts as the School of Music presents "DeBat," a 21st-century adaptation of Strauss' famous operetta, "Die Fledermaus"

Setting Johan Strauss's famous Viennese operetta "Die Fledermaus" in the present at DePauw -- not at all coincidentally on the occasion of the university's 175th anniversary -- was originally suggested by music director Orcenith Smith, who will conduct the four performances of the 2013 DePauw Opera production.

Joachim Schamberger, guest stage director from New York, then adeptly set about preparing the adaptation of the story and the dialog --replete with party scenes in the Green Center Great Hall, the requisite joke played at the boulder, and the subsequent trip to the Putnam County Courthouse.

The two-hour performance, which contains some of the most recognizable tunes in all of opera, was both produced and directed by Schamberger. It begins with a flashback to the 150th anniversary of the founding of DePauw, 25 years ago, then flashes back again to the present.

"I began working on the project last June while I was in China," the director said regarding the evolution of the idea. "As soon as I'm confirmed for a project, I go to work on it right away. My mind was so full of ideas late one night that I couldn't sleep, and this is the direction my imagination has taken."

A native of Germany with nearly 20 years experience in opera production, the director estimates about six months of preparation time went into planning and designing the DePauw Winter Term project, which the cast has been rehearsing for the past five weeks.

The fully-staged, double-cast production will be performed in English with full orchestra.

The part of Rosalinda -- leading "lady of the house" -- will be sung on alternate nights by sopranos Emily Barnash (Thurs/Sat) and Elisa Sunshine (Fri/Sun). Sopranos Emily Smith (Thurs/Sat) and Steph-anie Sharlow (Fri/Sun) share the role of the spirited Adele, and baritones Erik Erlandson (Thurs/Sat) and Blake Lampton (Fri/Sun) will sing the part of the ill-fated Falke.

Tickets to the DePauw Opera production in the Green Center's Moore Theatre can be purchased at www.depauw.-edu/music/tickets. General admission is $5 in advance and $7 the day of the performance.

Thursday through Saturday night performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with the Sunday, Feb. 10 matinee starting at 2 p.m. Tickets for children 12 and younger, all students and seniors over 65 are admitted free.

For additional information or assistance, stop by the GCPA box office located on the ground floor of the Green Center at 605 S. College Ave. or call 658-4817. "I began working on the project last June while I was in China," the director said regarding the evolution of the idea. "As soon as I'm confirmed for a project, I go to work on it right away. My mind was so full of ideas late one night that I couldn't sleep, and this is the direction my imagination has taken."

A native of Germany with nearly 20 years experience in opera production, the director estimates about six months of preparation time went into planning and designing the DePauw Winter Term project, which the cast has been rehearsing for the past five weeks.

The fully-staged, double-cast production will be performed in English with full orchestra.

The part of Rosalinda -- leading "lady of the house" -- will be sung on alternate nights by sopranos Emily Barnash (Thurs/Sat) and Elisa Sunshine (Fri/Sun). Sopranos Emily Smith (Thurs/Sat) and Stephanie Sharlow (Fri/Sun) share the role of the spirited Adele, and baritones Erik Erlandson (Thurs/Sat) and Blake Lampton (Fri/Sun) will sing the part of the ill-fated Falke.

Tickets to the DePauw Opera production in the Green Center's Moore Theatre can be purchased at www.depauw.edu/music/tickets. General admission is $5 in advance and $7 the day of the performance.

Thursday through Saturday night performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with the Sunday, Feb. 10 matinee starting at 2 p.m. Tickets for children 12 and younger, all students and seniors over 65 are admitted free.

For additional information or assistance, stop by the GCPA box office located on the ground floor of the Green Center at 605 S. College Ave. or call 658-4817.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: