Orpheus in the Underworld

Great Lakes Operetta presents presents its first full-length, fully-staged operetta, Jacques Offenbach’s seminal work, "Orpheus in the Underworld." Originally premiering as "Orphée aux enfers," this musical spoof of the Orpheus myth was the "Hadestown" of 1858’s Paris and had a cultural impact comparable to "Hamilton" or "The Phantom of the Opera." The original book was written in part by Ludovic Halévy (of "Carmen" fame) and the score introduced the now world-famous “can-can” (known in the show as the “Infernal Gallop”). The show is raucous, wacky, and surprisingly modern, and the score is one of Offenbach’s best, ensuring its continued popularity. It is considered the first operetta and was the prototype for modern musical theater.
Great Lakes Operetta’s production will premiere a new English translation by Francis Lynch, who also re-orchestrated the score for a small chamber ensemble. The production features two casts (with alternating performance dates), and is directed by GLO Artistic Director SarahAnn Sutter, music directed by Lindsey Baer, assistant music directed by Anna Therese George, and produced by Kristin W**d. The production will be fully staged and presented at the beautiful and accessible Bramble Arts Loft in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. For more information about the show, the venue, the cast, and the creative team, visit greatlakesoperetta.com/orpheus.
Friday, July 10 & 17: 7 p.m. curtain
Saturday, July 11: 2 p.m. curtain
Saturday, July 18: 7 p.m. curtain
Sunday, July 12 & 19: 2 p.m. curtain
CAST:
- Orpheus: Mason Montuoro (All dates)
- Eurydice: Gabrielle Goudard (July 11, 17, 19); Gabrielle Haigh (July 10, 12, 18)
- Public Opinion: Jennifer Barrett (July 11, 17, 19); Isabella Daltoso (July 10, 12, 18)
- John Styx: Solamada Pando Girard (All dates)
- Pluto: Jonathon Joseph Larson (July 11, 17, 19); Sasha Tomasevich (July 10, 12, 18)
- Jupiter: Alexander Quackenbush (All dates)
- Diana: Halle Rosemond (July 11, 17, 19); Catherine Larson (July 10, 12, 18)
- Cupid: Hillary Esqueda (July 11, 17, 19); Abigail Greer Arcomona (July 10, 12, 18)
- Venus: Alexandra Kassouf (July 11, 17, 19); Val Beck (July 10, 12, 18)
- Mercury: Kristin W**d (July 11, 17, 19); Kelly Killorin (July 10, 12, 18)
- Minerva: Allison Mann (July 10, 11, 12); Eugenia Bouboudakis (July 17, 18, 19);
- Juno: Katarina Bakas (All dates)
- Mars: Jonathan Rodney (All dates)
- Bacchus: Lucas Gassmann (All dates)
- Vesta: Solamada Pando Girard (All dates)
CREATIVE TEAM:
- English Translation & Orchestration (World Premiere): Francis Lynch
- Producer: Kristin W**d
- Stage Director/Choreographer: SarahAnn Sutter
- Music Director: Lindsey Baer
- Assistant Music Director: Anna Therese George
- Collaborative Pianist: Sarah Jenks
- Flutist: Emily Heuck
- Clarinetist: Peter Ji
- Violinist: Luis Vallecillos
- Stage Manager: Chiron Finn
- Production Assistant: Isabel Schmitz
- Lighting Designer: Henry Toohey
- Costume Designers: SarahAnn Sutter, Jack W. Ellis
- Costume Coordinator: Aliyah Necaise
- Wardrobe Mistress: Cecile Sutter
- Production Design: Eugenia Bouboudakis, Jennifer King Russell, Kristin W**d, SarahAnn Sutter