Orpheus in the Underworld

Great Lakes Operetta 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.
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.
Fridays/Saturdays: 7pm curtain
Sundays: 2pm curtain
Roman Cast: July 10, 12, 18
Greco Cast: July 11, 17, 19
CAST:
- Orpheus: Mason Montuoro (Greco/Roman Casts)
- Eurydice: Gabrielle Goudard (Greco Cast); Gabrielle Haigh (Roman Cast)
- Public Opinion: Jennifer Barrett (Greco Cast); Isabella Daltoso (Roman Cast)
- John Styx: Solamada Pando Girard (Greco/Roman Casts)
- Pluto: Jonathon Joseph Larson (Greco Cast); Sasha Tomasevich (Roman Cast)
- Jupiter: Alexander Quackenbush (Greco/Roman Casts)
- Diana: Halle Rosemond (Greco Cast); Catherine Larson (Roman Cast)
- Cupid: Hillary Esqueda (Greco Cast); Abigail Greer Arcomona (Roman Cast)
- Venus: Alexandra Kassouf (Greco Cast); Val Beck (Roman Cast)
- Mercury: Kristin W**d (Greco Cast); Kelly Killorin (Roman Cast)
- Minerva: Eugenia Bouboudakis (Greco Cast); Allison Mann (Roman Cast)
- Juno: Katarina Bakas (Greco/Roman Casts)
- Mars: Jonathan Rodney (Greco/Roman Casts)
- Bacchus: Lucas Gassmann (Greco/Roman Casts)
- Vesta: Solamada Pando Girard (Greco/Roman Casts)
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
- 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