"Die Fledermaus" (the bat) is one of the most popular operettas in the world and will be performed Jan. 16-19 in the Sorensen Center Ragan Theatre at Utah Valley University.

 

Composed by Johann Strauss, the comical story of Die Fledermaus tells of the revenge taken by a certain Dr. Falke on Gabriel von Eisenstein for playing a prank on him. 

 

The production will feature a brand-new English translation by Anthony Buck, which leans into the humor of the story by using modern language and period charm.

 

The space and design is done by student set designer, Maddy Ashton and a live orchestra will be on stage with the performers.

 

The cast includes tenors Daniel Perez and Samuel Plumb, both of whom won first place in their categories at the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition.

 

While developing the show for a modern audience, director and assistant professor Isaac Hurtado said it was easy to liken the story to today's world.

 

“Our setting of this show is centered on relationships and characters that seem to transcend time and place,” said Hurtado. “For example, one of the leading characters is a man whose personality and behaviors resemble the current president of the United States, and several of the other leads resemble the people in and around the White House. While we make no reference to any of that in the show, some of the creative vision for our production draws on examples of real individuals in our modern society. This helped our students create characters that they could understand and believe.”

 

Come and see for yourself the tomfoolery that unfolds between Dr. Falke and Gabriel von Eisenstein during this limited engagement.

 

Jan. 16-19, 7:30 p.m. in the Sorensen Center Ragan Theatre.

 

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University Marketing &Communications

 

Scott Trotter

801-863-6807 | [email protected]

Barb Smith

801-863-5274 | [email protected]

 

 

About Utah Valley University

 

At 39,931 students and growing, Utah Valley University is the largest public university in the state of Utah, and one of a few in the nation offering a dual-mission model that combines the rigor and richness of a first-rate teaching university with the openness and vocational programs of a community college. UVU’s unique model, which focuses on student success, engaged learning, rigorous academic programs, and faculty-mentored research, is transforming higher education by making it more affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds.