Spotlight: Orpheus in the Underworld
Opening Friday, July 10th, Great Lakes Operetta's Orpheus in the Underworld is an irreverent delight for those with an academic interest in operetta. This rarely-produced piece has a lot going for it in the realm of subject-matter curiosities... Francis Lynch's brand new English translation, the masterful resetting of the full score for a chamber orchestra, some wonderful, fourth-wall breaking metahumor from hundreds of years ago, and the discovery, "oh, that's where the can-can came from." GLO has created an evening of operetta where you can tell everyone onstage is having an absolute blast, and you will too.
You'll like this if:
- You're a bit of an opera/operetta nerd
- You've got young ones whom you would like to take to the theatre (do note there's some discussion of Hell)
- You have a soft spot for Greco-Roman classics
- You prefer said classics on the sillier side
Orpheus in the Underworld
Great Lakes Operetta
July 10, 17, 18 – 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
July 11, 12, 19 – 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Bramble Arts Loft
5545 N Clark St 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60640
Great Lakes Operetta (GLO) 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 “cancan” (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. GLO’s production will premiere a new English translation by Francis Lynch, who also re-orchestrated the score for a small chamber ensemble.
General admission tickets for adults are $38, with discounted rates for children, students, and seniors. Tickets are on sale now – visit https://greatlakesoperetta.com/orpheus/ and use discount code STOREFRONTOPERA for $5 off adult and senior/student tickets.
