FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (4/05)
Contact: Hurley School of Music, 318-869-5235, or Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service, 318-869-5120

Centenary College's Hurley School of Music Opera Workshop to Present Die Fledermaus on April 24

SHREVEPORT, LA – On Sunday, April 24 at 2 p.m., Centenary College’s Opera Workshop will present Act Two of Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss.

Die Fledermaus is a comedy set in late-19th century Vienna. Prominent citizen Gabriel Eisenstein is about to serve several weeks in jail for disorderly conduct. As a last fling before entering jail, Eisenstein agrees to attend an all-night party at the house of the eccentric Prince Orlovsky. He does not tell his wife that he plans to go the party before reporting to jail.

Eisenstein’s best friend, Dr. Falke, delivered the party invitation, telling Eisenstein that it would be one of the wildest parties of the year. Unbeknownst to Eisenstein, Falke has arranged for several other people, among them the warden of the prison and Eisenstein’s own wife, to be at the party as well. Falke is planning revenge on Eisenstein for a practical joke Eisenstein had played on him several months earlier.

Witnessed by all, Eisenstein makes a fool of himself at the party, and Falke’s revenge is well under way. Tenor Codey Whitt will sing the role of Gabriel Eisenstein, his wife Rosalinda is soprano Sarah Kate Ross, and baritone Billie Harland is Dr. Falke. Amy Williams plays the androgynous Prince Orlovsky, Nancy Carey is Rosalinda’s maid Adele, and Marcus Jauregui is the prison warden Frank. Marie Kinnebrew is Adele’s sister Sally and Justin Bailey is Ivan, servant to Prince Orlovsky.

Dr. Gale Odom is the director of Centenary’s Opera Workshop. Amy Williams is assistant director of this production. Scott Brown is accompanist, assisted by Les Downs, accompanying professor at Centenary. Devon Schmidt is lighting director.

The performances will be in the Anderson Auditorium of the Hurley Music Building at Centenary College. Admission is free and open to the public.

- 30 -