Loudoun Lyric Opera performs The Merry Widow ...
Franklin Park Arts Center, April 2012
Photos by Jim Poston, Middleburg
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The Marsovian Embassy, Paris, ca. 1900: The gossip is about the wealthy widow, Hanna Glawari. If she re-marries a non-Marsovian, the little country will be bankrupt! |
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Flirting with danger: Natalie Zeta, wife of the Marsovian Ambassador (portrayed by Erin Winker) with Viscounte Camille DeRosillon (David Merrill). Trouble begins when Camille writes "I love you" on Natalie's fan. |
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The widow arrives (Melissa Jean Chavez as Hanna Glawari) and is quickly surrounded by admirers (L to R: Andrei Naumov, Tim Griffin, Brandon Scott, Peter Schweitzer and Patrick Philip Becker). |
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The Merry Widow Waltz begins... |
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The Ambassador has called on the inveterate flirt Count Danilo Danilovitch (Gregory Stuart) to woo the widow on Marsovia's behalf. But the Hanna and the Count already have a complicated past... |
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The party at Madam Glawari's estate outside Paris, featuring a Marsovian Folk Dance in the hauntingly beautiful "Vilia Song." |
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Is this courtship or war? Hanna and the Count can't seem to make up their minds, but what beautiful music they make as they decide! |
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"The Women," sung by a septet of gentlemen and eventually joined by the parties in question! (L to R: Katy Hannah, Scott Tousley, Delia Zielinksi, David Chavez, Archelle Skuce, Tim Griffin, Molly Pinson-Simoneau, Gregory Stuart, Kristen Donovan, Patrick Philip Becker, Ashley Herr, Peter Seckinger, Sue Derrow and Bill Harris) |
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"Meet me at Maxim's!" The famous Paris restaurant and its even more famous "Grisettes" - the Can-Can Dancers - play host to the Marsovians |
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| Chanel Wood as Nische, the Ambassador's Secretary, singing Quite Parisian" under the influence of a bit too much champagne. She's helped across the dance floor by St. Brioche (Patrick Philip Becker) and Cascada (Tim Griffin). |  |
The Cast
Melissa Jean Chavez (Hanna Glawari)
Gregory Stuart (Count Danilo Danilovitch)
Erin Winker (Natalie Zeta)
David Merrill (Viscounte Camille de Rosillon)
Chanel Wood (Nische)
Bill Harris (Baron Zeta)
Patrick Philip Becker (St. Brioche)
Tim Griffin (Viscounte Cascada)
Peter Seckinger (General Kromov)
Hillary LaBonte (Olga Kromov)
David Chavez (Bogdonavitch)
Michelle Stockard (Sylviane Bodgonovitch)
Scott Tously (Pritisch)
Alma Westerberg (Praskovia Pritisch)
Molly Pinson Simoneau (Zozo)
Kristen Donovan (Folk Dancer, Lolo)
Katy Hannah (Dodo)
Ashley Herr (Folk Dancer, Jou-Jou)
Sue Derrow (Frou-Frou)
Delia Zielinski (Folk Dancer, Clo-Clo)
Archelle Skuce (Folk Dancer, Margot)
Brandon Scott (Folk Dancer, Headwaiter)
Faryn Faulconer (Chorus)
Louise Howard (Chorus)
Andrei Naumov (Waiter)
Peter Schweitzer (Waiter)
The Artistic Staff
Meredith Bean McMath (Director)
Cuong Hung Van (Music Director)
Kelly Gray (Choreographer)
Kathryn Lea (Stage Manager)
Alex Butler (Assistant Stage Manager)
Pamela Butler (Producer)
