Stage Door News

Toronto: Toronto Operetta Theatre is back on stage with “A Waltz Dream” by Oscar Straus

Friday, December 17, 2021

Just in time for the Holidays, Toronto Operetta Theatre returns to the St. Lawrence Centre stage with the Canadian Premiere of Oscar Straus’s A Waltz Dream (Ein Walzertraum). One of the greatest hits of operetta’s Silver Age, this romantic tale of love blurs the lines of the class divide with some alluring melodies of the Viennese period. Even the great Franz Lehár was envious of the furor caused by that magical melody called The Waltz Dream.

WE ARE BACK!!!

with the Canadian Premiere of Oscar Straus

4 performances at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts (27 Front Street East, Toronto)

December 29 (8 pm) & 31 (8 pm) *Reduced capacity

January 2 (3 pm) & 4 (8 pm) *Regular capacity


Our first in-person production in nearly two years features fresh new faces in leading roles joined by some of our most beloved TOT stars. Soprano Andrea Núñez, a member of Montreal Opera’s Atelier Lyrique will be Helene and Vancouver Opera Young Artist Scott Rumble as Niki – tenor of course! - is the object of her affections. Their co-stars are Elizabeth Beeler as Theodora, Keith Klassen as Braganoff, Sean Curran as Crown Prince Joachim IV and our reigning funny-man Gregory Finney as Count Lothar. Conductor Derek Bate leads the cast, chorus and orchestra, all directed by TOT’s Guillermo Silva-Marin. “After a hiatus of 22 months”, says Silva-Marin, “we are so excited to be on stage again, with wonderful music, comedy and the joy of theatre shared with friends and family”.


Our Artists:



Also starring: Karina Bray, Amy Moodie, Diana Di Mauro, Giulianna Misasi, Alexandra Weintraub, Sebastien Belcourt and Austin Larusson.

That’s Straus, with only one ‘S’:

When Franz Lehár’s megahit The Merry Widow premiered in 1905, Oscar Straus supposedly remarked: “I can do that” and so he did. A Waltz Dream premiered at the Carltheater in Vienna in the spring of 1907 and quickly rivalled the popularity of Lehár’s signature work. Straus’ operetta was soon heard in New York, Philadelphia and London and there have been 5 different film versions. Internationally lauded, Straus continued to compose operettas, ballets and film scores until his death in 1954.

Release those pandemic blues with a return to the theatre where the outside world vanishes and the joy of living is revived. TOT is determined to provide you with great musical entertainment and great health and safety standards. TO Live has strict measures in place for distancing, new air circulation, a scrupulously clean venue and all visitors must show proof of their vaccination status as required by the city. See the TO Live website for the complete safety measures. In special recognition of everyone’s concerns, TOT has two seating plans available for selected dates.

Please consult the Box Office (416-366-7723) or online at www.torontooperetta.com for full details.

Illustration: Cover of sheet music for Ein Waltzertraum. © 1907 Ludwig Doblinger.