Stage Door News

Toronto: Toronto Operetta Theatre presents Offenbach’s “Orpheus in the Underworld” October 21-23

Friday, September 9, 2022

Guillermo Silva-Marin, TOT’s General Director, announces the company’s return to the St. Lawrence Centre stage with a new season of musical entertainment from the wide world of Operetta and Music Theatre. Orpheus in the Underworld, Offenbach’s riotous view of the hijinks in Hades, is first up with performances on October 21 (8 pm), 22 (8 pm), 23 (3 pm) starring Vania Chan, Tonatiuh Abrego, Gregory Finney, Joshua Clemenger, River Guard and Mairi Demings. The Creative Team includes Conductor Larry Beckwith, Stage Manager Myra Malley, and Keyboardists Narmina Afandiyeva and Brahm Goldhamer. Silva-Marin directs.

“Eagerly emerging from the pandemic years,” says Silva-Marin, “we are onstage again and look forward to the energy that flows between patrons and performers. Nothing could be better for our return than Offenbach’s first great masterpiece, set in ancient times when gods and mortals mixed and matched and generally got up to no good.” Of course, Offenbach was making fun of his fellow Parisians who recognized themselves and responded with loud guffaws and huge applause. The old tale of Orpheus and his beloved wife Eurydice is turned upside down and they both are happy when she is seduced by Pluto, God of the underworld, and carted off to Hades. Also on hand are Jupiter, his wife Juno, Venus the goddess of love, John Styx, Mars the god of War and numerous demi-gods and goddesses all bored with the luxurious life in their Olympian paradise. Hades is just the place for the most famous Cancan of them all bringing Orpheus in the Underworld to a smashing climax.

TOT’s relaxed Cabaret Series at The Edward Jackman Centre returns for intimate afternoons where patrons can enjoy laughter, romance, familiar melodies, and a glass of wine. The series begins on Saturday, October 1 - at 4 pm with At the Savoy with G&S, a head-spinning whirl through the works of Gilbert & Sullivan.

In addition to support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, the Jackman Foundation, the Dalglish Family Foundation, The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation, Metcalf Charitable Foundation, and Bedolfe Foundation, the company counts among its partners U Developments, Long & McQuade and TIZZ Costumes, and media sponsor Classical 96.3 FM.

All operetta performances take place at the wheelchair-accessible St. Lawrence Centre for the Art, situated in the downtown theatre district, close to public transit and municipal parking. For information, call the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts at 416-366-7723 or tolive.com.

Illustration: Poster for revival of Orphée aux enfers. © 1878 Jules Chéret.