BWW Spotlight: Sneak Peek of Metropolitan Opera's THE MERRY WIDOW with Renée Fleming, Nathan Gunn & Kelli O'Hara!

Beginning New Year's Eve, Renée Fleming returns to the stage in her first-ever performances of Hanna Glawari, the title role in Lehár's The Merry Widow, at the Met. Four-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman will make her Met debut as director and choreographer of a new production of the comic operetta, which will also reunite Nathan Gunn (Danilo) and five-time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara (Valencienne). The duo previously shared the stage in Carousel with the New York Philharmonic.

Condected by Sir Andrew Davis, The Merry Widow features the familiar "Vilja Song" for the title character as well as a climactic song-and-dance set piece featuring a chorus line of grisettes at the legendary Parisian restaurant Maxim's. For additional information on The Merry Widow (running 12/31-1/31), visit the Met's Web site: www.metopera.org.

BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a first look at the upcoming production. Below, check out highlights of the company in rehearsal and view photos of Fleming and Gunn in costume!

Photo Credit: Brigitte Lacombe/Metropolitan Opera