The Merry Widow: Madonna at Canyon High School Performing Arts Center

Santa Clarita Valley opera company Mission Opera has been selected to present ‘The Merry Widow: Madonna’ as part of the OPERA America National Conference and World Opera Forum, being held in Los Angeles in early June. Four performances are scheduled for June 6 and 7 at 7:30 pm as well as June 8 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm at Canyon High School Performing Arts Center in Santa Clarita.

‘The Merry Widow’ by Franz Léhar features some of the most famous musical melodies of all time. This version is a brand new translation, libretto and dialogue, written by Mission Opera Artistic & Executive Director, Dr. Joshua Wentz and set in the 1980s! The show is in English and will feature a wide variety of dancing, including vogue, classic Viennese waltzing, the can-can, and a men’s kick line. The show will have you roaring with laughter at the comedic dialogue as you take a trip down memory lane remembering the fashion and the culture of the glamorous 80’s while the British Crown and Rock Stars like Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and George Michael wrestle for power.
Mission Opera veteran Jessica Schneiderman stars as Madonna (yes, that Madonna), alongside MO newcomer Julia Behbudov in the titular role. The show also marks the debut performances of Jacob Stucki as George Michael and Lily Berthold as Princess Di, joined on stage by returning cast members Gabriel Manro, Elias Berezin, Kirk Garner, Robert Dunlap, Jason Vincent, and Catherine Samartin. Maestro Brian Stone returns to the helm of the orchestra with Music Director & Accompanist Lindsay Aldana.

The production is directed by Mission Opera Artistic Director, Dr. Joshua Wentz and features a multimedia design by Sarah Van Sciver on the 46’ LED screen, creatively combining traditional theater with contemporary video design and virtual settings. “This show is a wonderful treat for anyone who doesn’t know about opera but loves musicals and theater. This hybrid show features folk music, dance, and an experience that one would more likely find on Broadway than in an opera house.” The entire performance will last 2 hours and 5 minutes, which includes a 15 minute intermission.

Synopsis

The show opens in Buckingham Palace where UK Royalty and Rock Stars are in crisis, realizing the Americans have taken over the pop culture world and the British Invasion could be over. Prince Charles and Princess Diana have arranged another Live Aid event to encourage British pop stars to reach new heights and achieve a second British Invasion. The path becomes clear when the American Madonna agrees to come and perform. The only way to stay on top is if one of the British glam rock stars woos her to wed so that she will declare British citizenship and put the Crown back on top.

Prince Charles battles with the flirting Princess Diana as he works to protect the royal image, but George Michael’s mix tape and new song he wrote to her makes it hard for her to stay faithful. Meanwhile, Elton John can’t stop partying at the Roxy with the glamorous young dancing girls (and boys) long enough to court Madonna and try to convince her to become British. Will Boy George or Freddie Mercury have better luck?

Tickets

Four tiered level tickets available for this LIVE show ranging from $30-$65 and sold at www.missionopera.com or through OnTheStage at: https://our.show/merrywidowmadonna. Student and Senior tickets available for $25 with ID at the box office. Concessions and merchandise sold before the show and during intermission.

Meet the Creative Team

CAST
MADONNA: Jessica Schneiderman
ELTON JOHN: Gabriel Manro
GEORGE MICHAEL: Jacob Stucki
PRINCE CHARLES: Jason Vincent*
PRINCESS DIANA: Lily Berthold
MICHAEL JACKSON: Juwan Stanford*
FREDDIE MERCURY: Michael Lopez*
BOY GEORGE: Eugene Carbajal*
DAVID BOWIE: Shawn Taylor
CYNDI LAUPER: Jessie Massoudi
KATE BUSH: Sarah Wang
OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN: Constanze Bonelli*
MEATLOAF: Alexei Helmbock*
STEVIE WONDER: Pyrec Parker*
QUEEN ELIZABETH: Mary Reens*
FRI & SAT EVENING:
MADONNA: Julia Behbudov
ELTON JOHN: Elias Berezin
GEORGE MICHAEL: Kirk Garner
PRINCESS DIANA: Catherine Samartin
DAVID BOWIE: Denis Suvorov
CYNDI LAUPER: Jessica Berns-Garner
KATE BUSH: Rose Kreider
GRIZETTES & MALE CHORUS: Britta Sterling, Leanna Crenshaw, Kirstin Ariel, Carol Winston, Julia Powers, Senyao Liu, & Dick Hughes
* asterisks indicate castmembers performing in all four shows

ORCHESTRA
CONDUCTOR: Brian Stone
CHORUS MASTER: Hugo Vera
MUSIC DIRECTOR / PIANIST: Lindsay Aldana
CONCERTMASTER: Alexander Martin
VIOLIN I: Samantha Vuong, Lainey White
VIOLIN II: Alejandra Moreno Gonzalez, Simone Maura
VIOLA: Cecille Asuncion, Julissa Bozman, Forresta Isabella
CELLO: Beryl Acosta, Jean Wertz
DOUBLE BASS: Nick Leonard
FLUTE: Juan Antonio Rivera 
OBOE: Bom An
CLARINET: Ernesto Cruz
FRENCH HORN I: Jason Beaumont
FRENCH HORN II: Andy Arensman
BASSOON: Alexander Charles Burns-Chay
TRUMPET: Jordyn Brown
TROMBONE: Omar Morga Pintle
TIMPANI & PERCUSSION: Andrew Greenberg

BEHIND THE SCENES
DIRECTOR: Joshua Wentz
PRODUCTION MANAGER & PROJECTION DESIGNER: Sarah Van Sciver
STAGE MANAGER: Caroline Morgan
ASM / WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN: Nelya Coomans
ASM / PROPS MASTER: Jason Vincent
SET DESIGNER: Shawn Taylor
ASSISTANT SET BUILDER: Nik Taylor
COSTUME COORDINATOR: Constanze Bonelli
COSTUME ASSISTANT: Katherine Craig
HAIR DESIGNER: Lisa Poleshek
MAKEUP DESIGNER: Marcos Pereyra
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / SOUND: Don Pittman
LIGHTING MASTER: Brian Nielson
VIDEOGRAPHER: Brayden Hayde
PHOTOGRAPHER: Wesley Jow
RECORDING ENGINEER / EDITOR: Adrian Narro
BOX OFFICE MANAGER: Nancy Chancellor
USHER MANAGER: Marie Scherb
FACILITIES LIAISON: Arthur Miller