Comic Operetta "The Merry Widow" April 4-12 in School of Theatre

Jealousy, passion, mistaken identities and love, all set against the decadence of Paris, add up to the comic operetta “The Merry Widow,” which will be presented at Illinois State University’s Center for the Performing Arts theatre at 7:30 p.m. April 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6.

Tickets are $15 for the general public, $13 for faculty and staff, $12 for senior citizens and $10 for students.  Tickets are available at the CPA box office from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays and prior to each performance, by phone at (309) 438-2535 or at Ticketmaster.com

Marian Hampton from the School of Theatre is the director and Karyl Carlson from the School of Music is the musical director.

The Franz Lehár operetta concerns a rich widow and her attempts to find a husband.  It is based on an 1861 comedy play, “The Embassy Attaché,” and premiered in Vienna in 1905.  It later met with great success in London and on Broadway.   “The Merry Widow” and Johann Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” are considered the two most popular and frequently performed European operettas.