Cowboys at the opera

The opera won't end when the fat lady sings, but when the audience rolls over in laughter in "Die Fledermaus."

Oklahoma State University's Opera, Orchestra and Chamber Choir banded together to present this German 19th century operetta. The humorous opera contains deceit, disguise and revenge, but all in good fun.

The plot centers on Dr. Falke seeking revenge on his friend Eisenstein. As a practical joke that may sound familiar to some college students, Eisenstein left his friend overnight in the center of town drunk and dressed as a "fledermaus," meaning "bat" in German.

To get revenge, Falke plans an elaborate ball and invites Eistenstein's wife and housemaid, who appears in disguise. Through all the masks and schemes, Eisenstein gets into mischief and decides it is best to just ‘blame it on the champagne.'

The Romantic production required collaboration throughout the department, as well as the university, said Maura Aguilera, who plays the role of Prince Orlofsky. Music majors of all types and ages complete the cast, along with students outside the department.

"We love our non-majors," said Aguilera, a music education sophomore. "They don't have to be there for any other reason than because they want to be there."

The opera went beyond the classroom. Alumnus Brock Johnson will play the role of Eisenstein, while a professor and an alumnus play in the opera's orchestra.

Leslie Downs, the production's pianist, commuted from Norman for every rehearsal and will do the same for the performances. Downs helped the cast by sharing his knowledge of opera and giving guidance throughout rehearsals, said Bill Sheets, who plays Frank.

"(Downs) does a lot of hard work, definitely more than what he's paid for," Sheets said.

Mallory Turlington, who plays Adele, said the directors led rehearsals of "Die Fledermaus" in a way that resembled the professional world of theater.

"Instead of (the directors) telling us exactly how its going to be, they tell us what they want and explain why," Turlington said. "So, when we get out in the real world, we will understand what's going on and will know what is expected of us."

Aguilera said despite having two actors quit during the three months of rehearsal, the cast still persevered.

"Everyone has been so mature, and we have a support system in each other," Aguilera said. "You wouldn't have that drama-free setting anywhere else. "

However, the directors double casted three roles, which created a unique and challenging experience for their students, said Anthony Weber, who plays Falke.

"Even the people who aren't double casted will act differently with the double casted people," said Weber, a vocal performance junior.

This switcheroo seems as if it would be confusing, but the cast said it didn't cause many problems.

"The only complications that sometimes happened was maybe one person doesn't do the same thing their double casted person does, " Sheets said. "But honestly, the people were so professional in writing everything down, we never had much of a problem with it. "

Music Director April Golliver said "Die Fledermaus" is a huge accomplishment because it's the program's first three-act musical production. Golliver added that the spoken dialogue in the opera was this project's element of student learning.

"We are glad people will get a glimpse at another side of opera," Aguilera said. "It's not all fat ladies with Viking horns. This one is going to be especially fun with all the different types of humor."

"Die Fledermaus" will premiere Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Seretean Center of the Performing Arts Concert Hall. Tickets are $6 for students and senior citizens and $8 for adults. For group ticket specials, call (405) 744-8986.