Franz Lehár's
The Merry Widow
Original Libretto by Victor Léon and Leo Stein
New English adaptation by Quade Winter

February 23 & 24, March 2 & 3 at 8pm
February 25 & March 4 at 2pm
​fully staged, in English, with live orchestra

Directed by Madeleine Smith
Music Directed by Joseph Sorge
Tickets also available by calling the box office at 
240-314-8690. Ask about group pricing!

Box Office Hours of Operation: 
Tuesday through Saturday 
2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Closed Monday

Cast

Hannah - Mary Claire Sullivan
Count Danilo - Doug Benton
Baron Mirko Zeta - Blair Eig
Valencienne - Jennalee Allen
Camille de Rosillon - Rishabh Bajekal
Raoul de St. Brioche - Kevin Schellhase
Cascada - Michael Beder
Njegus - Mary Mitchell
Kromov - Kent Woods
Bogdanovich - Bill Rogers
Pritschitsch - Michael Wolyniec

Grisettes - Kathleen Alvania, Christine Massimei, Allison Meyer (Valencienne cover), Jackie Rogers, Sarah Seider, Amy Winter

Ensemble - David Bradley, Suzanne Carter (Hannah Cover), Laura Hubbard, Rand Huntzinger, Emma Jensen, Ralph Johnson, Carlton Maryott, Jane Maryott, Deb Peetz, Kathi Rabil, Dave Robinson, Maureen Roult, Rusty Suter, Ed Vilade

Production Staff

Producers - Bill Rogers & Denise Young
Assistant to the Director & Stage Manager- Douglas Maryott
Choreographer - Jackie Rogers
Technical Director - Bill Rogers
Set Design - Bill Pressly
Costume Design - Denise Young
Hair and Make-Up - Maureen Roult
Properties - Carlton & Jane Maryott
Rehearsal Pianists- Ross Capon and Judy Gardner

Synopsis

Act I
The Pontevedrian ambassador to Paris, Baron Mirko Zeta, is giving a ball at the embassy to celebrate the birthday of Hanna Glavari, a fabulously wealthy Pontevedrian widow. Their home country is nearly bankrupt, and he needs to ensure that her millions do not leave the country. If she marries a foreigner, all is lost. He is unconcerned when he sees his young wife, Valencienne, flirting with Camille de Rosillon, a young Frenchman, and assumes she’s just being a good hostess. In fact, Camille has declared his love for Valencienne and writes “I love you” on her fan. Zeta eagerly awaits the arrival of the guest of honor. He plans to get Count Danilo Danilovitch, a womanizing aristocrat and the embassy undersecretary, to marry her so that her money will stay in Pontevedro. Hanna arrives and is showered with compliments by the Parisian men, but she seems unimpressed.  Valencienne, meanwhile, decides that Camille should marry Hanna. Finally, Danilo arrives, fresh from a night of partying at Maxim’s. He and Hanna talk, revealing that they were once in love but his family considered Hanna too far beneath his station for him to marry her. He tells her he’s not interested in marriage and will never say “I love you.” Zeta breaks it to Danilo that his duty is to marry Hanna for the sake of the Fatherland.  Danilo responds that he will keep all the Parisian men away from Hanna, but refuses to marry her. When the ladies’ choice dance is announced, Hanna selects a reluctant Danilo, and after some flirtatious bantering, the two finally dance.

Act II
The following day, Hanna hosts a party at her villa.  Zeta has heard that Camille is to marry Hanna, however his major-domo, Njegus, reveals that Camille is already having an affair with a married woman. Zeta wants to know who she is in order to destroy Camille’s reputation. Danilo continues to attempt to keep Hanna’s would-be suitors away.  When he’s left alone with her, he describes a hypothetical romantic night out with her in Paris during which they seem to reconcile. In the meantime, Valencienne is worried by her husband’s suspicions.  She writes “I am a respectable wife” on her fan and tells Camille that their love affair is over.  However, Camille begs for one last kiss. Observed by Njegus, they disappear into the pavilion, oblivious to the fact that Valencienne has dropped her fan. When Zeta arrives and finds the fan, Njegus prevents him from entering the pavilion in order to protect Valencienne’s secret and instead sneaks Hanna in to take her place. Hanna emerges with Camille, announcing their engagement. A furious Danilo departs for Maxim’s, which Hanna takes as proof of his love.

Act III
Zeta, Hanna and the other Pontevedrians arrive at Maxim’s in search of Danilo. Maxim’s famous grisettes—among them a dressed-up Valencienne—entertain the crowd. The incident at the pavilion has been explained to Danilo and he understands that Hanna was merely safeguarding another woman’s reputation. He is abashed, but still can’t bring himself to declare his love. Zeta produces Valencienne’s fan, which he found outside the pavilion. When Hanna tells him it doesn’t belong to her, he finally recognizes it as his wife’s, declares himself divorced, and proposes to Hanna, who informs him that according to her late husband’s will, she will lose her fortune if she remarries. At this, Danilo finally declares his love and asks Hanna to marry him. She accepts and reveals the rest of the will’s provisions, telling him that upon her remarrying, her fortune will pass to her new husband. Valencienne asks Zeta to read the other side of her fan stating she is a respectable wife. With the couples reunited, everyone wonders how women somehow always get their way.

Musical Selections

Act I
  • Pontevedro in Paree (Cascada, Zeta, Chorus)
  • A Highly Respectable Wife (Valencienne, Camille)
  • Gentlemen, Behave! (Hannah, St. Brioche, Cascada, Men)
  • I’m Off to Chez Maxim’s (Danilo)
  • The Past is Over (Hannah, Danilo)
  • Finale (Ensemble)

Act II
  • Introduction & Vilia (Ensemble & Hannah)
  • Silly, Silly Cavalier (Hannah, Danilo)
  • Girls, Girls. Girls, Girls, Girls! (Danilo, Zeta, St. Brioche, Cascada, Pritschitsch, Bogdonovitch)
  • Melodrama (Hannah, Danilo)
  • Just as the Rose in Springtime (Camille, Valencienne)
  • Finale (Ensemble)


Act III
  • Entr’acte & Cakewalk
  • Quite Parisienne (Njegus)
  • Voila, les belles Grisettes (Valencienne, Grisettes)
  • Reminiscense (Grisettes, Danilo)
  • Lips are Quiet (Danilo, Hannah)
  • Finale (Ensemble)