Evening of hilarious French one-act operas

The Stetson University Opera Theatre, Russell Franks, director, and Symphony Orchestra, Anthony Hose, conductor, will present two French operas on Friday, March 23, and Sunday, March 25, at the DeLand High School Theatre Center, located at the corner of Hill and Plymouth avenues, DeLand. Angélique by Jacques Ibert, and Les Mamelles de Tirésias by Francis Poulenc, will be performed in English with supertitles on Friday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 25 at 3 p.m.

L to R in Angélique: Sean O'Malley (Boniface), Michael Vlach (Devil), Constance Rogalski (Angélique) and Keith Browning (Charlot).

Angélique is a farce in one act on the words of Nino. The action takes place over the course of one day on a street in Paris in 1922. The wealthy merchant Boniface is lamenting his life, married to a shrew named Angelique. His best friend Charlot advises him that he might want to sell her to the highest bidder, so they post the sign, “Woman for sale.” As each prospective buyer falls in love with her beauty, they quickly discover why she was up for sale, and return her immediately for a refund. Several of the roles for Angélique have been double-cast. Constance Rogalski and Lindsay Loper are cast in the role of Angélique. Sean O’Malley will perform as Boniface. Keith Browning is cast as the Charlot. Lauren Davis and Sarah Kuntze are cast as the First Gossip; and Amanda Caban and Amanda James are cast as the Second Gossip. Ralph Pugh is cast as the Italian. Micah Callahan is cast as the Englishman. Errol Shaw and Shane Klingensmith are cast as the African. And Michael Vlach is cast as the Devil.

Les Mamelles de Tirésias (translated as “The Breasts of Theresa”) is an opera buffa in two acts with prologue by Francis Poulenc on a poem by Guillaume Apollinaire. The action takes place in 1922, after the end of World War I, when a decree came down from the French government that each able-bodied citizen should restock the country’s supply of babies. Les Mamelles de Tirésias pokes fun at this absurd law. Teresa, a housewife, decides that she will not be the one to make babies. She sheds her apron, dons a general’s uniform and leaves the duty of making and tending to babies to her husband. Alumnus Ryne Cherry (’10) will play the Director. Feryal Qudourah and Jessica Bianco are cast in the role of Thérèse. Ross Chuchla is cast in the role of the Husband. Chesley Woods is cast in the role of Presto. Micah Callahan is cast as Lacouf. Keith Browning is cast in the role of the Policeman. Elizabeth Galafa and Marissa Ortiz are cast as the Newspaper Vendor. Michael Vlach is cast as the Journalist. Brian Rodriguez is cast as the Son. Chelsey Geeting is cast as A Large Woman. Jennifer Allenby is cast as An Elegant Woman. And Alex Braden is cast as A Bearded Man.

Admission is $20 general admission; $15 senior citizens; $10 students. All faculty, staff and students with a current Stetson ID will be admitted free. More information: Stetson University’s School of Music (386) 822-8950; Concert Line (386) 822-8947; www2.stetson.edu/music.