Toronto Operetta Theatre (TOT)’s General Director Guillermo Silva-Marin has announced the company’s return with a live 2021/22 season that offers a mix of operetta classics and Canadian — and World — Premieres. A Waltz Dream will open the season, followed by Orpheus in the Underworld and A Northern Lights Dream. All three shows will be full productions with orchestra, and take place at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.
“After a hiatus of 22 months”, says Silva-Marin, “we are so excited to be on stage again, with wonderful music, comedy and the joy of theatre shared with friends and family”.
The Canadian Premiere of Oscar Straus’ A Waltz Dream will kick of the season, running December 29, 31 and January 2, 4, 2022. The production marks the company debuts of Andrea Nuñez and Scott Rumble, and the return of TOT favourites Elizabeth Beeler, Keith Klassen and Gregory Finney. Derek Bate will conduct.
Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld will follow in the new year, running February 16 to 20, featuring established Canadian voices Vania Chan, Tonatiuh Abrego, Ryan Downey and Rosalind McArthur. Concluding the season in May is the World Premiere of Michael Rose’s new musical A Northern Lights Dream, a piece inspired by Shakespeare’s classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Kate Carver will make her conducting debut, buoyed by an impressive cast that includes Natalya Gennadi, Karen Bojti, Ian Backstrom, Daniela Agostino and Stephanie O’Leary.
Derek Bate conducts the Toronto Operetta Theatre Chorus at a rehearsal for the 21/22 season. Photo: Courtesy of Toronto Operetta Theatre
Tickets and more details available here. To ally fears of distancing concerns, each production will offer a choice of two performances at 50% capacity.
Angela Bell is Opera Canada’s Digital Media Specialist. She has held digital and PR roles with various businesses including the Walt Disney Company, Sullivan Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival.
