Amid a stage of forest foliage and office clutter, DePauw University's spring opera hopes to dig up success in the Green Center for Performing Arts this weekend.
DePauw students plan to go above and beyond what has ever been attempted by presenting "The Secret Gardener," a production that fills Moore Theater and features more than twenty-seven characters on stage at one time.
Campus has brought in internationally known stage director Joachim Schamberger, currently in residence at the School of Music.
Schamberger is a German native who also set last year's opera, Strauss's "Die Fledermaus."
This year, he was voted one of Indianapolis' "Ten Most Compelling Performing Arts People."
DePauw's production of "The Secret Gardener" is a modern-day twist on Mozart's 1775 opera, "La finta giardiniera," which roughly translates to the same title as DePauw's 21st Century version.
The play features the original music of Mozart, but the script is written in a modern way so that it feels fresh.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart originally wrote the opera when he was eighteen years of age. It first premiered on at the Salvator Theater in Munich, Germany.
Schamberger is responsible for preparing the adaptation of the story and English dialog, as well as producing, directing and designing the production.
"Preparations for the opera began in the fall of 2013," said Schamberger.
In the opera, the character Anchise, the mayor, decides to run for re-election on a "green" campaign and hires two gardeners, Sandriana and Nardo, to help.
The story bases itself on the mayor's love for Sandriana, which becomes clearly evident toward the beginning of Act I.
The opera includes three acts overall and runs approximately two and a half hours.
Tenors Joseph Leppek and Alec Reznich will sing the part of Mayor Anchise on alternating nights. Leppek will sing on Thursday and Saturday, and Reznich will sing on Friday and Sunday.
Sopranos Elleka Okerstrom and Sydney Cason share the role of Sandrina while basses Blake Lampton and Yazid Pierce-Gray will sing the part of Nardo.
All of the characters constantly switch love interests, making the story hard to follow at points, but director Schamberger knows how to solve that: a who's who program guide to keep everything straight.
Each audience member will receive a guide when they enter the auditorium.
The opera features all ages, which drew first-year Kimberly DeBusschere to audition.
"As a first-year, it is a great experience to be a part of the opera," said DeBusschere. "At larger schools, the graduate students are the ones who get the roles, but we currently have quite a few first-years with leads in this year's opera."
Comedy is most certainly not lacking from the production. As in the original Mozart version, in Schamberger's modern piece amidst the singing are comical interactions between characters.
"It is just like any hilarious sitcom you would watch on TV nowadays," said sophomore Yazid Pierce-Gray. "It has love, insults and a very large amount of jokes."
The acting is impeccable, making the dramatic scenes extremely intriguing, and the funny scenes will leave the audience grabbing at their sides due to all of their laughing.
"The opera is something like Mozart meets 'The Office'," said Schamberger. "We updated it so it makes for a really fun night."
Props scatter the stage to give the set an office feel. The stage includes a large back wall with office-style glass doors and windows. There are desks and computers as well as office chairs.
There are artistic elements to the set that match Schamberger's artistic style as well. Schamberger often uses graphics, still images and videos to enhance the quality of his productions. This one is no different. Vines line the ceiling and green plants cover the stage. A projector flashes branches and leaves across the back walls of the stage, creating eerie, dark images when the lights go dim.
The performers wear contemporary outfits as well, with women wearing pants suits and dresses while the men dress in full business attire. The gardeners sport overalls and shovels.
The opera features more than actors and singers. The orchestra pit will be full to the brim, just like the stage above them.
Music director Orcenith Smith conducts the DePauw Opera Orchestra, which features first-year through senior students.
First-year Graeme Richmond will spend his opera looking up at the actors from the orchestra pit.
"Performing in the pit has been a great learning experience," said Richmond. "I have next to no experience playing in pit orchestras, I have only been in one musical, and I believe this experience will definitely move my musical abilities to the next level."
The cast rehearses day in and day out to put on their final show for campus this weekend. The showings are Feb. 27 through March 1 at 7:30 p.m., as well as a matinee showing at 2 p.m. on March 2.
Though the practicing has been vigorous and rehearsals have been going on for over a month now, the final product and the experience the opera gives students is unmatched.
"Being a member of the opera cast has been such a great experience," said first-year Madeline Piscetta. "Learning to do what I love while still having fun is one of the best parts of being in the cast."
Tickets are available to anyone for seven dollars, but are free to students, children and seniors past the age of 65. They can be found online at www.depauw.edu/music/tickets or in the box office at the Green Center for the Performing Arts.
"There is something for everyone and the music is very beautiful," said Pierce-Gray. "People will leave the theatre very satisfied with the way they spent their evening."