The Merry Wives of Windsor

Above the stage in Byrum Hall, as the lights dimmed, a projector produced the crackled image of the words: "Boze Lyric Theater presents…" The orchestra continued its merry tune, a light and undulating romp that prepared the audience for the rousing laughter that was soon to come. After several minutes of music slipped away, the slide changed above the stage and the audience read: "The Merry Wives of Windsor." Soon afterward, two young women took the stage, wearing mischievous smiles. The audience smiled back, and the shenanigans began.

This year’s opera, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, is set in the 1950s and tells the tale of two wives, Alice and Meg, who are both pursued by the womanizing John Falstaff. In order to teach Falstaff a lesson, the merry wives orchestrate a number of events through shrewd planning and spontaneous mischief that embarrass and shame Falstaff for his indecent behavior. This year’s production garnered both laughter and praise from the audience. Director Laurel Goetzinger remarked, "It turned out to be more of a crowd-pleaser than I imagined it to be, which was wonderful!" Merry Wives showcased the first-rate talent at AU. But it takes more than just talent.

The quality of the program comes through a rigorous rehearsal process that began in October of last year. Casting for the opera is distinct from other performances at AU. Because of the advanced vocal skill needed to perform in the opera, only a small number of students audition for the production. Performers in the principal roles begin their work nearly one year in advance as they are required to be enrolled in an Opera Workshop during the fall semester. Interested students audition for the Opera Workshop in the spring of the previous year in order to secure an opportunity to earn one of the coveted roles. In the final half of the fall semester, the company begins work on the music of the opera. By January, the music is memorized and staging begins, with rehearsals lasting every day for five weeks. Finally opening night comes, and the performers are ready. The February 15-18 production showcased the soaring melodies and hilarious portrayals of dozens of AU students.

One of the strengths of the production lies in the way the company is directed. Goetzinger emphasizes the importance of each role, not favoring one role over another. "As a company, the students worked very well together. That’s something we work very intentionally on: that everyone has an important role to play no matter how many notes they’re going to sing." The company works together on many levels, including differing levels of experience. Whether it is their first performance or their last, students learn much from each other and the shared experience. Many will share their useful knowledge in later productions when they are directing high school students or performing in professional lyric theater.

The opportunity for students to participate in such an excellent and ambitious program is rare, considering AU’s size. Each year, the Boze Lyric Theater produces two full-length performances with orchestra, which is rare for small schools. The students that performed in Merry Wives and the audience that laughed along got a taste of a rare treat—and hopefully left a little merrier than they came.