The Island of Tulipatan By Jacques Offenbach

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2 Page 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY OPERETTA COMPANY PRESENTS The Island of Tulipatan By Jacques Offenbach DIRECTOR S NOTES: If you are looking for a convoluted story full of misdirection, secrets, and laughs, you are in the right place! The Island of Tulipatan, written originally in French by Henri Chivot and Alred Duru, has been seamlessly translated into English by Jack Helbig and Gregg Opelka for this a one hour show. DR. COLLEEN WHIDDEN Colleen Whidden recently completed her doctoral program in music education at the University of Calgary. She formed The University of Calgary Operetta Company in 2007 after having directed secondary and community musical theatre productions in British Columbia. Colleen is thrilled to be working with this talented theatre company Jacques Offenbach s music adds to the hilarity of the show with its lyric melodies and sumptuous harmonies. If you are an Operetta Company supporter, you will notice this storyline as a deviation from the more dramatic works that we have been known to produce. We decided it was time to lighten ourselves up and let the audience leave laughing instead of crying! It has been my pleasure to once again work with this company made up of university students, University of Calgary alumni, University of Calgary Operetta alumni, and community members. We have been rehearsing since the beginning of June for this show, so it has been an intensive schedule. Nevertheless, the entire cast and pit, as usual, have risen to the occasion. Special thanks to Byron Redd who took on leadership roles for this production and let his passion for the art permeate every endeavor. Colleen Whidden SYNOPSIS: The warlike Duke of Tulipatan, Cacatois XXII, is annoyed at the effeminacy of his son, Alexis. The Duke s seneschal, Romboidal, is likewise exasperated at the tomboy behaviour of his daughter, Hermosa. A crisis occurs when the two young people fall in love and want to get married. Alexis goes off to ask his father s permission, and Romboidal s wife, Theodorine, takes Hermosa aside and confesses that Hermosa is, in fact, a boy. Hermosa s disappointment is cut short when Romboidal, still believing Hermosa is a girl, confesses that Alexis is in fact the Duke s third daughter. Hermosa changes into a soldier s uniform. The Duke returns from lunch and is confused when the union of his son with his seneschal s daughter is opposed by both Romboidal, who believes they are both girls, and Theodorine, who believes they are both boys. Confusion abounds!

3 Page 3 This performance will be presented in one act, with no intermission. CAST: PRINCIPALS: Roy Styan Danielle Sosnowski Joel Tousignant Barnes DANIELLE SOSNOWSK: ALEXIS Danielle's exploration of the arts began in her grandparents' living room with the original play "Hyper ella", a fairly long winded spoof of the classic fairytale Cinderella. Danielle went on to complete a BSc in Zoology at the University of Calgary, but has always felt a pull towards the arts. Danielle's theatrical side blossomed in her job as a summer camp counsellor and she has been part of the shows Trial by Jury, Pirates of Penzance, and Paris, a nous deux. Don't let the character of Alexis fool you Danielle is a sports fan, has climbed and holds her own with a bow and arrow. JOEL TOUSIGNANT BARNES: ROMBOIDAL Kevin Leitch ROSANNA REDD: THEODORINE Rosanna started showing her vocal prowess at a very young age, when she came home from Sunday School proudly stating to all who would listen, I was the loudest singer. From such humble beginnings, Rosanna has developed her musical and theatrical talent through vocal lessons and participating in festivals and community theatre. She has earned her Bachelor of Education degree combined with her Bachelor of Music from the University of Calgary. Credits include: Miss Saigon (Ellen), Trial by Jury (Usher), Pirates of Penzance (Edith), Down in the Valley (Jenny Parsons), West Side Story, Dido and Aeneas, Saturday s Warrior, Grease (Jan), Fiddler on the Roof, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Rosanna Redd KEVIN LEITCH: HERMOSA Raised in Calgary, Kevin spent his childhood aspiring to be a ventriloquist by day and tap dancer by night, constantly playing with dolls and wearing fancy shoes. He was always involved in music: singing, playing piano and bassoon, and whatever else his family would tolerate. Kevin became involved with the University of Calgary Operetta Company in the fall of 2007 as an extracurricular activity. He wishes to thank anyone who has spent painstaking hours running lines and learning songs with him; He hopes the subsequent hearing loss is temporary. Credits include: Miss Saigon, West Side Story, Down in the Valley, and Pirates of Penzance. Joel fell in love with music at Western Canada High School, where he joined as many ensembles as would take him. He is currently studying mathematics in Montreal, where he helped found the McGill math department barbershop quartet. When not musing on math mysteries or singing selections from Jesus Christ Superstar, Joel can be found swing dancing, playing baseball, and enjoying smoked meat sandwiches. Joel had a wonderful time in Dido and Aeneas, where he appeared as a courtier, a drunken sailor, and a psychotic witch. Born and raised on the Isle of Tulipitan, Roy periodically comes into the real world to check on his sex. "Living on that island, one is never quite sure", says Roy. "Perhaps it is something in the water. But luckily I get to travel every so often and my manhood is reaffirmed". Offered this chance to give the world a glimpse of his homeland Roy was thrilled. "Tulipatan is a magical world, right on par with Oz. The rest of the world really needs to get to know it better". Roy would like to thank his mom (or dad?) and his father (or mother?). CHORUS: ROY STYAN: DUKE CACATOIS Chelsea Orza, Nicole Tagg, Isabel Chan, Mada Wentzel, Britt van Groningen, Sharon Duval, Rhonda Mottle, Claudia Chan, Sunny Eom, Stephanie Campbell, Jocelyn Hoover, Brittany Rae, David Mottle, Phil Rushton, Danny Li, Ryan Chu, Michael Purdy, Mikhail Smilovic, Byron Redd.

4 Page 4 PRODUCTION TEAM: Artistic Director Dr. Colleen Whidden Production Manager/Assistant Director Byron Redd Costume Design Frank MacLeod Costumes Kim Schamp/Myrna Weiden/Brenda Goyetche/ Rhonda Mottle Choreography Jocelyn Hoover/Colleen Whidden/Donald Jones Hair & Makeup Annalise Smith Properties Claire Carolan/Ron Miller/Rhonda Mottle Rehearsal Accompanist Brent Tucker Marketing Maria Fernandez/Joseph Bardsley/ Erin Bacon/Nicole Tagg /Byron Redd Official Photographer Ryan Michelsen ( Poster Design Laura Palacios Playbill Design Joseph Bardsley Contributing Artists Tania Wong/Donald Jones/Jeff Diodati PIT ORCHESTRA: Joseph Bardsley Horn Corey de Baat Flute/Clarinet Amelia Sharp Cello Claire Sharp Violin Brent Tucker Piano War is politics, by other means. Dialogue No. 1. MUSICAL NUMBERS: No. 0 Overture No. 1 Couplets d'hermosa "Vive le tintamarre!" No. 2A Chorus "Vive le grand Cacatois!" No. 2B Couplets du Canard "Prince doux et fort débonnaire" No. 2C Couplets du Colibri "J'ai perdu mon ami" No. 3 Duetto Hermosa and Alexis "J'aime tout ce qui sonne" No. 4 Couplets Duetto Hermosa and Alexis "Si, comme vous, j'étais un homme" No. 5 Air de Théodorine "Je vais chercher les petites cuillers" No. 6 Duo Hermosa and Romboïdal "Tu connais ce secret terrible" No. 7 Duettino Hermosa and Alexis "Quoi c'est vous! Oui, c'est moi" No. 8 Barcarolle Bouffe Théodorine, Romboïdal, Cacatois and Chorus "Dans Venezia la belle" No. 8b Marche Nuptiale No. 9 Couplet Final "A la fin de la pièce" Light opera: a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending, stemming from 17th century Italy. A Note From the Lyricist: This is the third production of The Island of Tulipatan since its 2003 premiere at the Light Opera Works in Chicago. One of Offenbach s most comic and lighthearted operas, it has become a staple of the light opera repertoire. Gregg Opelka, Lyricist and Translator The Island of Tulipatan

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6 PRODUCTION PHOTOS "Momma, you're scaring me...your tone of voice." "If you utter even just one solitary word...you'll not see nineteen!" "How very rare when families enjoy so sweet a trust when everything is so openly discussed." "My darling father, don't be idle; I'm not really suicidal." "You're so cute; You're so strong; We were so right and wrong." With special thanks to Ryan Michelsen ( for all photos contained herein.

PRODUCTION PHOTOS "So he sent Pietro cruising

your house." "This is what we call the finale.

!...)" "Babbling, gabbling birds of prey.

7 PRODUCTION PHOTOS "So he sent Pietro cruising down the grand canal. Zing! Go take a glide, Tra La La!" "Push that pole and sing your barcarolle." "...this certificate of appreciation...you can frame it and put it in any room of your house." "This is what we call the finale... (on a five chord?!...)" "Babbling, gabbling birds of prey...its all a lie, a grand canard!" With special thanks to Ryan Michelsen ( for all photos contained herein.

8 PRODUCTION PHOTOS "Diana [the huntress] is hardly the best role model for our daughter. She wasn't very ladylike herself." "A woman's face is like a work of art, don't you think?" "Out of all the local potentature, No one's potenter than moi!" "Oh mother, but I love him. We're made for each other." "My sweet hummingbird's flown, I'm alone with a-a-a-agony."

9 PRODUCTION PHOTOS "You want him to marry?! He doesn't even shave yet." "Terrifying. Excuse me. Charming. It's just the situation that's terrifying. My dear Prince, I mean, Princess." "Tra, La, La." "And the Cacatois name will die out in this generation Call the doctor, he's about to faint again." "Let's break it down Tu-Tu-lip-Tulipatan!" "My son Alexis has made a confession to me." "I don't like where this is going...i'm dead, I'm dead."

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Page 11 2010 OPERETTA COMPANY SPONSORS: The University of Calgary Operetta Company sincerely thanks our many sponsors, supporters and friends for their investment in our success.

11 Page OPERETTA COMPANY SPONSORS: The University of Calgary Operetta Company sincerely thanks our many sponsors, supporters and friends for their investment in our success. Thank you for helping to contribute to Calgary s performing arts community! ABOUT US: The University of Calgary Operetta Company is a not for profit, amateur production company which functions in part under the governance of the University of Calgary s Department of Music. Now entering its fourth year of operation, the Company specializes in musical theatre and light opera productions. The company strives to make performance opportunities as well as opportunities for involvement in other aspects of stagecraft, production and the theatrical experience on a whole available to all members of the civic community. For more information or to get involved e mail operetta@ucalgary.ca.

2011 SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT: The University of Calgary Operetta Company is pleased to announce our mainstage production for the 2010 11 performance season Titanic: The Musical, with music and lyrics by

12 2011 SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT: The University of Calgary Operetta Company is pleased to announce our mainstage production for the performance season Titanic: The Musical, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Peter Stone. PERFORMANCE DATES: January 13 22, 2010 University Theatre A winner of five Tony Awards in 1997 including Best Musical this sweeping production portrays the ill fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, which sank on its maiden voyage on April 14 th, Are you an aspiring actor, pit orchestra musician or backstage crew member? If so, we d like to hear from you! E mail operetta@ucalgary.ca for updates.

The University of Calgary Summer Opera Workshop Jacques Offenbach s Island of Tulipatan Performances: June 25/26

The University of Calgary Summer Opera Workshop Jacques Offenbach s Island of Tulipatan Performances: June 25/26 Welcome to the wonderful world of opera performance. The University of Calgary is proud