The Chocolate Soldier January 24, 2009

The Palm Beach Light Opera Company will present its first production, a concert production of THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER with Music by Oscar Straus and Libretto by Stanislaus Stange on Saturday, January 24 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 25 at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be at the Kaplan Jewish Community Center Auditorium, 3151 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33409. THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER will feature a cast and orchestra of 30 directed by Joseph N. Rubin. Tickets are $25.00 for general admission, $20 for students. To purchase tickets and for more information call 561-582-0593, email pblightopera@yahoo.com, or view the Palm Beach Light Opera Company’s website at www.pblightopera.com.

After its 1908 premiere in Vienna, THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER opened on Broadway in 1909 and ran 296 performances. It was successfully revived on Broadway six times, most recently in 1947. The 1941 film version staring Nelson Eddy and Rise Stevens kept the some of the score, but replaced the original plot which is based on Shaw’s ARMS AND THE MAN. One of the most beloved operettas of all time, THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER was constantly revived by stock and amateur companies all over the country, but has not been seen in recent decades. Oscar Straus’ score contains the immortal song “My Hero.” The Palm Beach Light Opera Company’s production marks the 100th anniversary of the Broadway premiere.

THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER is a hilarious romantic comic opera set in 1885 Bulgaria, in which Bumerli, a wise-cracking but cowardly soldier of the Servian infantry, lands in a Bulgarian woman's bedroom in an attempt to escape from both the enemy--and his own--side of the army. Uproarious incidents occur as the woman Nadina, her mother, and cousin try to hide Bumerli from the dim-witted Bulgarian army, and later attempt to cover up the scandal when the men of the house return from the war. An all-around riotous plot with a magnificent musical score, THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER is an unforgettable ride you won't want to miss!

Official Website: http://www.pblightopera.com