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Fall Operetta... Trés Bien!

Romp through 18th-century New Orleans with pirates, sailors, courtiers, and tavern wenches

Every other year, CSU, Chico offers an operetta as its "big show" for fall. This year's production, The New Moon, presented Oct. 23­27 in Harlen Adams Theatre, is one of those period pieces that are delightful to watch.

The show is set in New Orleans in 1792. Robert Mission, a French nobleman wanted for murder, serves as a bondsman and recruits "stouthearted men" for the cause of liberty. After his arrest, Mission is sent back to France on The New Moon, a ship also carrying his beloved Marianne. Mission's followers, disguised as pirates, rescue their leader, who takes Marianne with him to establish a colony of free men on the Isle of Pines.

Gail Holbrook, costume design professor, said the costumes will be "a spectacle to behold," including those huge dresses that amaze with petticoats, corsets, and bum rolls (those oh-so-flattering bustles worn around the hips). Master set designer Marty Gilbert designed an elaborate French sailing ship—The New Moon—and raucous sailors will revel on his set of an authentic New Orleans tavern. A full orchestra will be conducted by James Bankhead, who called the musical score "lush" and said the orchestra will offer "the perfect blend of gentle backgrounds and powerful punctuations of the story line."

Director Joel P. Rogers, musical theatre, promises a fun show with catchy tunes, funny characters, and hilarious moments. Ah bon!

The New Moon is presented by the School of the Arts and the Departments of Music and Theatre Arts. Opening night tickets are sold out. See calendar for ticket information.

Lisa Kirk