Tales from the Manhattan Woods

Opera New York, Inc.

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Tales from the Manhattan Woods, with book and lyrics by Writers Stage member Frederick Stroppel, is an updated version of Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. First produced at the Producers Club in 1998 as a staged reading, the show completed a 10 week run as a full Off-Broadway production in January 2004 at the Wings Theatre in Greenwich Village, where it received rave reviews.

Reviews and Publicity:

New York Times - January 2, 2004

Marjorie Gunner, President, Outer Critics Circle

The Village Voice

The New Yorker

Backstage - December 9, 2003

Staten Island Advance -January 9, 2004

Gay City News - January 22, 2004

Nassau Herald - December 25, 2003

OGGI - January 15, 2004
Town and Village - December 12, 2003

Poster Art by Bethany Short

"The Upper East Side's answer to Rent." (Village Voice)

The New York Times (by Neil Genzlinger):

"Take something highbrow, stir in something lowbrow, have hit."

"Mr. Stroppel has taken the Fledermaus characters and basic story and transplanted them to modern-day New York. Eisenstein, the philandering, jail-bound husband of the tale, is here a real-estate tycoon who is headed to the pokey for slugging a photographer. Rosalinda, his wife, is, as in the original, still tempted to dally with her old flame, Alfredo, but the crucial party invitation that sets events in motion arrives by fax. Adele, the Eisensteins' maid, thinks at one point that she is auditioning for a film."

"...there is fine singing to be heard in this show, and at close quarters.."

"The principal performers all have legitimate opera voices and extensive credentials. Sarah Miller as Rosalinda and Shawna Stone as Adele were especially fine."

"the show...engage[s] in the far more sophisticated science of self-deprecation. Mr. Phebus provides a moment of this right at the start with his disrespectful treatment of the overture, and there are a few funny knowing winks later. (A prison guard, overhearing Alfredo singing his head off, mutters, 'These people come to this country — you'd think they'd learn to sing in English.')"

The New Yorker

"Frederick Stroppel has written a new book and lyrics for Strauss's Die Fledermaus, turning the comic opera into a campy romp..."

"The cast, in fine voice, has a grand time with deliberately stilted lyrics like 'The days will dribble out like ketchup/till I have you back in my embrace'."

"The doe-eyed Elizabeth Hillebrand stands out as a naive personal assistant."

Marjorie Gunner - President, Outer Critics Circle:

"Musicals off-Broadway are chasing Broadway's race toward awards. A lovely one popped up at the Wings Theatre in Greenwich Village....The presentation...selected a splendid cast, actually a rotating cast of thirty-three appearing in separate performances, all giving vent to thrilling operatic voices."

"Judith Fredricks makes a fine Prince Orlofsky and also displays control as the production's ingenious director."

"Among the cast of ten at the Sunday matinee I caught, the opera stars were bewitching. As Adele, the young flirt dressed to allure her boss, Elizabeth Hillebrand is charming and in beautiful voice. Elena Heimur is the superb standout as Rosalinda, the lady of the house married to Eisenstein, played by most amusing Jeffrey Reynolds. As Alfredo, Steven Snow is strong vocally, though he usually plays with an alternate cast, proving that whoever performs you are treated to fine opera. David Gary lends splendid support as Falk matching Walter Harman's delightful role as Frank."

"Bravo all hands, especially the hands of the musical director [Stephen Phebus] at the piano!"

Backstage (by Harry Forbes):

"Fledermaus it is, and decently sung to boot."

"Judith Fredricks...directed competently (with Fredricks playing a kinky 'Prince' Orlofsky)."

"Elena Heimur....demonstrated solid vocal technique and sang a terrific 'Czardas'.

"Jeffrey Reynolds, Melanie Melcher, Kyle Bradford, and David Garry excelled in both acting and singing departments, while Lindsey Jager and Brian Costello were fine in nonsinging roles. Walter Hartman and Frances Jones rounded out an above-average cast."

"Stephen Phebus proved a deft one-man orchestra on piano."

Staten Island Advance (by Michael J. Fressola):

"[Opera New York] updates Die Fledermaus with bold naughty glee."

"1890s Vienna glittered with beautiful women and dashing men, flowed with Champagne and schlag (whipped cream) and resounded with Strauss. Just like New York 2004... Or so it seems for a few hours at the Wings Theater where Tales From the Manhattan Woods updates and relocates Johann Strauss's Die Fledermaus with irresistible glee."

"Frederick Stroppel, the crazy madcap lyricist behind this transformation has written deft new lyrics.."

"Directors Judith Fredricks (stage) and Stephen Phebus (music) handle things capably..."

"Noted soprano Elena Heimur is excellent as Rosalinda. Jeffrey Reynolds is leading-man handsome and musical as Herr Eisenstein. Elizabeth Hillebrand, in the role of the wily servant Adele, sings and mugs beautifully. Orlofsky, a trouser role, is done to a gravelly turn by Judith Fredricks."

"Part of the pleasure of this Tales From the Manhattan Woods ... is hearing good voices in a small place at close range."

Gay City News (by Christopher Byrne):

"Talent to the Delightful Rescue - Strauss spin-off may be implausible, but the singing is a hearty balm "

"... the new book and lyrics by Frederick Stroppel ..., at times goofily inspired.... works in ways that one would not expect. There is an overriding wit at work,...... the buoyancy of the evening—not to mention the undertaking of what is easily a monumental task—renders moot most criticism."

"The entire first scene, in fact, seems like The Devil Wears Prada meeting I Love Lucy.”

"The performances by the superlative cast are what really made this show work. The major roles were triple-cast, just like at the Metropolitan Opera, and the singers were vocally and comedically sensational, a rare combination that made the entire evening...... fresh and lively."

"In particular, Melanie Melcher as Adele, the assistant who wants to be part of the downtown art-and-party scene, was consistently delightful. Her clear voice and dead-on comic timing were pure pleasures. In the perilously close quarters of the Wings Theater, Melcher scored every acting moment and her flexible, clear voice was nothing short of exciting. Her second act aria, in particular, was remarkable, showcasing a tremendous range and a facility of expression that is delicious."

"Similarly, Karen Coker as Rosalinda was equally adept and her singing every bit as accomplished. Indeed, the evening’s highlights came when the two women were on stage together."

"As Eisenstein, Rosalinda’s philandering husband.....Steven Snow was in fine voice. Gideon Dabi as Falk...was charming. Kevin Kash in the comic role of Stosh .... added just the right touch of offbeat humor to the final act...."

"Musical director Stephen Phebus was perhaps the hardest-working member of the ensemble, playing the piano adaptation of the score with seemingly limitless energy. "

"Heaven only knows what possessed Stroppel and the Wings Theater to undertake this project....Yet given the fun and sheer entertainment of the evening—once more demonstrating New York’s rich supply of talent—one is very glad they did."

Nassau Herald (by Arlene Epstein):

"The show bubbles with wit and has a gorgeous lilting score played to perfection by musical director Stephen Phebus"

Town & Village (by Gene Kilik)

"Set to the original music, Frederick Stroppel's book and lyrics don't disappoint."

"It is over the top and give the splendid cast of opera-trained singers the opportunity to ham it up to their hearts content."

"This cast can act as well as sing."

"All are excellent singers and seem delighted to be given the opportunity to camp it up."

OGGI (di Mario Fratti):

In un teatrino... danno anche un'opera, la ben note Die Fledermaus. Nuove titolo Tales from the Manhattan Woods. E'aggiornata con liriche e battute di Frederick Stroppel. Las musica e naturalmente quella di Johann Strauss Jr. Al piano, Stephen Phebus. La regista é Judith Fredricks che ha anche il ruolo di Orlofsky, il ricco anfitrione che da il ricevimento dove mogile e marito non si reconoscono e si corteggiano. Il marito è Jeffrey Reynolds. Val a divertirsi per un'ultima notte prima di andare in prigione. La moglie è la sexy Rosalinde (Elena Heimur). Le note complicazioni: 'labile segretaria Adele (Elizabeth Hillebrand) che cnata molto bene la moderna canzone "A fax from Sally" va anche lei in case Orlofsky. L'amante di Rosalinde è l'italiano Alfredo (Kyle Bradford). Finisce in prigione al posto del mariot tradito. Gran finale in prigione dove il marito è smascherato dalla moglie. La moglie trionfa, al solito. Buone voci, buona regia. Una divertente serata con prezzi regionevoli. Meno di venti dollari.