Sometimes arranged marriages work just fine, sometimes they don’t. Regardless, this plot device is a staple of the theatrical/operatic world, as exemplified by The Little Dutch Girl by Emmerich Kálmán, now on stage at Ohio Light Opera. It is the final show of this season. The plot is loosely based on an early Hungarian movie, which so impressed Kálmán, and his librettists Leo Stein and Béla Jenbach, that they promptly converted it to an operetta.
The orchestra at OLO is again conducted by Steven Byess for this production, with choreography by Spencer Reese. The impressive sets are by Tymberley Whitesel while the chic and/or rustic costumes are by Stefanie Genda. Daniel Huston is the lighting director.
Prince Paul of Usingen (Clark Sturdevant) refuses to be married to a girl he’s never even seen, regardless of how lovely she’s reported to be. The Princess, Jutta of Sonneburg-Glücksberg (Meagan Sill), is, however, content with the arrangement, and her court is all aglitter in anticipation.
Her best friend, the Baroness Elly (Jessamyn Anderson), the first maid of honor, works together with the chatelaine Sallina (Gretchen Windt) and the Lord Chamberlain von Stopp (Benjamin Krumreig) to prepare for the wedding. Except that when the Prince’s Ambassador, Dr. Udo von Sterzel (Samus Haddad), arrives, he instead to informs them that there will be no wedding. Although initially he refuses to say where the prince is, eventually it is wormed out of him, and so the entire court packs up to journey to the port in Holland, where he has traveled on his yacht.
As the second act opens, Jutta and Elly decide to substitute for the nieces of a grumpy hotel owner. Bella and Katje were expected to help out as serving girls, but they have not appeared. One look and Paul falls headlong for Jutta/Bella. Arriving a bit later, von Sterzel has become enamored of Elly/Katje.
When Jutta’s chamberlain, Stopp, arrives, he joins the two young ladies in becoming the best set of clowns seen this year. They cavort around the stage as though they’re on steroids, singing and dancing and laughing all the while. On occasion Sterzel joins in, but he has no head for wine, and temporarily retires from the scene.
Two days later in Jutta’s palace, both courts are again assembled. Wine is called for and the two young women along with Stopp and Sterzel share a rousing quartet. Sterzel proposes to Elly, and she agrees, but with conditions. Paul begs Jutta for forgiveness, and after a few more shenanigans, she decides — to make him wait a bit longer for her final answer.
Artistic director Steven Daigle’s pacing is furious in this piece, everyone rushing here and there, contributing to the almost manic actions. But it all works wonderfully well. This production genuinely puts the comedy into the descriptive phrase “musical comedy.” It was a treat to see veteran performer Spiro Matsos on stage for his 35th season at OLO. He was engaging as Von Oppel, minister of Usingen.
There are two more performances of The Little Dutch Girl: Sat 8/6 at 2pm and Thu 8/11, at 7:30pm. For ticket information, visit OLO’s website or call the box office at 330.263.2345.
Wooster, OH 44691