Video: Inside Rehearsals for THE MERRY WIDOW at Opera Orlando
Franz Lehár's beloved operetta plays April 24 and 26, 2026 at Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando.
Opera Orlando has released rehearsal footage of THE MERRY WIDOW, Franz Lehár's effervescent operetta now playing two performances only at Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Featuring English lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and English dialogue by Grant Preisser, the production is directed by Grant Preisser and conducted by Noam Aviel leading the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, with choreography by Mila Makarova and dancers from the Orlando Ballet. The operetta follows the beautiful and wealthy Hanna Glawari as scheming ambassadors, rampant rendezvous, and old flames conspire to determine who she will marry next.
The star-studded cast is headlined by soprano Sarah Joy Miller, recently seen in HBO's The Gilded Age, in the title role of Hanna Glawari. She is joined by Grammy Award-winning baritone Gabriel Preisser as Count Danilo, Andy Papas as Baron Zeta, Alexandra Kzeski as Valencienne, and Adrian Kramer as Camille. The cast also includes Laura Hodos, Ardean Landhuis, John Teixeira, Toni Barnes, Carrie Tyndal, Logan Tarwater, and Ruoxi Bian.
The creative team includes Jen J. Madison (costume design), Destinee Steele (hair and makeup), and Nate Wheatley (lighting). The production is sung in English with supertitles in English and Spanish and runs approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes with one intermission.
Performances take place Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m. For tickets, visit Opera Orlando online.
