Ridgefield Playhouse to Present Lehar's THE MERRY WIDOW with Renee Fleming Live in HD Next Month

Watching an opera from the Met at The Ridgefield Playhouse when it is Live in HD is as exhilarating as it gets! Plus, there is the bonus of behind-the-scenes tours of the revered Metropolitan Opera House with insightful commentary by some of the genre's most celebrated singers. Lehár's The Merry Widow stars Renée Fleming on Saturday, January 17, at 6 p.m. Bernard's will serve a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner, the night of this event; 20 West Lane, Ridgefield; reservations suggested. The Live in HD Series is underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Sabina and Walter Slavin and Taylor Zemo Foundation with support from The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery.

The great Renée Fleming stars as the beguiling femme fatale who captivates all of Paris in Lehár's enchanting operetta, The Merry Widow, seen in a new staging by Broadway virtuoso director and choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers, Oklahoma!, Contact). Stroman and her design team of Julian Crouch (Satyagraha, The Enchanted Island) and costume designer William Ivey Long (Cinderella, Grey Gardens, Hairspray) have created an art-nouveau setting that climaxes with singing and dancing grisettes at the legendary Maxim's. Nathan Gunn co-stars as Danilo and Kelli O'Hara is Valencienne. Andrew Davis conducts.

For tickets ($25 adults, $18 each in the Live in HD series, $20 seniors & $15 students by calling the box office, free for students 18 & under by showing ID at box office), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.