Lisa Vroman Steps Into Role Of Rosalinde In DIE FLEDERMAUS

Opera New Jersey has announced that Broadway star Lisa Vroman will be stepping into the lead role of Rosalinde in itsupcoming performances of Johann Strauss, Jr.'s delightful operetta Die Fledermaus.

Regretfully, Ruth Ann Swenson has withdrawn due to illness. "The role of Rosalinde requires a singer with vivacious exuberance, commandingstage presence, and incredible panache along with vocal acrobatics," said Scott Altman, General and Artistic Director, "Lisa Vroman brings all those characteristicsand a completely fresh dimension to the role; Opera New Jersey is thrilled to bringan artist of her caliber to our audiences."

Ms. Vroman has the unique distinction of being among the first to play both Fantineand Cosette in Les Miserables, garnered Theatre Critics' awards for her record-breaking run of Christine in Phantom of the Opera, and sang Johanna in the Emmyaward winning production Sweeney Todd in Concert with Patty Lupone, GeorgeHearn, and the San Francisco Symphony. Some additional highlights to herextensive career include Laurie in The Tender Land, Josephine in HMS Pinafore, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, and on separate occasions, performances for QueenElizabeth, former President Clinton, and former Vice President Al Gore.

With a repertoire that ranges from Stravinsky to Weill to Broadway, Ms. Vroman is a frequent guest soloist with theater/opera companies and orchestras including SanFrancisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, National, Vancouver, and the BostonPops under Keith Lockhart. Her solo CD, Broadway Classics, features Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe and 47 of San Francisco's finest orchestral players. Opera New Jersey showcases major international talent throughout the state in the Winter Opera Season, providing residents the chance to see world-class talent on local New Jersey stages.

Ms. Vroman will be joining other all-star artists including: Allan Glassman asEisenstein, Tonio DiPaolo as Alfred, Rachele Gilmore as Adele, and AnthonyLaciura as Frosh/Blind. This production, by stage director Ira Siff, features custom dialogue by New Jerseynative, Quade Winter that highlights the comedic elements of the plot.

Maestro Mark Flint will conduct the ONJ Orchestra and Chorus.

Tickets for Opera New Jersey's Die Fledermaus are on sale now.
February 13, 2009 at 7:30pm at McCarter's Matthews Theatre, Princeton Tickets: (609)258-2787 $35-$125 A
dd the exclusive post-performance champagne reception with the cast for $25!
February 20, 2009 at 8pm at Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the PerformingArts, Morristown Tickets: (973)539-8008 $37-$92
February 22, 2009 at 3pm at State Theatre, New Brunswick Tickets: (732)246-SHOW (7469)$35-$90

For more information on Die Fledermaus or on Opera New Jersey, please call (609) 799-7700 or visit www.Opera-NJ.org.

Opera New Jersey is recognized nationally as a leader among regional opera companies, providing high quality opera performances and exceptional educational offerings. Opera New Jersey seeks to stimulate, promote and satisfy interest in opera, build a strong and diverse audience base for the art form and foster the development of emerging artists. Opera New Jersey recently received its third straight prestigious Citation of Excellence from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA).

The Citation is NJSCA's highest honor andrecognizes arts organizations that "exhibit the highest standards of excellence in artistry, operations, governance, public benefit and fulfillment of areas of Council priority." Opera New Jersey received its first citation in 2006, during their first year of eligibility. Mostrecently, Opera New Jersey was honored with a prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Challenge American grant, in recognition of its outstanding educational programming. This season is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on theArts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Photo: Tim Hausmann and Lisa Vroman

 

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