- Music Director and Conductor Brett Scott
- Chorus Master and Assistant Conductor Gregory Miller*
- Rehearsal Pianists: Soojin Kim, Samuel Martin, Hyewon Shin
- Director Amy Johnson
- Choreographer/Movement Coach Susan Moser
- Producer Kenneth Shaw
- Faculty Assistance from Stuart Skelton, Elliot Madore
- Graduate Assistant and Supertitles Erin Alcorn*
- Costume Designer Corey Cochran* with Kenneth Shaw
- Sound Designer Chris Berger*
- Production Stage Manager Rosie Burns Pavlik*
- Props Master Madisen Frazier*
*CCM Student
Orpheus in the Underworld will last 95 minutes with a 15-minute intermission between Act 2 and Act 3.
By Amy Johnson
Sometimes we all need a good French farce. Its mélange of mistaken identities, caricature, disguises, magical elements, breaking of fourth walls and healthy doses of indecency give us permission to take nothing seriously, other than the laughs.
Special thanks to the CCM Voice faculty, Donna Loewy, Kathleen Kelly, Robert Doak and Vernon Hartman.
Act I A remote, exotic resort for the gods
In the prologue, Public Opinion sets the tone in the manner of a Greek Chorus, assuring us that the audience is safe from the ensuing mayhem. We then meet the misbehaving Eurydice, followed by her husband, Orpheus. It quickly becomes clear that they both have extramarital interests and would gladly divorce if not for tarnishing their reputations. As an alternative, Orpheus plans to dispose of Eurydice's lover - Aristaeus, who, in fact, is Pluto in disguise. When Eurydice meets her demise instead of Aristaeus, his identity is revealed and she is willingly swept away to the underworld.
Orpheus is elated when he learns the news but is immediately reprimanded by Public Opinion and charged with descending to the underworld to retrieve his wife (whether he wants her or not!).
Act II Mount Olympus, home of Jupiter
While some gods are sleeping, others who have been frolicking during the night attempt to sneak back into bed before being caught. Diana's entrance is quick and dramatic, and she laments the loss of her love, Acteon. Jupiter admits to interfering with the affair by turning him into a stag. This leads to a family feud regarding Eurydice's disappearance. Mercury arrives in time to momentarily lower the tension, if not the temperature. However, he brings with him Pluto, who Jupiter believes is responsible for Eurydice's disappearance. Their confrontation is interrupted by civil unrest which leads to a condemnation of Jupiter's past indiscretions. The crisis mounts with the untimely arrival of Public Opinion and Orpheus. Orpheus identifies Pluto as the one who took his wife - exonerating Jupiter. Jupiter declares that Pluto must return Eurydice to Orpheus. To ensure this happens, Jupiter will go to Hell himself to retrieve her. The gods are fascinated and decided to make a family outing of it.
Eurydice complains of being abandoned in a tacky suite with no internet. Truly Hell. John Styx professes his admiration and sings of his rule as King of Boeotia. As he whisks her away they are interrupted by the approach of Pluto and Jupiter. John Styx quickly secures Eurydice. Upon their entrance, Pluto continues to claim his innocence and invites Jupiter to a party. Jupiter doubles back, determined to find Eurydice and with the help of Cupid and The Love Police, slithers his way through the keyhole of her room and seduces her. They plan a rendezvous at the party and thereafter an escape.
Act IV The Underworld Reprised (even lower)
A party set in one's worst nightmare - superficial luxury and never-ending commercialized holidays. As the guests praise debauchery, a mysterious bacchante arrives and sings a hymn to Bacchus. Courtly dances follow, but they quickly ignite into a can-can orchestrated by the otherworldly Lady Phaedra. Pluto prevents the escape of Jupiter and Eurydice but is exposed as her kidnapper. Jupiter challenges Orpheus to lead Eurydice out of the underworld without looking back at her lest he lose her. The gods place bets. Orpheus fails. Public Opinion is scandalized. Pluto is hopeful that he will retain Eurydice, but Jupiter has other plans. He will put her on The Voice.
