Operetta THE STUDENT PRINCE tickets will make a great holiday gift!
Call Box Office: 416-366-7723 or www.stlc.com

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"DRINK! DRINK! DRINK!"

This rousing refrain was the rage of Broadway in mid-1920s New York.
No doubt it’s a great tune but it had special resonance for young New Yorkers who found themselves deprived of ‘liquid refreshment’ during the heyday of the Prohibition Era in the United States. What better way to protest the closure of bars and beer halls than to lustily applaud the students enjoying life at the Inn of the Golden Apples in Olde Heidelberg.

The Immigration Wave at the Beginning of Last Century

Sigmund Romberg and his family came to New York in 1909 in the first wave of East Europeans immigrating to ‘the New World’ at the dawn of the 20^th century. A gifted pianist, young Romberg had attended university in Vienna where he studied composition and engineering. However, his skills were only moderately appreciated when he arrived in America and his first job was in a pencil factory. He graduated from pencils to playing piano in cafes and bars - most famously Delmonico’s Steak House at 2 William Street in lower Manhatten - where he mixed his own tunes in with the pop hits of the day. The Schubert Brothers came calling and soon he found success as a composer for Al Jolson and the Schubert’s series of revues called The Passing Parade. THE STUDENT PRINCE premiered in 1924 and his lasting fame was assured.

Sigmund Romberg

ALLES GUTE ZUM NEUEN JAHR

Many societies have a festive New Year’s Eve tradition but none more so than in the land of Lehar and Strauss. The New Year’s Eve Party - or Silvesterball in German - is always a seasonal highlight and TOT’s version is now a tradition here in Toronto. HotHouse Restaurant and Bar is our host and a great meal is guaranteed. Following the show at the St Lawrence Centre, there’s dancing, dessert, door prizes and champagne at midnight. Discount packages are available. Don’t Miss It!

Reserve early. Call 416-366-7723
New Year's Eve Gala Package is available through the Box Office: www.stlc.com

JENNIFER TAVERNER

This is a year for music theatre for Jennifer. First it was Rose in STREET SCENE for VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert, then a Gilbert & Sullivan Evening with the Niagara Symphony. Soon she’ll be in rehearsal for TOT as the Prince’s sweetheart Kathie in THE STUDENT PRINCE and in the new year she sings the saucy maid Adele in DIE FLEDERMAUS for the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and on tour.

ERNESTO RAMIREZ IS OUR STUDENT PRINCE
Singers are always students and constantly strive to improve their technique. Ernesto Ramírez spent time in Mexico last year with his mentor, famed tenor Ramon Vargas, and also sang roles including Tony in WEST SIDE STORY in his home country. Ramírez holds a degree from the University of Guadalajara where he played the clarinet and he studied voice at Boston University and with Francisco Araiza in Europe. TOT fans fell for his charms in THE LAND OF SMILES and LUISA FERNANDA.

CURTIS SULLIVAN IS BACK!

Curtis Sullivan returned to his theatre roots this summer at the Stratford Festival in the hit production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Early in his career he starred in THE GONDOLIERS also at Stratford and was featured at the San Francisco Opera in THE MERRY WIDOW. TOT patrons remember his Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY, Charlie in LADY IN THE DARK and Colonel Popov in THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER. Now he adds Dr. Engel, the Prince’s tutor to his gallery of TOT roles.

(Left) Curtis Sullivan in TOT's LAND OF SMILES 2013

SEEING IS BELIEVING

Back in 1954, the great tenor Mario Lanza was to star in the movie version of THE STUDENT PRINCE. However, he had neglected to back away from his pasta dishes fast enough and the producers had no digital means to slim him down for the role of the young prince. His voice however, was perfect and so we get to see the glamorous Edmund Purdom romancing his girlfriend Kathie in the moonlight, while the golden voice of Mario Lanza filled the theatre with the beautiful strains of the ‘Serenade’... although Purdom was just lip-syncing!!!

A MUSICAL DRAMA!!!
Conductor Derek Bate always makes a detailed study of the orchestra parts for the TOT musicals and expected to have plenty of time with the score for THE STUDENT PRINCE. Much to his surprise, the orchestra parts wound up in Cambodia rather than Canada. That was some typo or else the quality of penmanship has slipped noticeably!

Performance Dates:

December 27 (Mat) - 3 pm
December 28 - 8 pm
December 31 - 8 pm
January 2 (Mat) - 3 pm
January 3 (Mat) - 3 pm

Toronto Operetta Theatre gratefully acknowledges support by: