The young dancers leap through the delightful choreography that propels "The Merry Widow," staged by the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre on Jan. 13 and 15, 2012, at Theatre Cedar Rapids. (Alan Stoker photo)

By Diana Nollen/ SourceMedia Group

CEDAR RAPIDS — “The Merry Widow” is the merry model of a modern major romp in general. It’s the perfect marriage of operatic artistry with musical theater joy and silliness.

Franz Lehar’s light and lively wedding of music, dance and dialogue is set in Victorian turn-of-the-20th century Europe, but the themes are still playing out today on various world stages. The ruling class of a principality on the brink of financial collapse are desperate to find a new husband for a young widow wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. She’s headed to Paris on a lark, and her countrymen are frantic that she’ll fall in love with a fawning Frenchman and moves her fortune  there.

Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre’s winter operetta opened to a full house Friday night (1/13/12) at Theatre Cedar Rapids, with a much-deserved standing ovation for the lead actors — Cedar Rapids native Austin Kness and Sioux City native Laura Pedersen. Both were simply radiant and dazzling in their roles of pickled princely playboy and merry millionairess.

About 50 tickets are left for Sunday’s (1/15/12) 2 p.m. matinee. Grab them while you can.

The musical brilliance of the huge cast, Orchestra Iowa instrumentalists and conductor Daniel Kleinknecht has finally found its match in the gorgeous scenery, lighting, costume and wig design, orchestrated by the deft hand of stage director Marciem Bazell and choreography Amy Blades.

Too often opera actors can seem stilted, uncomfortable in movements that seem to have no real purpose. Not in this show. The choreography — ranging from ballet and folk dance to lovely waltzes, cancans and kicklines — is the thread that weaves it all together.

The six featured dancers kick and leap to stunning heights, especially at the colorful folk festival in Act II. Bazell doesn’t let anyone wander aimlessly through the scenes, which move seamlessly from formal embassy ball to garden pavilion to Maxim’s celebrated, decadent nightclub. Everyone moves with clear intent, from the gleeful crowd scenes to the most intimate moonlit moments.

Wealthy widow Hanna Glawari (Laura Pedersen) finds love in the arms of Count Danilo Danilovitsch (Cedar Rapids native Austin Kness) in "The Merry Widow." (Alan Stoker photo)

The singing is magnificent from the principals right down to the local high school students lucky enough to join the professional cast. Many of the crowd scenes are comedic, in keeping with the lighter nature of an operetta, sure to reel in audience members of all ages who may be new to an opera experience.

Pedersen, a lyric soprano, has gorgeous light tones that float in the night air, but also the strength that complements her character, Hanna Glawari, who grew up poor and is totally aware of the power her newfound station wields.

Kness is every inch her equal as her former beau, Count Danilo Danilovitsch, who fell in love with Hanna years ago, wasn’t allowed to marry beneath his status, but has now been chosen to woo her and her money. He is as handsome as she is beautiful, as assured in his portrayal and just as glorious in his arias as in their intimate duets.

The other love match — a triangle between the old baron (John Muriello), his comely young wife  (Alicia Berneche) and her French beau (John Humphrey) — is equally captivating. While generally given the more humorous situations, they also have moments of great passion that drew shouts of bravo from the opening night crowd.

My only complaint is that the orchestra needs to dial it back a couple of dynamics overall, so the singers can be heard as easily in their mid- and lower ranges as they are when soaring to their shimmering heights.

Still, this is a triumph for all involved, a wonderful bonbon wrapped up in glittering bows.

FAST TAKE

What: Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre presents “The Merry Widow”

When: 2 p.m. Jan. 15, 2012

Where: Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE

Tickets: $20 to $55 at Theatre Cedar Rapids Box Office, (319) 366-8591 or www.theatrecr.org

Also: Free curtain talk one hour before performance; live broadcast on Iowa Public Radio at 2 p.m. Jan. 15, 2012 

Information: http://www.cr-opera.org/