Romberg’s ‘Student Prince’ operetta performed July 22-23 at Music by the Lake

Williams Bay, Wis., July 13, 2006 — “The Student Prince,” a Sigmund Romberg operetta, continues the sixth annual Music by Lake series on Saturday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 23 at 4 p.m. at George Williams College of Aurora University overlooking Geneva Lake.

Performances are on the Allyn Pavilion for the Performing Arts stage on the campus at 350 Constance Blvd., Williams Bay.

In addition to showcasing several young stars as principals, the opera’s cast includes a six-member second cast, and three supporting cast members. A 49-voice opera chorus and a 32-piece orchestra complete this ensemble.

“The Student Prince” was Sigmund Romberg’s most successful work. Now considered a classic, the operetta tells the endearing story of the prince who enjoyed a taste of college life before becoming king of mythical Karlsburg.

The story opens in the palace at Karlsberg, in 1860. Prince Karl Franz, heir to the throne, is bored with royal life in his native land. With his tutor, Dr. Engle, he visits the old German university town of Heidelberg. The prince, now incognito, visits an inn with his new friends and meets Kathie, the innkeeper’s daughter. Their friendship ripens into love but their life together is ill fated. The news arrives that the Prince’s father has become ill, and he must return to Karlsberg to ascend the throne and wed Princess Margaret for reasons of state.

Running for 608 performances on Broadway, with revivals in the 1930s and 1940s, the operetta’s glorious melodies and superb male choral singing combine to create one of the finest and most enjoyable works of its kind.

Cast members are:

• Cincinnati, Ohio: Todd Patrick (Prince Karl Franz)
• Brooklyn, N.Y.: Elizabeth Hillebrand (Kathie)
• Chicago, Ill.: Tony Barton (Lutz), Kiwi Callahan (Kathie, second cast), Bill Hamblin (Baron Arnheim), Brad Jungwirth (Dr. Engel), Ben Snyder (Hubert), Jennings Wynn (Captain Tarnitz), and Lisa Yuen (Princess Margaret)
• Ann Arbor, Mich.: Michael Ryan (Detlef and Prince Karl Franz, second cast)
• Waukesha, Wis.: Dale Porter (Von Asterberg)
• Woodstock, Ill.: Michael Hoag (Lucas)
• Aurora, Ill.: Richard Westphal (Von Mark)
• Milwaukee, Wis.: Stan Carrico (Detlef, second cast), Eleanor Quint (Grand Duchess Anastasia)
• Elk Grove Village, Ill.: Neal Medina (Ruder)
• Elkhorn, Wis.: Brianne Sura (Gretchen)
• Delavan, Wis.: Catherine McQueen (Countess Leyden)
• Naperville, Ill.: Mik Dempsey (Von Asterberg, second cast)
• Madison, Wis.: Daniel Weinstein (Dr. Engel, second cast)
• Stevens Point, Wis.: Jeffrey Bakken (Lucas, second cast)

For tickets, visit the Web site at www.aurora.edu/mbtl or call 866-843-5200, toll free.

The 2006 Music by the Lake concert series is generously supported by presenting sponsor Keefe Real Estate; platinum sponsors AT&T and Gage Marine and Lake Geneva Cruise Line; gold sponsors The Abbey Resort, Aurora Health Care, Fairwyn Development & Investment, Gilbert’s Fine Dining, Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Interlaken Resort & Country Spa and Scherrer Construction, Inc.; and silver sponsors Arts Midwest, Balestrieri Environmental and Development, Inc., Community Shoppers, Inc., Hillcrest of Lake Geneva, LaSalle Bank Wealth Management, M&I Wealth Management, locally-owned Mid-America Bank, Saavedra Gehlhausen Architects, Sodexho Campus Services and WLKG 96.1 The Lake.

Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. The university is comprised of two campuses: a 27-acre campus in Aurora, Ill. and the 241-acre George Williams College on Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wis. Approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students are enrolled each year on the university’s Illinois and Wisconsin campuses, and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels.

George Williams College of Aurora University in Williams Bay, Wis., offers 12 academic programs, unique conference facilities, an 18-hole golf course, recreation activities, and the annual Music by the Lake series.