Presented by the School of Music with the Ball State Symphony Orchestra led by Tomasz Golka, "Die Fledermaus" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 and 31. Tickets are general admission and cost $10.

Since its premiere in Vienna in 1874, "Die Fledermaus" has become one of the best-known and best-loved operettas in the world. Traditionally presented in the vernacular of the country in which it is being performed, this production will be sung in German (with English supertitles) with the dialogue spoken in English.

"Audiences really enjoy this operetta, and it gives our students a chance to perform in the language for which Strauss intended his delightful music," said director Craig Priebe. "Since operas around the world are performed in Italian, German and French, it's important for the students to be proficient in these languages."

The operetta focuses on two men, Dr. Falke and his good friend, Gabriel Eisenstein. Several years before the story takes place, the two attended a masquerade, Eisenstein as a butterfly and Falke as a bat. After a wild night, Eisenstein left a passed-out Falke on a park bench. After awaking the next morning, a humiliated Falke was forced to walk home in his bat costume, earning him the nickname of Dr. Fledermaus (Bat). "Die Fledermaus" tells how Falke gains his revenge for that night.

Priebe describes the operetta as a classic full of high-quality music and great fun. The operetta is a crowd favorite around the world and has long been a New Year's Eve standard, he said.

Playing Frosch in the second and third acts, a role given to the top comedic actor in the host town, is Bill Jenkins, interim director of Ball State's Theatre and Dance Department. Legendary comedians Dom Deluise and Danny Kaye have also played Frosch.

Along with plenty of laughs, the audience can expect a chance to win prizes. A raffle will be held both evenings and will include a $75 gift certificate for Black and Company Fine Jewelers, a gift packet from the Winona Lakes Shops valued at more than $200, a Ball State theatre subscription for 2004-05, meal certificates to various restaurants and Blockbuster gift cards.

The Emens box office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performances. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster location or charged by phone at (765) 644-3131.

(Note to editors: For more information, contact Priebe at (765) 285-5404 or cpriebe@bsu.edu.)