Tales from the Manhattan Woods

Tales from the Manhattan Woods, with book and lyrics by Frederick Stroppel, is an updated version of Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. Mr. Phebus served as Music Director and conducted from the piano. The show completed a successful 10 week limited run as an Off-Broadway production in January 2004 at the Wings Theatre in Greenwich Village. 

 "The Upper East Side's answer to Rent." (Village Voice)

The New York Times (by Neil Genzlinger):

"Mr. Stroppel has taken the Fledermaus characters and basic story and transplanted them to modern-day New York. Eisenstein, the philandering, jail-bound husband of the tale, is here a real-estate tycoon who is headed to the pokey for slugging a photographer. Rosalinda, his wife, is, as in the original, still tempted to dally with her old flame, Alfredo, but the crucial party invitation that sets events in motion arrives by fax. Adele, the Eisensteins' maid, thinks at one point that she is auditioning for a film.  ...(A prison guard, overhearing Alfredo singing his head off, mutters, 'These people come to this country — you'd think they'd learn to sing in English.')" 

"the show...engage[s] in the far more sophisticated science of self-deprecation. Mr. Phebus provides a moment of this right at the start with his disrespectful treatment of the overture, and there are a few funny knowing winks later. "

"...there is fine singing to be heard in this show, and at close quarters.."

"The principal performers all have legitimate opera voices"

The New Yorker

"Frederick Stroppel has written a new book and lyrics for Strauss's Die Fledermaus, turning the comic opera into a campy romp..."

Marjorie Gunner - President, Outer Critics Circle:

"Musicals off-Broadway are chasing Broadway's race toward awards.  A lovely one popped up at the Wings Theatre in Greenwich Village....The presentation...selected a splendid cast, actually a rotating cast of thirty-three appearing in separate performances, all giving vent to thrilling operatic voices."

"Bravo all hands, especially the hands of the musical director [Stephen Phebus] at the piano!"

Backstage (by Harry Forbes):

"Fledermaus it is, and decently sung to boot."

"Stephen Phebus proved a deft one-man orchestra on piano."

Staten Island Advance (by Michael J. Fressola):

"[Opera New York]  updates Die Fledermaus with bold naughty glee."   

"1890s Vienna glittered with beautiful women and dashing men, flowed with Champagne and schlag (whipped cream) and resounded with Strauss.  Just like New York 2004... Or so it seems for a few hours at the Wings Theater where Tales From the Manhattan Woods updates and relocates Johann Strauss's Die Fledermaus with irresistible glee."

"Frederick Stroppel, the crazy madcap lyricist behind this transformation has written deft new lyrics.."

"Director...  Stephen Phebus (music) handle[s] things capably..."

"Part of the pleasure of this Tales From the Manhattan Woods ... is hearing good voices in a small place at close range."  

Gay City News (by Christopher Byrne):

"Talent to the Delightful Rescue - Strauss spin-off may be implausible, but the singing is a hearty balm "

"... the new book and lyrics by Frederick Stroppel ..., at times goofily inspired.... works in ways that one would not expect. There is an overriding wit at work,...... the buoyancy of the evening—not to mention the undertaking of what is easily a monumental task—renders moot most criticism."

 

"The entire first scene, in fact, seems like The Devil Wears Prada meeting I Love Lucy.” 

 

"The performances by the superlative cast are what really made this show work. The major roles were triple-cast, just like at the Metropolitan Opera, and the singers were vocally and comedically sensational, a rare combination that made the entire evening...... fresh and lively."

 

"Musical director Stephen Phebus was perhaps the hardest-working member of the ensemble, playing the piano adaptation of the score with seemingly limitless energy. "

 

"Heaven only knows what possessed Stroppel and the Wings Theater to undertake this project....Yet given the fun and sheer entertainment of the evening—once more demonstrating New York’s rich supply of talent—one is very glad they did."

Nassau Herald (by Arlene Epstein):

"The show bubbles with wit and has a gorgeous lilting score played to perfection by musical director Stephen Phebus"

Town & Village  (by Gene Kilik)

"Set to the original music, Frederick Stroppel's book and lyrics don't disappoint."

"It is over the top and give the splendid cast of opera-trained singers the opportunity to ham it up to their hearts content."

"This cast can act as well as sing."

"All are excellent singers and seem delighted to be given the opportunity to camp it up."

OGGI (di Mario Fratti):

In un teatrino... danno anche un'opera, la ben note Die Fledermaus.  Nuove titolo Tales from the Manhattan Woods. E'aggiornata con liriche e battute di Frederick Stroppel.  Las musica e naturalmente quella di Johann Strauss Jr.  Al piano, Stephen Phebus.  ... Il marito è Jeffrey Reynolds.  Val a divertirsi per un'ultima notte prima di andare in prigione.  La moglie è la sexy Rosalinde (Elena Heimur). Le note complicazioni: 'labile segretaria Adele (Elizabeth Hillebrand) che cnata molto bene la moderna canzone "A fax from Sally" va anche lei in case Orlofsky.  L'amante di Rosalinde è l'italiano Alfredo (Kyle Bradford). Finisce in prigione al posto del mariot tradito.  Gran finale in prigione dove il marito è smascherato dalla moglie.  La moglie trionfa, al solito.  Buone voci, buona regia.  Una divertente serata con prezzi regionevoli.  Meno di venti dollari.