The Western Plains Opera brings back the comedic operetta, “Die Fledermaus,” to Minot State University’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall next weekend.

The opera will be in English translation as most Western Plains Opera performances are. The performances have monitors on both sides of the stage for captioning as well, said Eric Furuseth, president of the opera company.

“Die Fledermaus” is comedic and celebratory and is traditionally performed on New Year’s Eve in a Viennese style, said Furuseth. This is the third time Furuseth has been involved in the operetta and 10 years since its last rendition. It has been one of the more enjoyable operas, as it is humorous and more spoken than sung.

The cast of professional leads who are coming have all performed through Minot’s Western Plains previously and enjoy Minot and the community, Furuseth said. David Cangelosi, who plays Eisenstein in this season’s rendition of “Die Fledermaus,” has performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

The performers have tremendous credentials and are excellent professionals, Furuseth said. This year’s bonus has been having a surplus of funds to put towards the full production. Last year, the opera company did not have its regularly scheduled season. This year’s opera is a $50,000, full-stage production and it should be a whopper of a show, said Furuseth.

The operetta is a champagne-driven, frothy toast to a new century, he said. A prankster, a chamber-maiden in disguise, fun, games and a ballroom scene during the performance could literally bring anything, Furuseth said.

“We really hope people will come out and enjoy it, because you will really enjoy it,” he said.

“Die Fledermaus,” is a two-night performance on Sept. 9 and 10, at 7 p.m. Balcony tickets are $30 or $35 and the main floor is $25 to $30, depending on the seats, and student tickets are $10. To purchase and find out more information visit www.wpopera.org.