Pacific Opera Project opens its sixth season with a rowdy production of Franz Lehar’s “Die lustige Witwe,” set in 1860s Gold Country California via an English book and libretto by Josh & Kelsey Shaw. The production will feature a new arrangement for chamber orchestra written and conducted by music director Stephen Karr.

POP will once again transform the historic Highland Park Ebell Club, this time into an Old West saloon hall. Table seating for four or two is available and comes with a bottle of wine and snacks. Traditional rows of seating are also available. For the first time, all seating is reserved. Ever inventive and never wanting to do the same thing twice, POP will test the limits of the Ebell Club by flipping the audience around and building a two story set on the ground floor allowing for more playing room and better visibility for the audience. The orchestra will be behind the set and supertitles will be projected for the musical numbers.

“Die lustige Witwe” was composer Franz Lehar’s first major success and his most famous operetta with beloved melodies and unforgettable waltzes. The operetta premiered in Vienna on Dec. 30, 1905 and has enjoyed immense international success since then. It has seen several English translations and various film adaptations, but none quite like this. Set in the fictional town of Goldless, California, the Widder Gladberry is pursued by railroad men from New York City anxious to get their hands on her gold and land. Mayor Ezekiel Zeta is bound and determined to save the little town from the perils of big city life that come with the railroad and enlists the services of confirmed bachelor Sheriff Danny Loewe to fend off the would-be-suitors and to capture the Widder’s hand in marriage himself if it comes to that. With the mayor distracted, his wife Valentine struggles to deny the advances of one of the railroad men, Camille Robinson. Much comedy, a little drama, and a lot of dancing ensue amidst characters audiences will (almost) recognize from movie and TV Westerns of years gone by.

Performances are 8 p.m. on Feb. 26, Feb. 27, March 3, March 4, March 5, March 11 and March 12 at The Ebell Club of Highland Park 131 S. Ave 57, Los Angeles.

Tickets are general admission $15-30; table for two – $65, table for 4 – $120. Tables include a bottle of wine and plate of appetizers

For further information, visit www.pacificoperaproject.com or email info@pacificoperaproject.com.