The Chocolate Soldier

The Chocolate Soldier is the operetta by Oscar Straus from 1909 based on George Bernard Shaw’s play, Arms and the Man. The New York run of 296 performances was followed by a London run of 500 performances. The story depicts the follies of war and includes the songs “Falling in Love,” “The Letter Song,” “Thank the Lord the War is Over,” and “Bulgarians.” Thomas Mills directs, with musical direction by James Stenborg.

It is Bulgaria in 1885 and there is a war with Serbia. These foes have been at each other on and off for quite some time but both are so incompetent that victory is ever in doubt. Lt. Bumerli, a Swiss cook in the Serbian Army, tries escaping from the hostilities by hiding in an enemy home. He stumbles into the bedroom of Nadina and is discovered by her, her mother – Aurelia, and her cousin – Mascha. This ferocious combatant (with chocolates instead of bullets in his cartridge box) is so persuasive that all three woman conspire to hide him from their returning Bulgarian "warriors" – Nadina’s blustering father, her conceited fiancé and the head of the Bulgarian army.

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