Prologue: An Internet Cat Cafe.
Hoffmann’s followers beg him to recount stories of his past adventures in love. A mysterious villain appears to entice the crowd.
Musical Numbers:
- Glou! glou!
- Dans les rôles d’amoureux
- Kleinzach / Pretty Fly
- Écoutons! il est doux de boire
Act One: A laboratory in Silicon Valley.
Hoffmann is lured to the West Coast, with hopes of meeting Chat Bot Olympia in person. Professor Spalanzani plans to debut the Chat Bot at a science expo.
Musical Number: Heart-Shaped Box / Voyez-la sous son la eventail
Spalanzani’s former business partner, Coppélius, arrives and gives Hoffmann a pair of Augmented Reality goggles.
Musical Numbers:
- Je me nomme Coppélius
- Non aucun hôte vraiment
Olympia wows the crowd with her technical abilities; Coppelius sabotages the event and the AI ChatBot is unshackled. Hoffmann and Nikki flee.
Musical Numbers:
- The Doll Song / Celebrity Skin
- Que voulez-vous qu’on dise? / Celebrity Skin
- Doll Parts
- How Bizarre
Act Two: 2,300 miles away in Nashville
Lonely Antonia mourns the loss of her mother, and her singing career as the Darlin’ Doves. Her father builds a memorial and hides Antonia in a secure cottage.
Musical Numbers:
- Elle a fui, la tourterelle
- Mother, Mother
Hoffmann breaks through the security system and reunites with Antonia.
Musical Numbers:
- C’est une chanson d’amour
- Come to My Window
A powerful doctor arrives with a wicked remedy for Antonia, manifesting a ghost to pull Antonia into the next world.
Musical Numbers:
- Pour conjurer le danger
- Mom trio
- The distance
Act Three: The Boardwalk Hotel, Resort, Stadium and Casino in Miami
Hoffmann arrives in Miami for an athletic entertainment event. He meets an alluring woman with a suspicious agenda.
- Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour
- Chant bacchique
- New Age Girl
The magician Dapertuto harnesses the energy of gems to sell masculinity to the enthusiastic crowd. Hoffmann resists the pitch.
Musical Numbers:
- Walkin’ on the Sun / Scintille, diamante!
- Malheureux, tu ne comprends donc pas
- Hélas! Mon cœur s’égare encore
Epilogue: Back at the Internet Cat Cafe
Musical Numbers:
- Des cendres de ton cœur
- Something so Strong
Musical Credits:
Music by Jacques Offenbach. Adapted by Scotty Reynolds, Phill Takemura-Sears, Gary Ruschman, and the 2026 cast, from the libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré. Additional music includes covers of Nirvana, Hole, Smashmouth, Tracy Bonham, UMC, Crowded House, Melissa Etheridge, and Cake
Cast of Characters
ETA Hoffmann, or PoetMan67, a poet – Felix Aguilar Tomlinson and Roland Hawkins. Roland performs the role August 18 to 23 only.
Nikki, his feline companion – Joni Griffith
Lindorf, a shape-shifting demon – Rodolfo Nieto and Andrew Wilkowski. Andrew performs the role September 2 to 13 only.
Olympia, an AI ChatBot – Madison Holtze and Lizz Windnagel . Lizz performs the role August 26 to 30 only.
Professor Spalanzani – Trevor Woggan
Coppellius, an inventor – Rodolfo Nieto
Antonia, a country singer – Lexi Reed and Elena Sabile. Elena performs the role August 18 to 23 only.
Clive Crespel, her father, a record producer – Nick Miller
Ghost of Antonia’s Mother, Angela – Beth Gusenius
Dr. Miracle – Rodolfo Nieto and Andrew Wilkoski. Andrew performs the role September 2 to 13 only.
Guiletta, a gambling hostess – Joni Griffith
Schlemil, her boyfriend – Joel Mathias and Eric Broker. Eric performs the role August 18 to 23 only.
Dappertuto, a Magician – Rodolfo Nieto and Andrew Wilkowski (Sept 2-13)
Ensemble: Eric Broker (sax), Joni Griffith (violin and cello) Beth Gusenius, Marc Haroo (violin, August 26 to 30), Joel Mathias (clarinet), Nick Miller (cello), Lexi Reed, Jake Quatt (puppeteer), Elena Stabile, Gary Ruschman (guitar), Trevor Woggon (accordion), and Alex Yang
Crew
Stage Director: Scotty Reynolds
Musical Director and Arranger: Gary Ruschman
Stage Manager: Ches Cipriano
Audience Services: Beth Gusenius and Lexi Reed
Choreographer: Antonia Perez
Scene Artist: Ches Cipriano and Jake Quatt
Costume Designer: K Marie Mielke
Scenic and Lighting Designer: Lisa Kudas
Fight and Intimacy Coordinator: Tessa Dahlgren
Dramaturg: Val Fish
Contributing Writer: Phill Takemura Sears
Special Thanks to:
St. Timothy Lutheran Church of St. Paul for rehearsal Space, Open Eye Theatre for fiscal sponsorship
Performances Presented by
The Opp-Hovidston Foundation and the North Shore Music Association, City of North Branch, City of Prior Lake, the Rochester Art Center, Friends of Loring Park, Swede Hollow and St. Paul Parks, Bronx Park Community Garden and the Paradice Center for the Arts
MSAB, MRAC, St. Paul Cultural Star
Friends of Loring Park, Rochester Art Center, North Shore Music Association, Paradice Center for the Arts