Flirting, disguises and comedy make ‘Die Fledermaus’ not your average opera.

‘Die Fledermaus,’ which translates from German to “The Bat,” takes place at a ball in Vienna in the late 1800s. The basic plot revolves around a revenge joke played on one of the characters as partygoers in the show encounter deceit, mistaken identities and practical jokes.

Every year, the theatre department chooses shows that will fit well together for the next season. Director Mitra Sadeghpour said this particular operetta was chosen because it worked well with the other shows of the season, but is one that she has always wanted to direct.

“It’s been on my list to do for several years,” she said. “I wanted to do it because I love the music and I think the story is completely charming.”

Preparation for the show has been in motion since April of last year, when this piece was chosen, Sadeghpour said. The production team consisting of faculty members collaborated on the specifics of the show over the summer, and auditioned students in the fall, she said.

Nicole Korbisch Klink, a senior comprehensive vocal performance major plays the role of Adele, a chambermaid. Klink said student preparations for the show started over winter break.

Performers received their music scores and lines and had them mostly memorized by the time they returned for the spring semester, she said.

Rehearsals started right away, Klink said, lasting about three hours a day, six days a week.

The last week of preparation was devoted to full dress rehearsals, with Monday marking the first rehearsal in full costume with the full pit orchestra and conductors, Korbisch Klink said.

It’s not just theatre and music students involved in making this show happen, Korbisch Klink said. The dresses used for costumes come from the Chippewa Valley community. Old wedding and prom dresses were collected and combined to make 1800s ball gowns, she said. Students from the art department fashioned a chandelier made from straws and paper clips to be used on the set, she said.

“It’s been a huge collaborate event across multiple disciplines which has been really cool,” Korbisch said. “It’s been a fun process and it’d be great to share with people.”

Sadeghpour said students in particular should come see the show to learn what their fellow students are working on.

“I think students should come see the work of their peers because they are not going to believe the professional quality of these singers and actors and musicians,” Sadeghpour said. “A classical singer’s voice is so resonant that you can feel your skin vibrate as they are singing.”

Senior Abigail Doering, who plays Adele on alternating nights, said the experience was a perfect farewell production before graduation. She said she has just focused on each rehearsal as a separate experience to be cherished. The show has also shown her how valuable her education has been.

“Just seeing the journey I’ve come through as a student here and realizing all the stuff I really have learned, I want to remember everything,” she said. “This has been my most special moment here.”

The production will open at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Gantner Concert Hall in Haas. For students, tickets cost $5 and $10 for faculty and staff.