BUTLER TWP — “Die Fledermaus” has very little to do with a flying mouse and everything to do with intrigue, mistaken identity and practical jokes.

The German operetta, penned by Johann Strauss, is being performed in English translation, and will appear for two nights only at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater.

It is the first time an operetta has been performed at BC3 and adding to the excitement is the fact that so many of the college’s faculty and students are involved with all aspects of the operetta.

The Blazing Star Choral Society and the Butler County Symphony also are participating in the operetta, with several of their members having key musical roles.

Director Maggie Stock said the opera, which was written in 1874, has been updated to reflect 2005 in Butler.

Several students are in the operetta, including BC3 freshman Michelle Campbell in a lead role as Sally.

“We also have several students who are working behind the scenes, too, on set decorations, lighting and production,” Stock said. “For the first time, we have students involved in all angles of (a production).”

Tim Kutch, an elementary education major at BC3, will appear in the second act as the party entertainment. Kutch, an experienced magician, will perform a magic act.

The operetta will be performed at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with tickets $15 in advance or at the door.

A dessert reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. prior to Friday’s performance in the theater lobby. A dinner is being held Saturday night prior to that performance, but reservations can no longer be made.

While its name translated literally means “the flying mouse,” the story is about a character, Einstein, who is sentenced to jail for eight days for a minor offense, thanks to his bungling lawyer.Einstein’s friend, Dr. Falke, tries to cheer him up by throwing him a party that instead turns into a practical joke.The party is when many local celebrities and even some familiar faces from the college will make their guest appearances.BC3 president Cynthia Azari and her husband, Bijan, will be guests, as well as state Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th, and his wife, Paul Krenitsky, Carl Nanni, James Radnor, Jonathan Stueic and Ed Wadding.John Kearney, vice president of student services, will serve up the guests at the party as one of two waiters. BC3 student Brodie Warren will act as the other waiter.Kearney said he is excited to be a part of the opera and to appear in such an important scene.“The party scene is the biggest scene in the opera,” Kearney said. “It’s very important to the whole story.”Stock agreed, adding the “see and be seen” aspect is highly emphasized in this opera, so the party scene is crucial to expressing that idea.Act III opens with the reality that the practical joke had made Einstein late to report for his jail sentence, landing him in jail.Stock said she is excited about the production and is glad to see so many BC3 students and staff involved.“We’ve got a tremendous interest in making this happen,” she said.For tickets or information, call 724-287-8711, Ext. 429.