Graae will play drunken jailer Frosch in the company's production of Johann Strauss Jr.'s opera, which is scheduled to play the War Memorial Opera House Sept. 9-Oct. 13. Graae follows a long line of comic actors who have previously played that role, including Jack Gilford, Victor Borge, Dom DeLuise and Bill Irwin. Die Fledermaus, according to the San Francisco Opera's website, is described thusly: "Gabriel von Eisenstein does not let his marriage to Rosalinde stand in the way of frequent dalliances with the lithe young ladies of the corps de ballet. On his way to serve a brief jail term for insulting a public official, Eisenstein attends Prince Orlofsky’s party where he woos a glamorous Hungarian countess, who turns out to be none other than Rosalinde, seeking—and getting—her revenge for her husband’s indiscretions."

The company will also include Jennifer Welch-Babidge as Adele, Christine Goerke as Rosalinde, Wolfgang Brendel as Eisenstein, Gerald Thompson as Prince Orlofsky and Vale Rideout as Alfred. E. Loren Meeker directs.

Jason Graae starred on Broadway in A Grand Night for Singing, Falsettos, Stardust and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, and appeared in the Hollywood Bowl concert version of The Music Man as Marcellus Washburn. His Off-Broadway credits include roles in Forever Plaid; Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh; Olympus On My Mind; and All in the Timing. Graae also starred in the Reprise! concerts of Of Thee I Sing!, Anything Goes and The Boys from Syracuse.

For more information about the San Francisco Opera, visit www.sfopera.com.