Blue Hill Troupe to Stage Gilbert & Sullivan's IOLANTHE, 4/8-16

The Blue Hill Troupe, the only musical theater group in New York City to donate its net proceeds to charity, performs Gilbert & Sullivan's "Iolanthe," April 8 - April 16, at El Teatro of El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street). All proceeds from the Blue Hill Troupe's production will benefit the Children's Cancer & Blood Foundation.

Tickets to "Iolanthe" are on sale now and range from $28.00 - $100.00. (Payment in excess of $20 per ticket is tax deductible to the extent provided by law.) They can be purchased at http://tinyurl.com/Iolanthe2016 or by calling 212-988-2012. Performances are April 8, April 15 and April 16 at 8:00 PM, April 9 and April 16 at 2:00 PM, and April 10 at 3:00 PM.

Blue Hill Troupe's President, Sandy Dickinson, said, "We are especially pleased to present "Iolanthe" to finish our 92nd season, both because it's still as topical today as when it was written, and because it is a great show to introduce young people, like those served by our charity partner, to Gilbert & Sullivan."

In "Iolanthe," a wonderfully wicked and still relevant satire of two-party government, the title character, a fairy, returns to the fold 25 years after being banished from Fairyland for marrying a mortal. She seeks protection for her now-grown son, who is half-fairy and half-mortal, and her Queen grants him a title in the House of Lords. When he falls in love with the fetching young ward of the Lord Chancellor, both Fairyland and Parliament nearly fall to pieces.

The Blue Hill Troupe's production of "Iolanthe" is directed by Gary Slavin, with music direction by Zachary Schwartzman. The production is double cast and features Kelsey Peters, Suzanne R. Taylor, Matt Hughes, Scott R. Smith*, Erik Hanson, Sarah Moulton Faux*, David Loewy, Heather Denny, Jessica Meese, Nancy Blagman, Samuel Silvers, Sydney Ransom, Jane Brendler Büchi, Rich Miller, Win Rutherfurd, William Remmers, Denise Crawfort, Chazmond J. Peacock, Julia Farina, Reanna Flemons, Allison Prince, and Michael Adelstein. (*Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.)

Every year since 1924, the Blue Hill Troupe has come together for a season of revelry celebrating its three great passions: theater, charity and community. The Troupe's efforts are rooted in a tradition of performing a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, and the group also presents a musical theater production as well as a concert series. Over the years, these efforts have raised more than four million dollars in net proceeds that have been given annually to various diverse NYC-based charities. Recent charities include Quality Services for the Autism Community, the GO Project, Carter Burden Center for the Aging, and the "I Have a Dream" Foundation - New York. The Blue Hill Troupe was named International Champions at the 23rd Annual International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate, England, and also earned awards for Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Female Voice, and Best Animated Chorus for their production of Gilbert & Sullivan's "Patience."

The Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation (CCBF) was created in 1952 to support the extraordinary work of the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. It is the oldest and largest charitable organization in the United States dedicated to funding clinical care, research and training of emerging practitioners and researchers in pediatric hematology and oncology. Support from CCBF has fueled many of the Division's breakthroughs in scientific and clinical research. It has revolutionized the treatment of young patients who, as a result, are receiving better care and living longer and fuller lives. Its team prides itself on providing outstanding, innovative, family-centered patient care and recognizes that medical treatment is only one part of the child's road to recovery. CCBF's distinguished researchers are making medical advances that are revolutionizing the study and treatment of pediatric cancers and blood disorders. CCBF scientists are applying research breakthroughs to practical treatments for patients across the world. (www.childrenscbf.org)

The all-volunteer Blue Hill Troupe spans all generations and all walks of life. New members, both front and backstage, are accepted each fall at the beginning of the season and are immediately folded into the family where everyone works side-by-side. For more information about the Blue Hill Troupe, please visit: www.bht.org, Facebook.com/BHT.org and @BlueHillTroupe.