New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) have announced principal casting for the satirical comedy Princess Ida on May 21 & 22 at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).
Although love conquers all in Princess Ida, nowhere in the G&S canon is Gilbert's satire of the excesses of both male and female gender identities more poignant. Blustering King Hildebrand and crippled King Gamma (NYGASP regulars
David Auxier and
Stephen Quint) avoid war by marrying their infant children Prince Hilarion and Princess Ida (played by earnest tenor
Cameron Smithand flamboyant soprano Kate Bass.) 20 years later, Ida has run away from her twisted father and three boorish warrior brothers (Justin Whitfield,
Seph Stanek and Andrew Herr) to found an all women's university in Castle Adamant where everything male is banned. Ida is a militant feminist but her second in command Lady Blanche (Angela
Christine Smith) is a power hungry, over the top clown and head teacher Lady Pysche (Sarah Hutchison) and Blanche's daughter Melissa (Amy Maude Helfer) are not as committed to the cause as Ida. When Hilarion infiltrates the school in drag with trusted friend Cyril and Florian (
Daniel Greenwood and
Matthew Wages) the results are once hilarious, sincere and dramatic, especially when the impatient King Hildebrand storms the castle walls with his soldiers!
Princess Ida, or Castle Adamant is the classic battle of the sexes which nobody can win but where true love triumphs! Welcome to Castle Adamant, where women are fabulous, men are forbidden, and comic conspiracies reign supreme. As a baby, Princess Ida was betrothed to Prince Hilarion-but the honeymoon was over before it ever started. Now all grown up, the Princess has sworn off men, opening an all-women college at the Castle in order to prove the superiority of her sex. But no moat can keep the Prince and his men from breeching these walls. It could be love. It could be war. It's definitely a castle-crashing, cross-dressing, toe-tapping laugh riot.
Princess Ida will feature scenery by Albère, costumes by Gail Wofford & Stivanello Costume Company (original designs byJean Brookman), lighting by Benjamin Weill and choreography byJanis Ansley Ungar with additional choreography by David Auxier. Acclaimed Artistic Director Albert Bergeret directs and conducts the large cast and orchestra.
Each season the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players offers several special family friendly events that everyone can enjoy! This season, the run of Princess Ida present two unique offerings!
Talkback - 21st Century Feminism in 19th Century G&S.Featuring a panel of distinguished experts including Iska Alter, Professor Emerita of English, Hofstra University; Rena Charnin Mueller, Department of Music, Faculty of Arts and Science, New York University;
Maria Tucci, Esteemed Actor of Stage & Screen; Carolyn Williams, Chair of Rutgers University English Department and Author of Gilbert & Sullivan: Gender, Genre, Parody; and moderated by G&S Founder and Artistic Director
Albert Bergeret. Saturday, May 21st (5PM). *This event is open to ticket holders of the three Saturday and Sunday performances.
Family Overture - You're invited to a free musical introduction and plot summary made entertaining and informative for the entire family on Sunday, May 22nd at 1:45PM in the theater!
Performance times for Princess Ida at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place) are as follows: Saturday, May 21 (2PM & 7:30PM); Sunday, May 22 (3PM; Family Overture @ 1:45PM). Discount subscriptions are available by calling (212) 769-1000. To order regular tickets by phone call NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts Box office at 888-611-8183 or visitwww.nygasp.org.
Photo Credit: William Reynolds
