Mikado & Pinafore Part of Gilbert & Sullivan Players' '06 Season
By: BWW News Desk Dec. 08, 2005
Under the artistic and music direction of Albert Bergeret, the company has presented over 2,500 performances throughout the United States, Canada, and England. Its productions "feature contemporary energy while retaining a traditional respect for each of the G & S masterpieces," according to company notes. New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players is considered by many to be the nation's "leading custodian of the G & S classics." Incorporating a 25-piece orchestra, the NYGASP productions are performed under the baton of Albert Bergeret, who also serves as stage director.
A sampling of the season's casting includes NYGASP veteran actors in the following roles: H.M.S. Pinafore: Stephen Quint as Sir Joseph Porter, Keith Jurosko/Richard Holmes as the Captain, Angela Smith as Little Buttercup, and Andrew MacPhail as Ralph Rackstraw; The Mikado: Keith Jurosko as The Mikado, Laurelyn Watson as Yum-Yum, Michael Scott Harris as Nanki-Poo, Stephen O'Brien as Ko-Ko and Louis Dall'Ava as Pooh-Bah. (All casting subject to change.) The NYGASP productions will have costumes designed by Gail J. Wofford; lights designed by Sally Small, and scenery by Bergeret.
In H.M.S. Pinafore (or The Lass That Loved a Sailor), which takes place onboard a British man-o-war sailing ship in the late 1800's, young Josephine falls in love with lowly sailor Ralph Rackstraw despite being promised to Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., First Lord of the Admiralty. Meanwhile, her father Captain Corcoran has his own feelings for Little Buttercup. The Mikado (or The Town of Titipu), follows the romantic confusion that arises when the fictitous emperor of the title prohibits flirting; Ko-Ko, the town's biggest flirt, covertly fights the prudery after being named Lord High Executioner and facilitates the romance of Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum.
The first commercially produced work of Gilbert & Sullivan, the 45-minute "Trial by Jury" is an over the top send up of the legal system. A lecherous judge and all male jury, a gold digging plaintiff, a self professed cad of a defendant, and a sleazy lawyer turn the courtroom proceedings upside down with self serving arguments and musical merriment. "NYGASP à la Carte" is a new revue developed by the company to "showcase its many talented artists and the incredible range of work by the incomparable team of Gilbert & Sullivan...from their most popular tongue-twisting "patter songs" to their dramatic double choruses and their pyrotechnics of vocal virtuosity."
In addition, the NYGASP Family Overture series "of entertaining and informative pre-show musical introductions and plot summaries" will be hosted by Bergeret, n Saturday Jan. 7th at 12:45PM prior to the 2PM matinee of H.M.S. Pinafore and Saturday Jan. 14th at 11:45AM prior to the 1PM matinee of The Mikado. Your matinee admission is your ticket to Family Overture!
The performance schedule is as follows: January 6 through 15th include: H.M.S. Pinafore – Fri. Jan. 6 – 8PM, Sat. Jan. 7 – 2PM, Sat. Jan. 14 – 8PM, Sun. Jan. 15 – 3PM; The Mikado – Sat. Jan. 7 – 8PM, Sun. Jan. 8 – 3PM, Tues. Jan. 10 – 7PM, Fri. Jan. 13 – 8PM, Sat. Jan. 14 – 1PM; Quintessential G&S! – Thurs. Jan. 12 – 8PM. Tickets range in price from $86 to $40. (Children 12 or under: half price when accompanied by an adult, 10% Senior discount on $50 and $40 seats) Family Overtures are scheduled Saturday Jan. 7 at 12:45PM and Sat. Jan. 14 at 11:45AM. More information and tickets can be obtained through the City Center box office and by phoning CityTix (212) 581-1212 or log on to www.citycenter.org.
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