NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players' 40th Anniversary Season Begins 10/12

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP), America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, will kick off its 40th Anniversary Season on October 12th and for the first time in its history-will present a full schedule of performances in the heart of Manhattan's Greenwich Village. The milestone season will launch with a gala celebration on October 12th and continue with three productions of G&S classics --- Ruddigore (November 1 & 2); a holiday run of H.M.S. Pinafore (December 26-31); and a limited spring run of The Gondoliers (May 15-17, 2015) all taking place at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). 3 show subscriptions and single Tickets are now onsale.

"We are very excited to reach this important milestone," stated NYGASP's Artistic Director, Albert Bergeret. "40 years of producing full scale productions is a serious achievement---but it also demands some special 'topsy turvey' fun! I think NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts will be the perfect location and venue for our productions during this 40th Anniversary year."

Four decades of fun, frivolity and fearless performances will be the theme of a special gala of non-stop G&S enjoyment as NYGASP officially launches its 40th year on Sunday, October 12th at 3PM. The afternoon will feature the NYGASP repertory cast & orchestra, alumni, and friends as they toast the ongoing history of the only professional Gilbert & Sullivan company in America while performing all their favorite scenes and songs. This gala benefit event will take place at The Eisner-Lubin Auditorium (Above NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts - 60 Washington Square South.) Admission is $85 (season subscribers and NYGASP Guild Members - $60) and can be arranged by phoning: 212-769-1000 for reservations, available now through October 10th.

The 2014-15 Performance Season includes:

(November 1 & 2) Ruddigore, or The Witch's Curse. A Crime A Day Keeps The Curse At Bay! Thanks to an ancestor who loved torturing witches, the Baronet of Ruddigore is cursed - if he doesn't commit a crime every day, his life will end in agony, and the curse will be handed down to the next in line. No wonder he doesn't stick around to follow through with his destiny. In fact, the Baronet poses as Robin Oakapple instead, leaving the title and the curse with his younger brother. But when the ghosts of Baronets past reveal themselves in the Ruddigore Castle picture gallery (what is this, Hogwarts?), he's forced out of hiding and back into the role of daily criminal. To stall his ancestors as long as he can, the Baronet comes up with silly excuses and non-criminal acts like "forging" his own will. But destiny and curses aren't the most flexible of things, so the clever Baronet must figure out a way to make everyone happy in the end, especially himself. Don't miss this G&S gem - it's the most fun you'll have around Halloween without wearing a costume! Of course, please feel free...

(December 26-31) H.M.S. Pinafore, or The Lass That Loved a Sailor. All Aboard! And Absurd! This early satirical send-up helped Gilbert and Sullivan chart a new course for modern musical theatre. Lowly sailor Ralph Rackstraw has a problem. Or rather, two. He's fallen for the Captain's daughter, Josephine, and to make matters worse, she's been promised to the haughty Sir Joseph Porter. And although Josephine's heart beats only for Ralph, she agrees to be a dutiful daughter and accept her role as Sir Joseph's wife. Normally Sir Joseph would boast his appreciation of equality among men, but when Ralph and Josephine eventually try to elope, he flip flops his position. Speaking of flipping and flopping...Little Buttercup, the bumbling former "baby farmer" admits her mistake from many years before - that Ralph was really born to the Captain's parents, and vice versa. In the end, much rejoicing begins, as everyone finally finds true love. Even Little Buttercup!

(May 15-17, 2015) The Gondoliers, or The King of Barataria. Nothing Like Stolen Youth. Literally. Are you seeing double? You will during The Gondoliers, as two different groups with two different storylines collide in one boisterous and joyous show. Spanning both stories is the marvelously menacing Grand Inquisitor, Don Alhambra del Bolero, who stole the infant son of the King of Barataria and cast him off to Venice, but only after the young future monarch was secretly wed to a nobleman's daughter. Now, the unwitting heir to the throne and his "brother" are gondoliers seeking mates when the impoverished nobleman brings his daughter to Venice in search of her infant groom. Since nobody can tell which gondolier is the true heir to the throne, Don Alhambra arranges for them to leave their newlywed brides and reign jointly until the proper monarch can be identified. After much confusion, lots of exuberant dancing, and jolly Italianate musical ensembles, the stage is set for leaving all concerned, including the audience, with feelings of pleasure!

Continuing the NYGASP tradition of building new multi-generational audiences, the 2014-15 season will include several special family friendly events! Family Overture Series (12:45pm, prior to all Saturday matinees) -- Families are invited to a musical introduction and plot summary made entertaining and informative for the entire family. Bring Your Grandparents Day (December 30) - Respect your favorite elders with a pre-show Family Overture and a backstage tour featuring the character of your choice following the performance! New Year's Eve Gala (December 31) - G&S's most beloved score, H.M.S.Pinafore, and a little bubbly at intermission is just the beginning. An exclusive invitation to the cast party afterwards completes the elegant affair! Savoy Dialogue (May 15, 2015) - Enjoy a dazzling discourse about all matters G&S with members of the NYGASP cast and artistic staff after the show.

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has presented over 2,600 performances throughout the United States, Canada, and England - where the Company will appear this August at the 21st annual International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate, UK. Incorporating a full orchestra, its productions feature contemporary energy while retaining a traditional respect for each of the G&S masterpieces. New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players is considered by many to be the nation's "leading custodian of the G&S classics."

The NYGASP 2014-15 season is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State's 62 counties. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Tickets for The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players 40th Anniversary Gala Celebration on Sunday, October 12th (3PM) at The Eisner-Lubin Auditorium (60 Washington Square South) are $85/General Admission and $60 for Subscribers and Guild Members. For reservations call 212-769-1000.

Performance times for The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' 40th Anniversary Season at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place) are as follows: Ruddigore: Saturday, November 1 (2PM & 8PM); Sunday, November 2 (3PM). H.M.S. Pinafore: Friday, December 26 (8PM); Saturday, December 27 (2PM & 8PM); Sunday, December 28 (3PM); Tuesday, December 30 (3PM) ---- bring your Grandparents Day!; Wednesday, December 31 (8PM) ----- New Year's Eve Gala! The Gondoliers: Friday, May 15, 2015 (8PM); Saturday, May 16 (2PM & 8PM); Sunday, May 17 (3PM). Tickets prices are $89, $79, $69 & $59 with 50% off for children 12 and under (accompanied by an adult) and 10% off for seniors 65 & older. New Year's Eve Gala performance has special prices of $99, $88, $79 & $69. Discount 3 show subscriptions are available by calling (212) 769-1000 or online at www.nygasp.org . Individual tickets may be purchased after August 1 by calling NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts Box office at 212-998-4941 or by visiting www.nygasp.org.