NYGASP: Pirates of Penzance and Princess Ida

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP), America's foremost Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble, is presenting its G&S Fest 2008, with performances of, in January, Pirates of Penzance, Princess Ida, The Mikado, and a one-night benefit of Trial By Jury paired with a revue called G&S à la Carte!. I just saw Pirates and Ida this weekend, and will be seeing Trial by Jury later this week. There will be more to come in their June season.

Pirates of Penzance is one of the best-known Gilbert and Sullivan works, thanks in part to a high-profile star-studded Tony-award-winning 1980 production by Joseph Papp.

The production by NYGASP is delightful- I was grinning throughout much of the show. David Wannen is a dashing Pirate King, Colm Fitzmaurice is an engaging Frederic and Laurelyn Watson Chase is a lovely Mabel (their "Stay Frederic Stay" is a lovely moment); David Macaluso makes the supporting role of Samuel consistently interesting, and Angela Smith is a powerful Ruth. It's Stephen Quint as Major-General Stanley who appropriately steals the show- he doesn't overplay the role, and simply lets it be as funny as it is.

Though the show is hilarious, the stage direction by Albert Bergeret (artistic director of the company as well as conductor) often dips into unnecessary schtick, which is less funny in varying degrees, and which tends to obscure the humanity of the characters. Robin Mahon as Isabel, one of the daughters, has been directed to show off her (rather formidable) ballet skills at every opportunity, which makes her character rather irritating. Some of the gags are lifted directly from the Papp adaptation, including a choreographed reference to A Chorus Line in "With Cat-Like Tread". Some moments seem rushed, but on the whole it's a very entertaining show.

Princess Ida, conversely, is one of the lesser-known G&S works. It's the only piece in the canon with three acts, and the only piece in which all the dialogue is in blank verse. It concerns Princess Ida, son of King Gama, who has forsworn the company of men and begun a school for women. Prince Hildebrand, to whom she has been engaged since she was 1 and he was twice her age, sets out to appeal to her with his friends Cyril and Florian. They find the place, dress as girls until they are found out thanks to a bawdy drinking song by Cyril, then they go to war. Of course the dainty learned ladies are not interested in warfare, so Gama sends his three sons to fight Hilarion and his 2 friends. Hilarion wins the day, but instead of demanding Ida's submission, he suggests she work to improve men instead of abjuring them, and they are married.

Though the show is somewhat less integrated than Pirates, it still is often amusing. Colm Fitzmaurice again is a game Hilarion, and Patrick Hogan and William Whitefield are very funny as his friends- a reprise of "I Am a Maiden", in which the three, dressing as women, make reference to "I Feel Pretty" and "Three Little Maids", was a highlight. Kimilee Bryant is a solid Ida, always sure she's in the right, her "I Built Upon a Rock!" is excellent. Diana Dollman is very funny as Lady Blanche, and Melissa Attebury is wonderful as her daughter. Shana Farr is a strong presence as Lady Psyche. David Wannen, David Auxier, and Louis Dall'Ava are very funny as Gama's sons, and Wannen brings the sexy for "This Helmet, I Suppose". Stephen Quint is (again) hilarious as King Gama.

A strange tap number in the middle of "When Anger Spreads his Wing" obscures the lyrics, and sometimes the words sung by the chorus are difficult to understand, but in general it's an amusing play, and a well-done production of an obscure Gilbert and Sullivan.

Look for my review of Trial by Jury/G&S à la Carte later this week.

G&S Fest 2008
January 4th - January 13th
At City Center (West 55th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues).

Princess Ida - Fri. Jan. 4th - 8PM, Sun. Jan. 6th - 3PM, Sat. Jan. 12 - 8PM
The Pirates of Penzance - Sat. Jan. 5th - 2 & 8PM, Tues. Jan. 8th - 7PM, Fri. Jan 11th - 8PM; Sun. Jan. 13th - 3PM
Trial by Jury plus G&S A La Carte (Revue) - Thurs. Jan. 10th -8PM
The Mikado, Sat. Jan. 12th - 2PM.

Tickets range in price from $96 to $40. (Children 12 or under: half price when accompanied by an adult, 10% Senior discount on $80, $60 and $40 seats). 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.nycitycenter.org.

Photos Kimilee Bryant as Princess Ida (photo by Carol Rosegg); Stephen Quint as The Modern Major General in the Pirates of Penzance (photo by Michael A. Nemeth)