New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players Presents Free Kids' Night 1/12/2010 At City Center

New YorK Gilbert & Sullivan Players will offer a special FREE "Kids' Night" event - for children 12 years and under - on Tuesday, January 12th (7PM) for their spectacular production of H.M.S. Pinafore at New York's historic City Center (West 55th Street - between 6th & 7th Avenues). A free child's ticket will be given for each full priced adult ticket purchased (all price levels are included.) As an added bonus, children will receive a special post-performance backstage tour-hosted by their favorite onstage character!

H.M.S. Pinafore, or The Lass That Loved a Sailor marks the start of the Gilbert & Sullivan collaboration's hit parade and the beginning of musical theatre as we know it. On board H.M.S. Pinafore, the lowly sailor, Ralph Rackstraw, has fallen in love with Josephine, daughter of the repressed, but ever polite, Captain Corcoran whose social climbing ambitions have caused him to promise Josephine in marriage to the insufferable Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B, First Lord of the Admiralty. While the crew and Sir Joseph's groupies, referred to as "his sisters and his cousins and his aunts" dance their way across the deck, Josephine promises not to follow her heart in returning Ralph's affection and the Captain reveals his own attraction to the lowly peddler woman, Little Buttercup, who hints that "things are seldom what they seem." Sir Joseph senses Josephine's coolness to his advances, but is convinced by the Captain to make another effort in the boisterous Bell Trio. In a deliberately absurd twist of fate, Little Buttercup reveals that Ralph and the Captain were switched at birth, thereby allowing both Corcorans to marry the objects of their affections, within their own social classes. Sir Joseph is resigned to marrying his most devoted groupie, Cousin Hebe.

Under the artistic and music direction of Albert Bergeret, the company has presented over 2,600 performances throughout the United States, Canada, and England. Incorporating a 25-piece orchestra, the 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 Gilbert & Sullivan Players will continue their 35th Anniversary Season with: The Mikado - Friday, Jan. 8th - 8PM, Saturday, Jan. 9th - 8PM, Saturday, Jan. 16th - 2PM; H.M.S. Pinafore - Sunday, Jan. 10th - 3PM, Tuesday Jan. 12th - 7PM (FREE KIDS NIGHT!); The Pirates of Penzance - Saturday, January 9th - 2PM, Friday, January 15th - 8PM; Ruddigore - Thursday, Jan. 14th - 8PM, Saturday, Jan. 16th - 8PM, Sunday, Jan. 17th - 3PM.

This one-night only KIDS' event will take place on Tuesday, January 12th (7PM) at City Center (West 55th Street - between 6th & 7th Avenues). Tickets range in price from $96 to $40. More information and tickets can be obtained through the City Center box office and by phoning CityTix (212) 581-1212.