Gilbert & Sullivan's THE GONDOLIERS Plays This Weekend at NYU Skirball

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, will present its spring production The Gondoliers this weekend, May 15-17 at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).

Double is the word for the large cast of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic The Gondoliers. Distinguished Metropolitan Opera bass, and NYGASP veteran, Ryan Allen will headline the cast as the comically ominous Grand Inquisitor Don Alhambra Del Bolero, who unifies two separate story lines. The Spanish family of Plaza-Toros will be played by NYGASP favorites patter man Stephen Quint (as the impoverished Duke), alto comedienne Angela Christine Smith (as the domineering Duchess), and familiar soprano Laurelyn Watson Chase (as their beautiful daughter Casilda).

The Plaza-Toro's faithful servant (and Casilda's forbidden love interest) is perfectly cast with David Macaluso who has done double duty with NYGASP as leading comedian and romantic lyric baritone in past productions. The Venetian gondoliers and their contadine wives, who are the true heart of this ensemble piece, will be beautifully sung and danced by a quartet of young NYGASP leading performers: dashing tenor Daniel Greenwood as Marco Palmieri, brash baritone Matthew Wages as Giuseppe Palmieri, trilling soprano Sarah Caldwell Smith as Gianetta, and lush voiced alto Amy Maude Helfer as Tessa. Victoria Devany reprises her wacky turn as Inez, the gypsy woman who supplies the final denouement.

The glorious ensemble features Caitlin Burke, Alex Corson, Louis Dall'Ava, Alexa Devlin, Michael Galante, Merrill Grant, Katie Hall, Andrew Herr, Alan Hill, Sarah Hutchison, Sonja Rab, James LaRosa, James Mills, Barbara Paterson, Monique Pelletier, and Jonah Finger.

Artistic Director Albert Bergeret takes his usual place as stage director and conductor, while long time NYGASP performer and associate director David Auxier supplies all new choreography for the many dance moments of this colorful production, featuring a trio of singing and dancing couples: Robin Mahon & Lance Olds, Brooke Collins & Jason Whitfield, and Laura Sudduth & Chris-Ian Sanchez.

The Gondoliers or, the King of Barataria combines two different groups with two different storylines that 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! The Gondoliers was the 12th collaboration between Messer's Gilbert and Sullivan premiering in 1889.

The production will be directed by Mr. Bergeret with choreography & co-direction by David Auxier along with a set design by Jack Garver, a costume design by Jan Holland and lights designed by Benjamin Weill.

As is the G&S tradition, audiences are welcome to take part in two special post and pre-show events. Enjoy Savoy Dialogue - a dazzling discourse about all matters Gilbert & Sullivan with members of the NYGASP artistic staff after the Friday evening performance. Kids of all ages are invited to the Family Overture on Saturday afternoon (12:45pm in the theatre) - a free musical introduction and plot summary made entertaining and informative for the entire family!

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has presented over 2,600 performances throughout the United States, Canada, and England - where the Company appeared last 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."

Pictured: The Gondoliers. Matthew Nelson, Michele McConnell, Stephen Quint, Angela Christine Smith, Joshua Strone. Photo by David Sigafoose.

To post a comment, you must register and login.