New York Gilbert & Sullivan Announce IOLANTHE Cast

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, kicks off its 41st season with the political fairytale Iolanthe (November 7 & 8) at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). The seventh collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan, Iolanthe is certainly not politics as usual! The affairs of state in fairyland take center stage and the tasty tunes take wing along with the non-stop hilarity.

Iolanthe will feature the young patter man James Mills in the demanding role of the Lord Chancellor, who is at the same time funny, fatherly, and conflicted. He is supported by a pair of youthful NYGASP veterans, Daniel Greenwood and Matthew Wages as two mindless peers of the realm - Lords Tolloller and Mountararat. Veterans David Macaluso (Arcadian shepherd Strephon, who is half a fairy) and Laurelyn Watson Chase (ward in Chancery Phyllis who wants to know "which half") provide the love interest. Angela Christine Smith will play the imposing, but vulnerable, Queen of the Fairies who resists the temptation of falling in love with forbidden fruit in the form of dashing Private Willis - a sentry on duty outside the House of Lords, played by bass David Wannen. In the title role of fairy mother figure Iolanthe, Erika Person will use her mezzo voice and sincere acting strength to bring to life one of the most moving moments in all of the Gilbert & Sullivan canon.

Albert Bergeret stage directs and conducts the large cast and orchestra, with able co-direction and choreography by David Auxier. The pastoral and urban London settings are by Jack Garver, with lighting by Benjamin Weill. Costumes, including authentic replicas of ceremonial robes worn by British Lords, are by Gail J. Wofford.

Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has been hailed as "the leading custodian of the G&S classics" by New York magazine and has created its own special niche in the cultural mosaic of New York City and the nation. Since its founding in 1974, the company has presented over 2,000 performances of the G&S masterpieces throughout the United States, Canada and England, captivating audiences of all ages. NYGASP's productions are charged with engaging contemporary entertainment values while retaining respect for the famous duo's comedic and musical genius.

The burning question in Iolanthe, or The Peer and the Peri is, can a man who is half a fairy find happiness in a world where to marry a mortal is a capital crime? No this is not an indictment of gay marriage or the death penalty but a fanciful Victorian tale about a band of spritely females with "fairy brains" who "never grow old", the stodgy male House of Peers who rejoice that they "are persons of no capacity whatever", and confused "half a fairy" Strephon - the fellow who is literally caught in the middle. Could anyone wonder that this gentleman's lady friend wants to know "which half"? Gilbert's commentary on the human condition was never pithier while Sullivan's effervescent score evokes the conflict between the balletic fairies and the martial peers as well as the more serious motherly love of the title character. Last, but not least, Iolanthe also features the Lord Chancellor - an elderly gentlemen whose conflicting emotions as widower, would be lover, legal guardian, father figure, judge, and legislator play out in the course of three classic patter songs, including his delightfully convoluted tongue twister known as the "Nightmare Song". When the Fairy Queen's best friend, Iolanthe, returns to fairyland after a 25 year banishment for having married a mortal, she tells her fairy sisters that she has a son, Strephon, a man who has the mixed blessing of being half a fairy. When Strephon is thwarted in his attempts to marry the beautiful Phyllis by a group of stodgy politicians from the House of Lords and a deliciously conflicted Lord Chancellor, he calls upon the supernatural powers of his newly discovered "aunts". The ensuing impasse results in a riotous battle of the sexes which cannot be resolved until Iolanthe, following her motherly instincts, puts her life on the line to reveal that the Lord Chancellor is her husband and Strephon's father. But all fairy tales have happy endings, so the fairy law is amended, allowing everyone to get married and perhaps change their minds afterwards. As Strephon says, "That's the usual course!"

The season continues with productions of The Pirates of Penzance (replacing the previously announced "The Mikado") (December 26 - January 2) and Princess Ida (May 21 & 22).

And mark your calendar for the one-night only event: I've Got A Little TWIST!: Gilbert & Sullivan Meets Broadway on Tuesday, December 1 (9:30PM) at 54 Below!

Each season the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players offers several special family friendly events that everyone can enjoy! Family Overture Series (1:45pm in the theater, prior to select Sunday matinees) --- Families are invited to a free musical introduction and plot summary made entertaining and informative for the entire family. Savoy Dialogue (following the Sat., Dec. 26th - 7:30pm performance of Pirates) --- Enjoy a dazzling discourse about all matters G&S with members of the NYGASP cast and artistic staff after the show. Bring Your Grandparents Day (December 30) --- Respect your favorite elders with a pre-show Family Overture (1:45pm in the theater) 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 and a little bubbly at intermission is just the beginning. An exclusive invitation to the cast party afterwards completes the elegant affair.

Performance times for The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' 2015-16 Season at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place) are as follows: Iolanthe: Saturday, November 7 (2PM); Saturday, November 7 (7:30PM); Sunday, November 8 (3PM; Family Overture @ 1:45PM). The Pirates of Penzance: Saturday, December 26 (2PM); Saturday, December 26 (7:30PM); Sunday, December 27 (3PM; Family Overture @ 1:45PM); Wednesday, December 30 (3PM; Family Overture @ 1:45PM) --- Bring your Grandparents Day!; Thursday, December 31 (7:30PM) --- New Year's Eve Gala!; Saturday, January 2, 2016 (2PM). Princess Ida: Saturday, May 21, 2016 (2PM); Saturday, May 21, 2016 (7:30PM); Sunday, May 22, 2016 (3PM; Family Overture @ 1:45pm). Discount subscriptions are available by calling (212) 769-1000. To order regular tickets by phone call NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts Box office at 212-998-4941 or visit www.nygasp.org.

The NYGASP 2015-16 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.

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