Opening Nights - The Mikado

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

NYG&SP: THE MIKADO

SPRING 2022–23

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from the director

on behalf of Opening Nights, we are thrilled to share the second half of our 25th Anniversary Season with you! We’ve saved the best for last this spring with so many incredible performances coming your way. In February, we kick off the vibrant lineup with:

The Other Mozart by Sylvia Milo at Turner Auditorium on February 4. This captivating one-woman show tells the story of Mozart’s forgotten sister, Nannerl, a piano virtuoso in her own right. Television, stage and film star Katharine McPhee will perform live at the home of the FSU President on February 6.

A month-long celebration of Black History Month kicks off with Step Afrika! on February 7 and is sure to delight all ages with an exciting blend of percussive dance styles that integrate songs, storytelling and humor. Pulitzer Prize winning author, Colson Whitehead will speak on February 9 about his writings and engage the audience with insightful discussion.

The Queens of Soul, Morgan James and Erica Gabriel take center stage with our very own Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra on February 11 for a celebration of the music of Motown, R&B and soul; celebrate Valentine’s Day with a breathtaking performance by contemporary dance company MOMIX and their visually stunning repertoire entitled Alice, inspired by Alice in Wonderland; and Ethiopian jazz singer, Meklit, will perform on February 28.

French-based Zodiac Trio will perform Benny Rides Again, a celebration of the songs of Benny Goodman on March 3; country and folk music legend Emmylou Harris takes the Ruby Diamond stage on March 4 for an unforgettable evening of the music that has thrived for more than 50 years; theatre fans get ready for New York Gilbert & Sullivan Player’s The Mikado on March 11 for a matinee performance; and families won’t want to miss

Legendary late-night comedian and television host Jay Leno will pack Ruby Diamond for a memorable evening of laughs on March 29; Opening Nights continues its collaboration with the Chain of Parks Arts Festival with digital media artist John Ensor Parker on April 13; FSU’s PRISM is back with its traditional spring performance on April 16; and the season concludes with Piano Battle, a rollicking good time, on April 25.

Sponsorships and memberships make each season possible, and we are very grateful to the many people who have generously supported us this season. As we continue to celebrate the Opening Nights 25-year legacy into the next season, we invite you to renew or become a member or a sponsor of our 2023–24 Season. From town to gown, Opening Nights is a vital university and community performing arts program with a mission worthy of supporting and celebrating! These performances create a thriving cultural life in our community and create priceless educational experiences on campus and throughout the community. Ask any Opening Nights associate about these philanthropic opportunities. We hope you join us!

Thank you again for your support of the Opening Nights 25th Anniversary Season at Florida State University. Please enjoy these outstanding performances!

Jennifer Wright Director, Opening Nights at Florida State University

The Jungle Book performed live by the Panto Company on March 23.

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upcoming performances

march

11 New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: The Mikado

opera, comedy, musical theatre

Sponsored by Taylor Blackburn Family Fund

23 The Jungle Book family, theatre

Sponsored by Centennial Bank & Kessler Construction

29 Jay Leno comedy

Sponsored by Peter Boulware Toyota

april

13 John Ensor Parker: Chain of Parks Art Festival Presenting Artist

speaker, visual arts

Sponsored by Laurie & Kelly Dozier Endowment

16 PRISM

classical, jazz, marching band, pop

Sponsored by Walmart

25 Piano Battle classical, instrumental, comedy

Sponsored by Herb & Mary Jervis

Cover photo: NYG&SP: The Mikado

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Stay connected to Tallahassee’s latest activities and attractions. Read Tallahassee Magazine in print and online, plus like and follow on social media for the latest events and happenings. @tallahasseemag | tallahasseemagazine. com

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new york gilbert & sullivan players the mikado

NYGASP’s new and critically-acclaimed production of The Mikado features all of your favorite G&S characters: Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo, Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner with his “little list” of potential victims, as well as the fearsome Katisha, the hilariously ridiculous Pooh-Bah and the politely sadistic Mikado himself. A brief new prologue set in the offices of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company frames the classic work for today’s audiences. While the new production underlines how The Mikado can be enjoyed by artists and audiences of all backgrounds, Gilbert’s lyrics and Sullivan’s melodies—which have delighted comic opera lovers for over 135 years—are still as fresh as “the flowers that bloom in the spring.”

Continued on pg. 19

WHERE GREAT SERVICE IS ALWAYS THE STAR OF THE SHOW

NYG&SP: The Mikado

Continued from pg. 17

NANKI-POO (His son, disguised as a wandering minstrel)

John Charles McLaughlin*

ARTHUR SULLIVAN/KO-KO

(Lord High Executioner of Titipu)

David Macaluso*

RICHARD D’OYLY CARTE/ POOH-BAH (Lord High Everything Else)

Matthew Wages*

W.S. GILBERT/PISH-TUSH

(A Noble Lord)

David Auxier*

LEONORA BRAHAM/YUM-YUM

THE MIKADO or, The Town of Titipu

First Performed at the Savoy Theatre, London, England, March 14, 1885

WRITTEN BY William S. Gilbert

COMPOSED BY

Arthur Sullivan

PROLOGUE WRITTEN BY

David Auxier-Loyola

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Albert Bergeret

DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER

David Auxier-Loyola

MUSIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR

Albert Bergeret

PRODUCER

David Wannen

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Kelvin Moon Loh

COSTUME DESIGN

Quinto Ott

MAKEUP

James Mills

SCENIC DESIGN

Anshuman Bhatia

LIGHTING DESIGN

Benjamin Weill

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

Genevieve Bergeret

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Annette Dieli

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

RICHARD TEMPLE/THE MIKADO OF JAPAN

David Wannen*

Rebecca L. Hargrove*

JESSIE BOND/PITTI-SING

(Three sisters, Wards of Ko-Ko)

Amy Maude Helfer*

SYBIL GREY/PEEP-BO

Sarah Hutchison*

ROSINA BRANDRAM/ KATISHA (An elderly lady, in love with Nanki-Poo)

Angela Christine Smith*

ENSEMBLE OF NOBLEMEN, SCHOOLGIRLS, AND TOWNSPEOPLE

Caitlin Borek*, Michael J. Connolly*, Camilo Estrada*, Michael Galante, Katie Hall, Hannah Holmes*, Claire Leyden, Patrick Lord-Remmert, James Mills*, Lance Olds*, Kendrick Pifer, Logan Pitts, Chris-Ian Sanchez*, Michelle Seipel*

DANCE CAPTAIN

Chris-Ian Sanchez*

SCENES

Prologue: Offices of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, 1884

Acts I & II: The Imagined Town of Titipu

There will be one 15-minute intermission.

*These Actors and Stage Managers are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

ORCHESTRA

VIOLIN I

Jerry Weiss, Irene Pacheco, Eduardo Castro, Jordan Bicsan

VIOLIN II

Mary Bos, Isabella Diaz

VIOLA

Joshua Cordova Cello: Shona McFaddyn

BASS

Geordan Raisler

FLUTE

Margaret Swinchosky

OBOE

Amy Han

CLARINET

Melissa Kindy

BASSOON

Emily Bartlett

HORN

Nick Burner

TRUMPET

Joe Montelione

TROMBONE

Aden Brooks

PERCUSSION

Christopher Nolin

COMPANY & PRODUCTION STAFF

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/ GENERAL MANAGER

Albert Bergeret

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

David Wannen

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION & BOX

OFFICE

Joseph Rubin

COMPANY MANAGER

Michael Galante

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Sarah Caldwell Smith

TECH ASSOCIATE

Bryan Patrick Stoyle

WARDROBE

Gail J. Wofford, Annette Dieli

CONCESSION SALES

Alan Hill

COMPANY PHOTOGRAPHER

Carol Rosegg, William Reynolds

ORCHESTRA CONTRACTOR

Christopher Nolin

The photographing or sound recording of this performance or possession of any device for such photographing or sound recording is prohibited.

SYNOPSIS OF THE MIKADO

Nanki-Poo, a wandering minstrel, has come to the town of Titipu in search of Yum-Yum, a girl with whom he has fallen in love. Ko-Ko, her guardian, had been condemned to death under the Mikado’s capricious law against

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Congratulations Opening Nights for fostering the Arts in Tallahassee for the past 25 years.

The students, faculty, and staff of FSU and the citizens of north Florida have been enriched by your efforts.

We eagerly await what the next 25 years will bring.

flirting, but has since been appointed Lord High Executioner, on the assumption that he will be unwilling to enforce a law of which he himself must be the first victim. While Ko-Ko plans to marry Yum-Yum himself, Nanki-Poo woos the beautiful girl. Yum-Yum returns his affection, but she is unwilling to defy her guardian.

Meanwhile, Ko-Ko learns that his post is to be abolished by the Mikado for nonperformance of duty. His search for a victim is interrupted by the appearance of the despondent Nanki-Poo, bent on suicide. The two men strike a deal that Nanki-Poo may marry Yum-Yum, if he will agree to become Ko-Ko’s first victim at the end of a month.

The general rejoicing that follows this announcement is halted by the arrival of Katisha, an elderly lady of the Mikado’s court. Thwarted in her efforts to claim Nanki-Poo as her lover, she attempts to reveal his true identity, but the entire town shouts her down as the act ends.

Act II finds Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo preparing for their wedding, but Ko-Ko produces a surprise—“by the Mikado’s law, when a married man is beheaded, his wife is buried alive!” Yum-Yum is having second thoughts when the approach of the Mikado himself is announced.

Ko-Ko panics and decides that a dead body will not be needed if the proper papers are produced. He sends Nanki-Poo away to marry Yum-Yum and prepares a “certificate” of

Nanki-Poo’s execution.

The Mikado arrives in town, accompanied by Katisha, and is delighted to receive the news that there has been an execution until he sees the name of the victim. Ko-Ko now learns for the first time that Nanki-Poo is the son of the Mikado. Along with Pooh-Bah and Pitti-Sing, who have acted as witnesses to the fake execution, Ko-Ko is sentenced to be boiled in oil for “compassing the death of the Heir Apparent.”

When Ko-Ko goes to Nanki-Poo for help, the minstrel explains that he originally disguised himself in order to escape Katisha’s attentions, and he has no intention of being anything but “dead” until she is married to someone else. To save his own neck, Ko-Ko woos and wins the lady in record time. When the Mikado returns from lunch to find his son still alive, and Ko-Ko married to Katisha, the story is tied up in true Topsy-Turvy Gilbertian fashion.

MUSICAL NUMBERS OVERTURE

ACT I

“IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO WE ARE” (Opening Chorus and Recitative)

Nanki-Poo and Men

“A WAND’RING MINSTREL I” (Solo and Chorus)

Nanki-Poo and Men

“OUR GREAT MIKADO, VIRTUOUS MAN”

(Solo and Chorus)

Pish-Tush and Men

“YOUNG MAN, DESPAIR” (Song)

Pooh-Bah, Nanki-Poo, and Pish-Tush

“AND HAVE I JOURNEYED FOR A MONTH” (Recitative)

Nanki-Poo and Pooh-Bah

“BEHOLD THE LORD HIGH EXECUTIONER” (Chorus and Solo)

Ko-Ko and Men

“AS SOME DAY IT MAY HAPPEN” (Solo and Chorus)

Ko-Ko and Men

“COMES A TRAIN OF LITTLE LADIES” (Chorus)

Girls

“THREE LITTLE MAIDS FROM SCHOOL ARE WE” (Trio and Chorus)

Yum-Yum, Peep-Bo, Pitti-Sing, and Girls

“SO PLEASE YOU, SIR, WE MUCH REGRET” (Quartet and Chorus)

Yum-Yum, Peep-Bo, Pitti-Sing, Pooh-Bah, and Girls

“WERE YOU NOT TO KO-KO PLIGHTED” (Duet)

Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo

“I AM SO PROUD” (Trio)

Pooh-Bah, Ko-Ko, and Pish-Tush

“WITH ASPECT STERN AND GLOOMY STRIDE” (Finale of Act I)

Ensemble

I regard the

as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.

- - Thornton Wilder

ACT II

“BRAID THE RAVEN HAIR” (Opening Chorus and Solo)

Pitti-Sing and Girls

“THE SUN, WHOSE RAYS ARE ALL ABLAZE” (Song)

Yum-Yum

“BRIGHTLY DAWNS OUR WEDDING DAY” (Madrigal)

Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, Nanki-Poo, and PishTush

“HERE’S A HOW-DE-DO!” (Trio)

Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo, and Ko-Ko

“OUR MIKADO, GREAT MIKADO” (Entrance of the Mikado, Chorus, and Duet)

Mikado, Katisha, Girls, and Men

“A MORE HUMANE MIKADO” (Solo and Chorus)

Mikado, Girls, and Men

“THE CRIMINAL CRIED AS HE DROPPED HIM DOWN” (Trio and Chorus)

Ko-Ko, Pitti-Sing, Pooh-Bah, Girls, and Men

“SEE HOW THE FATES THEIR GIFTS ALLOT” (Glee)

Mikado, Pitti-Sing, Pooh-Bah, Ko-Ko, and Katisha

“THE FLOWERS THAT BLOOM IN THE SPRING”(Song)

Nanki-Poo. Ko-Ko, Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, PoohBah, and Pish-Tush

“ALONE, AND YET ALIVE!” (Recitative and Song)

Katisha

“WILLOW, TIT-WILLOW” (Song)

Ko-Ko

“THERE IS BEAUTY IN THE BELLOW OF THE BLAST” (Duet)

Katisha and Ko-Ko

“FOR HE’S GONE AND MARRIED YUM-YUM” (Finale of Act II)

Ensemble

PROGRAM NOTE

by David Auxier-Loyola and David Wannen

The Mikado is undoubtedly the most popular piece of musical theatre of all time, when its 135-year history is taken into account. For decades, a production of G&S’s satirical opera could be seen somewhere in the Englishspeaking world every day of the year. Its libretto has found its way into our language, with expressions such as the “grand Pooh-

Bah” and “Let the punishment fit the crime.” Several films have been made of or about the work, including Mike Leigh’s 1999 film Topsy-Turvy, which presented an intimate portrait of the characters of W.S. Gilbert, Arthur Sullivan, and the repertory cast of the original D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, following G&S’s inspiration and development of the very first Mikado production.

Over the past decade, The Mikado has prompted a great deal of discussion in New York and in other cities across the United States about bringing classic productions, and particularly their performance practices, into the 21st Century. In 2015, when the Asian-American community spoke directly to our company, raising concerns over representation in traditional Mikado performance practice, NYGASP listened for a simple reason—it was the right thing to do. One year later we created an imaginative new production which all communities, audiences and artists could embrace. The show opened to sold out crowds and critical acclaim in December of 2016 and was revived for its second successful New York City run this winter. We are proud to share this production, which upholds The Mikado’s musical score, setting, characters, storytelling, themes, and most of all its universal satire of human nature, with audiences across the country.

In this Mikado, representation of life on stage is no-longer a depiction of Japanese people, but rather a fantastical portrait of Victorians in a dream world that is inspired by the Japanese culture that had captivated England at the time of The Mikado’s creation.

Our framing of The Mikado is simply a more explicit articulation of Gilbert’s intent when he said “[The Mikado] was never a story about Japan but about the failings of the British government.”

Our company has also, for its entire history, firmly held the belief that modern topical references are appropriate to make the audience’s experience as immediate as it was for the audiences of the 19th century. Londoners would have understood many of Gilbert’s references to popular figures and places of the time. We believe that theatre is a living medium and that judicious revisions are appropriate, whether they be for reasons of entertainment, understanding, or changing cultural sensibilities. Therefore, our long established practice of inserting

topical references is ever present for the audience to enjoy in this production. However, it is the universal truth of The Mikado that has endured and delighted us through the decades. There is nothing more universal than death, and in The Mikado, Gilbert’s dark humor makes us laugh at this most common of all aspects of the human condition. Vanity, acting before thinking of the consequences, the artifices of social behavior, the corrupting influence of power, and many other easily identifiable foibles are all the objects of Gilbert’s wit. Are these not deliciously topical in today’s socio-political environment?

Add to this heady mixture an element of genuine pathos for the piece’s villainess and one quickly recognizes why this story still intrigues and fascinates us 135 years after its creation.

We hope you enjoy our new production of The Mikado. Please pass your love of Gilbert & Sullivan to our youth, so that they may sing its beauty “with joyous shout and ringing cheer” for the ages to come.

The Mikado Advisory Committee: Robert Lee & Scott Watanabe – Lead Advisors

Cáitlín Burke, Randal Eng, Steven Eng, Dr. Jonathan Ichikawa, Christine Toy Johnson, Daniel Larsen, Orville Mendoza, Erin Quill, Minami Yusui, Katherine Zhao

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST

DAVID AUXIER (W.S. Gilbert/Pish-Tush/ Director/Prologue Author) Isaac Asimov Award Recipient for Artistic Achievement 2015–16. Favorite NYGASP roles: Captain Corcoran (Pinafore), Sergeant (Pirates), Pish-Tush (Mikado). Mr. Auxier has been co-director and company choreographer since 2010 and has worked in or on all 13 G&S operas. He conceived and directed the all-new critically acclaimed, reimagined production of The Mikado and the awardwinning hit G&S cabaret revue I’ve Got a Little Twist, and wrote the book for NYGASP’s original G&S à la Carte! David is also a MAC Award-nominated songwriter and is currently penning an all-original musical. davidauxier.com

CAITLIN BOREK (Ensemble) Caitlin is thrilled to join NYGASP The Mikado. She was last seen in H.M.S. Pinafore and The Gondoliers in New York City. This past

summer she played Cinderella at The Fireside Theatre. Some of her favorite roles include Christine in Phantom, Nellie in South Pacific, and Cosette in Les Misérables. She would like to thank her family, her boyfriend Bret and her voice teacher Scott Flaherty for their unyielding love and support.

MICHAEL J. CONNOLLY (Ensemble)

Michael has performed the entire G&S canon with NYGASP. Other credits include The Cherry Orchard and A Christmas Carol (both at the McCarter Theatre), Alan Ayckbourn's Joking Apart (Rev. Hugh Emerson), a world premiere with Centenary Stage Company in New Jersey, a new adaptation of Chekhov's Platonov (Sergei) at Columbia University, Twelfth Night (Malvolio), She Loves Me (Arpad), Bye Bye Birdie (Hugo) and Sweeney Todd. Michael trained at LAMDA in London (MA), studied engineering at Princeton and has also been caught behind the scenes playing the trombone.

CAMILO ESTRADA (Ensemble) is a proud NYGASP member since 2016! NYGASP productions include The Yeomen of the Guard (Ensemble), The Pirates of Penzance (Samuel/ Ensemble), and The Mikado(Ensemble/ Nanki- Poo US). Other credits include Quillén (Quillén) at NY Theater Festival Winterfest,

Aladdin (Aladdin: A Musical Panto) with People’s Light, Orlando Calderon (Anxiety Stew) at the Cherry Lane Theater, and Pásek (Příhody lišky Bystroušky) with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble. Camilo holds his BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University.

MICHAEL GALANTE (Ensemble) NYGASP since 1987! Michael has performed the entire G&S canon and The Rose of Persia with NYGASP. Credits include Lord Dramaleigh in Utopia, Limited, and Francesco in The Gondoliers. Other theatre credits include: Flute (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Fenton (The Merry Wives of Windsor), Lennie (Of Mice and Men) and Moonface (Anything Goes). Michael was the 2008–2009 recipient of NYGASP’s Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement.

KATIE HALL (Ensemble) A NYGASP alto since the turn of the century, roles include Kate (Pirates), Chloe (Princess Ida), Ruth (Ruddigore) and other show-stealing turns as Contadina, Yeowoman, Titiputian, South Pacific Island Viviparian, General’s Daughter, Admiral’s Aunt, Sultan's Sister-Wife and an assortment of Bridesmaids (Amateur and Pro). Katie was honored to be the 2016–2017 recipient of NYGASP’s Isaac Asimov Award.

REBECCA L. HARGROVE (Leonora Braham/ Yum-Yum) Rebecca recently starred in Baltimore Center Stage's production of ‘Our Town’ as Mrs. Webb and in Berkshire Theater Group’s world premiere of B.R.O.K.E.N Code B.I.R.D Switching as Katherine Morgan. Currently, she can be heard on Terence Blanchard’s film score for The Woman King Previous productions include ‘Fire Shut up in My Bones (Blanchard) and the 2020 Grammy Award Winning Porgy & Bess (The Metropolitan Opera), Evita and Cabin in the Sky (City Center Encores!), and The Garden of the Finzi-Contini (New York City Opera). Follow her updates at RebeccaLHargrove. com and on IG/FB @rhargrov.

AMY MAUDE HELFER (Jessie Bond/PittiSing) G&S: Iolanthe, Phoebe, Tessa, Kate, Pitti-Sing, Melissa, Angela (NYGASP), Ruth (Utopia Opera), Phoebe (Winter Opera St. Louis). Recently: Rosina (Barber) at NY City Opera, Petra (Night Music) at Union Avenue Opera, Carmen at Narnia Festival, Dinah (Trouble in Tahiti) at Boheme Opera-NJ, Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd) at Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Berta (Barber) and Mercédès at Opera Theater of CT, Vera (Consul) and Nancy (Albert Herring) at Bronx Opera, Cherubino at Dayton Opera, Lord Nelson Mass and American Rhapsody at Carnegie Hall. Lotte

Lenya Competition semifinalist. Proud member of AEA and 2021–2022 recipient of NYGASP’s Isaac Asimov Award. For Mom. amymaudehelfer.com

HANNAH HOLMES (Ensemble) joined NYGASP with Mikado in 2016, and has since performed in Pirates (Edith), Ruddigore, Iolanthe, and H.M.S. Pinafore. An Iowa native, Hannah’s love for G&S began at Ohio Light Opera, where she performed both Ruth and Kate (Pirates) and Vittoria (Gondoliers). Other favorite roles at OLO include The Witch (Into the Woods), Molly Gray (Girl Crazy), Lois Lane (Kiss Me, Kate) and The Old Lady (Candide). In the City, she performs regularly with the Victor Herbert Renaissance Project, as well as a number of professional choral ensembles including the Bard Festival Chorale & the Virtuoso Singers.

SARAH HUTCHISON (Sybil Grey/Peep-Bo)

Proud NYGASP-er both in New York and on tour since 2009! Other recent projects: Tennessee Williams' Not About Nightingales (Empirical Theatre); various readings at the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, and recording projects at Avatar Studios and with Grammy® Award-winning sound engineer/producer Mikaelin "Blue" BlueSpruce. She is grateful for her amazing family & friends' continued love and support. Graduate of Muhlenberg College; proud member of Actors’ Equity and the Patrick Page Studio. “Keep calm and patter on...”

CLAIRE LEYDEN (Ensemble) is excited to return for a third season with NYGASP! National Tours: Mrs. Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Other G&S: Mabel (Pirates) at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts; Aline (Sorcerer) and Kate (Yeomen) with College Light Opera Company; Princess Ida with Village Light Opera Group. NYC/Regional: Heartbeat Opera, Bristol Valley Theater, Victor Herbert Renaissance Project, Axelrod Performing Arts Center. Proud Williams College grad! ClaireLeyden. com

PATRICK LORD-REMMERT (Ensemble) is incredibly excited to be joining NYGASP on tour for The Mikado after making his debut this past fall in The Gondoliers. He was most recently seen on stage in NYC in Heartbeat Opera’s production of Der Freischütz. He holds a Bachelors of Music from Butler University and also studied at the Musik und Kunst Privat Universität der Stadt Wien.

DAVID MACALUSO (Arthur Sullivan/Ko-Ko)

Most recently, Mr. Cox and Creative Producer in NYGASP’s film, Cox & Box. Credits include Sir Joseph and Buttercup (simultaneously) in the NY Drama Desk Award-nominated Pinafore (Vortex Theater), and Robin Oakapple/co-producer of The House of Murgatroyd. Other roles: Sir Joe (Pinafore), Ko-Ko (Mikado), Major General (Pirates), Grosvenor (Patience), Strephon (Iolanthe), Luiz (Gondoliers), Che (Evita), Molina (Kiss of the Spiderwoman), Falke (Fledermaus). Graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and Asimov Award Recipient. DavidSings.info

JOHN CHARLES MCLAUGHLIN (NankiPoo) NYGASP since 2013 in The Mikado, Ruddigore, Princess Ida, and Yeomen of the Guard. Recently seen as John Lawless in The Happiest Millionaire 50th Anniversary Concert (Joe's Pub), Crackskull Row (Irish Repertory Theatre), Hard Times, Peter/Wendy, and The Biscuit Club (the cell theatre). Other regional credits include Passion (Arden Theatre Co.) and My Fair Lady (Cardinal Stage). Originally from Hammond, Indiana, he is a graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and a member of Actors’ Equity Association. jcmclaughlin.com

JAMES MILLS (Ensemble) is the 2019–2020 recipient of the Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement. Entire G&S canon onstage with NYGASP for over a decade, as well as stage managing, tech directing, and associate directing. Recently: Lord Chancellor (Iolanthe), Jack Point (Yeomen), John Wellington Wells (Sorcerer), MajorGeneral Stanley (Pirates), Reginald Bunthorne (Patience), Sir Joseph Porter (H.M.S. Pinafore). A fixture of the NYC Nightlife community, James is co-star and co-creator of the all-new drag musical, The Hell’s Kitchenettes. Proud member of AEA.

LANCE OLDS (Ensemble) NYGASP since 1997. Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement recipient 2017–2018. Credits include Dick Deadeye (H.M.S. Pinafore), Antonio ( Gondoliers ), Calynx ( Utopia, Limited), and Strephon (Iolanthe with Light Opera Company of Salisbury). First National Tour: Footloose. Off-Broadway: Mark Twain’s Blues. Regional: Kennedy Center, Seattle Rep, Weston Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, and St. Michael’s Playhouse. Film/TV: MTV’s Eye Candy, Far From Heaven, principal dancer in Disney's Enchanted, Stepford Wives, Mona Lisa Smile, and Kate & Leopold.

KENDRICK PIFER (Ensemble) Soprano

Kendrick Pifer has been a part of NYGASP since 2018, performing in Yeomen, Mikado, Iolanthe, and Pirates. Favorite past credits include Cinderella in Into the Woods and Hope Harcourt in Anything Goes. Kendrick conceived, wrote, and directed the recent NYGASP for Kids’ Iolanthe. When she is not performing, Kendrick can be found studying herbs and acupuncture, working towards her Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Pacific College of Health and Science. Kendrick is an alumnus of Manhattan School of Music where she studied Classical Voice with Neil Rosenshein. @kendrickpifer

LOGAN PITTS (Ensemble) is an NYC-based director, performer, and collaborative artist across theater, opera, film, dance, and music. Favorites: as a Director—Barbecue (SUNY Conservatory), Paradise Blue (Gloucester Stage), Noir Femme Avengers (Harlem9). As a Baritone—Bran Castle (Signature), Bach & Bleach (LaMaMa), West Side Story (Cap21), On the Town (Waxler), ALICE (Tank). As an Actor—The Light Years (NYSAF), I Am Antigone (Theater for a New City), N’MoTion (ARTPARK). As a NYGASPer— Yeomen , Iolanthe, Mikado, Pinafore, Pirates, and The Gondoliers!

CHRIS-IAN SANCHEZ (Ensemble) NYGASP since 2004: entire G&S canon! Other credits include Passing It On (Coconut Grove Playhouse with Len Cariou), Gastone in La Traviata (Queens Symphony Orchestra), Thuy in Miss Saigon (Actor’s Playhouse— Carbonell Nomination, Virginia Music Theatre, Carousel Dinner Theatre, and Surflight Theatre!), Mereb (Aida), Judah (Joseph), Roger (Grease) and Tommy Keeler in Annie Get Your Gun (Surflight Theatre), James the Elder in Jesus Christ Superstar (K.C. Starlight Theatre). Worked with NY City Opera in Dead Man Walking, Carmen, and L’étoile.

MICHELLE SEIPEL (Josephine) NYGASP company member since 2012, most recently seen as Casilda in The Gondoliers and Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore. Credits include Blonde in Die Entführung aus dem Serail and Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro (Geneva Light Opera), Frasquita (New York City Opera’s Carmen European tour), and Musetta in La Bohème (St. Petersburg Opera). Other career highlights: the televised Lincoln Center Carousel, Oliver! national tour, Nellie (South Pacific, Asheville Lyric Opera), Lucia (Lucia

di Lammermoor, Opera Vivente). Originally from Wisconsin, this former actuary earned her MM at the Peabody Conservatory. More at michelleseipel.com.

ANGELA CHRISTINE SMITH (Rosina Brandram/Katisha) recently appeared as Junon in Orphée aux enfers with Opera Company of Middlebury, and Duchess of Plaza-Toro with Winter Opera Saint Louis. Ms. Smith has completed the G&S canon with NYGASP: Dame Hannah, Katisha, Queen of the Fairies, Little Buttercup, Ruth, Lady Blanche, Lady Jane, Duchess of Plaza-Toro, Baroness von Krakenfeldt and Mrs. Partlet. Ms. Smith is a proud member of NYGASP’s award-winning cabaret show I’ve Got a Little Twist, and a recipient of the Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement.

MATTHEW WAGES (Richard D’Oyly Carte/ Pooh-Bah) 2022–2023 Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement. In addition to Shakespeare, Musical Theatre and Educational Series, Mr. Wages has performed 18 different principal bass and baritone roles with NYGASP since 2015. Dramatis Personae: Pirate King, Pooh-Bah, Lord Mountararat, Giuseppe Palmieri, Sergeant of Police, Sir Despard Murgatroyd, Wilfred Shadbolt, Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre, Florian,

Major Murgatroyd, Samuel, Bouncer (Cox & Box), Tare/Poppytop/de Vere (Ages Ago/ Mr. Jericho), I’ve Got A Little Twist, Roderic (Ruddygore: Revisited) G&S Festival, U.K. Director and Adapter of Cox and Box, the Film! Numerous independent films and shorts. Traveled to 36 countries. Love to Kenji, Jo Jo and Kento. Keep up to date: MatthewWages.com, FB: The Matthew Wages, IG: @MatthewWages.

DAVID WANNEN (Richard Temple/The Mikado) NYGASP since 2004: favorites include Pirate King (Pirates), Wilfred Shadbolt ( Yeomen ), Colonel Calverley (Patience ), Paramount (Utopia), Pvt. Willis (Iolanthe), Sultan (Rose of Persia), Arac (Princess Ida), Bill Bobstay (H.M.S. Pinafore) and title role in The Mikado. Tours: Beauty and the Beast (Beast u/s), Camelot with the late Robert Goulet (Lancelot u/s); Regional: Nominated Best Featured Actor by Philadelphia Inquirer for Camelot (Media Theater). Producer, 2017 The Mikado; Co-Producer & Original Cast, I've Got a Little Twist!; Executive Director, NYGASP.

WHO’S WHO IN THE COMPANY

ALBERT BERGERET (Founder/Artistic Director/General Manager) Mr. Bergeret

is a career-long professional specialist in the works of Gilbert & Sullivan, having performed, staged, conducted and designed every opera in the repertoire over a 45-year period. He has directed G&S productions for university students and residency programs for elementary schools. He has been hailed as “The leading custodian of the G&S classics” by New York Magazine (Peter Davis) and his work as both stage and musical director has been widely acclaimed in the press both in New York and on tour throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Mr. Bergeret founded NYGASP in 1974 and has served as Artistic Director/General Manager since its inception. He has conducted and staged all 13 of the works in the G&S canon as well as the company’s smash hit production of George Gershwin’s Of Thee I Sing. He has conducted programs with the Buffalo Philharmonic, Orchestra London in Ontario Canada, Northwest Indiana Symphony and the Erie Philharmonic in a program featuring Metropolitan Opera baritone Robert Goodloe. With NYGASP he has also conducted and directed such diverse personalities as Hal Linden, Steve Allen, John Astin, Pat Carroll, Noel Harrison, John Rubenstein, Louis Quilico, Lando Bartolini, and John Reed, O.B.E.

GENEVIEVE BERGERET (Stage Manager)

Genevieve has stage managed the "big three" for NYGASP, performed the role of Fleta in Iolanthe, as well as many ensemble roles throughout the canon. Oberlin Gilbert and Sullivan Players: Princess Ida (Director), Patience (Saphir), H.M.S. Pinafore (Hebe). Williamstown Theater Festival Apprentice. Genevieve is the daughter of NYGASP founders, Gail Wofford and Albert Bergeret.

ANSHUMAN BHATIA (Set Designer) His designs for opera, dance and theater have been seen at Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts, Dublin’s Civic Theater, Soho Rep, The Public, The Atlantic, Arena Stage in Washington D.C., The Park Avenue Armory, Bard Music Festival, WP Theater, The Juilliard School, Madison Opera, Classic Stage Company, HERE Arts Center, LoftOpera, Ma-Yi Theater Company, Keen Company, Pacific Symphony, Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, Virginia Arts Festival, Rattlestick Theater, The Sheen Center, Troy’s EMPAC. MFA NYU. bhatiadesign.com

ANNETTE DIELI (Assistant Stage Manager)

Credits include crew for Hartford Stage Co., costume assistant at Bronx Opera, Artistic Director of her own puppet company, Assistant stage manager for New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players at City Center and national touring venues. Completed the entire canon of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. Stage Manager: A Brand-New World at The Three Act Theater Company, Separate Tables at Out of the Box Theatre Company. Assistant Stage Manager: The End of Hester at New Light Theater Project. Wardrobe for several NYMF productions.

JAMES MILLS (Associate Artistic Director) is a native of New Mexico and a graduate from the UNM Department of Theatre and Dance. He has worked onstage and off with NYGASP for 15 seasons. Most known for his “patterman” roles, James has stage managed, tech directed, and assistant directed productions for NYGASP, as well as having helmed the many pandemic-era digital presentations. James is a stage director for The College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, MA. As a member of the CLOC National Honorary Committee of Alumni, James takes pride in sharing the legacy of Gilbert & Sullivan with students from around the country.

KELVIN MOON LOH (Assistant Director)

has directed and choreographed for MCC Theater Fresh Plays, Hyper Aware Theater Co., Gladshot Productions, and numerous MAC-nominated cabaret performances. Kelvin is the book writer for Matchmaker Matchmaker I’m Willing to Settle which was performed at A.R.T. Second Stage and NYMF. As a performer, Kelvin was recently seen in The SpongeBob Musical in Chicago, The King and I (Broadway/Lincoln Center), Side Show (Broadway/St. James), Here Lies Love (Public Theater), and American Idiot (1st National Tour), and Beetlejuice on Broadway. Thank you NYGASP and my love, Anthony. KelvinMoon.com

QUINTO OTT (Costume Designer) is a Tucson, Arizona native, a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, and has been a NYGASP company member since 2009. He has redesigned, repaired, rebuilt, and replaced pieces from many of the company’s other wonderful productions including The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, and Iolanthe. Ott also works as a freelance costumer and has built costumes for many regional and national productions including the North American tours of Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, and The Phantom of the Opera. Ott is currently on tour in the The Lion King and designed and built this production from hotel rooms across America. quintoott.com

DAVID WANNEN (Executive Director/ Producer) is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in vocal performance and holds a post-baccalaureate in business from Columbia University. Mr. Wannen is a veteran of the NYGASP stage and a member of the NYGASP board of directors. Mr. Wannen is producer of the all-new criticallyacclaimed production of The Mikado, and coproducer of I’ve Got a Little Twist, NYGASP’s original cabaret. His other responsibilities for NYGASP include fundraising, marketing, board development, and strategic planning. Mr. Wannen is a past president of North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, recently completing six years of service as an officer of the board. He is the recipient of the 2018 Western Arts Alliance Award for Mentorship and an Association of Performing Arts Professionals Leadership Fellow.

BENJAMIN WEILL (Lighting Designer) is happy to be in his 7th season as resident lighting designer for NYGASP. He is the

recipient of the BroadwayWorld New Jersey award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical. He was recently involved in Emma: The Musical and No One Called Ahead, available on StreamingMusicals.com. Other shows include: The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Misérables, Ruddigore, South Pacific, …Charlie Brown, Songs for a New World, The Diary of Anne Frank, Into the Woods, Book of Days, The Crucible, Cloud 9, Cyrano de Bergerac

GAIL J. WOFFORD (Head of Wardrobe/ Co-Founder of NYGASP) holds a Masters of Arts in Theatre Arts from Texas Tech University. As resident costume designer, she designed and constructed costumes for The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Iolanthe, Trial by Jury and other operettas. Gail was Costume Coordinator for N.J. State Opera for 12 years and head of wardrobe for the NY Grand Opera. She has executed projects for WNET, Channel 13, National Tour of Dreamgirls, the film Mission Apollo and worked with numerous opera companies throughout the US.

NEW YORK GILBERT & SULLIVAN PLAYERS

Now in its 48th year of operation, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) is America’s preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble. Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, who has been hailed as “the leading custodian of the G&S classics” by New York Magazine, NYGASP 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 2,500 performances of the G&S masterpieces throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom captivating audiences of all ages.

Mr. Bergeret’s vision for his company’s mission is clear: to build and maintain an ensemble of professional repertory singers, actors, dancers, and musicians dedicated to bringing quality performances of the Gilbert & Sullivan masterpieces to as wide an audience as possible. To do so he has developed a unique blend of creative spontaneity and classical precision which is neither revisionist in nature nor mired in the rigidity of the more typical view of “tradition”. NYGASP’’s productions are

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charged with contemporary energy while retaining that traditional respect for the shows themselves which is so important to Gilbert & Sullivan enthusiasts. The use of elaborate, but relevant, choreography and movement is a particularly important element. Where possible, topical references from the nineteenth century are updated when the original intent would be lost on a modern musical theatre audience, but without disturbing the shape or scope of the material as written. Gilbert’s satire of human foibles and sophisticated wit remain intact, while Sullivan’s evocative scores, which need no revision at all, are given the full range of vocal and orchestral color for which they call.

The company has in its repertory thirteen different complete G&S operettas (cast, orchestra and crew of 50-80 people), special versions of the most popular operettas designed for children’s audiences, and a variety of charming concert programs created especially for NYGASP’s “Wand’ring Minstrels” ensemble.

The company’s recognition and stature

continue to grow. In January of 2002 the company mounted its first triumphant season at New York’s venerable City Center, playing three of its most popular productions to over 20,000 G&S enthusiasts in three weeks. NYGASP has now played a total of nine seasons on the City Center stage.

NYGASP’s annual New York season has included performances at the Peter Norton Symphony Space on Manhattan’s Upper West Side since 1978. NYGASP is performing at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College for its 48th Season. Productions include The Gondoliers, H.M.S. Pinafore, and I’ve Got A Little Twist.

The company’s celebrated ensemble of G&S experts, developed by introducing new singers each year from New York’s immense pool of vocal and theatrical talent, has collaborated with such guest artists as worldrenowned G&S exponent the late John Reed, O.B.E. in numerous comic baritone roles, Tony winner John Rubinstein and Frank Gorshin both as King Gama in Princess Ida, John Astin as Sir Joseph in H.M.S. Pinafore, Hal Linden and Noel Harrison as the Major

General in The Pirates of Penzance, Pat Carroll as Little Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore, and Steve Allen as The Mikado

The company has also produced a unique cabaret act. I’ve Got a Little Twist, created and directed by NYGASP principal David Auxier-Loyola, won a 2010 Bistro Award, is currently touring throughout the country, and appeared on Lincoln Center’s 2011 Atrium series. “Take Gilbert & Sullivan, add a TWIST of Broadway, and stir!” is Twist’s recipe. Highlighting Musical Theatre’s roots in Gilbert & Sullivan, the show is entertaining for all ages.

Touring activities continue throughout the year, frequently featuring productions from the New York season. In June 2010 NYGASP was part of the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Gettysburg, PA. The company returned in August 2014 to the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate, England. NYGASP’s 2023 tours bring the company to venues throughout the Midwest, South, and West.

2022-23 ways to give & benefits

help make our silver jubilee GOLDEN

Opening Nights

Distinguished Artists Fund

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