Gilbert & Sullivan's THE SORCERER Comes to the Black Box Theatre

Celebrating its 47th anniversary, the Gilbert & Sullivan Company of El Paso presents its 2016 summer production of THE SORCERER. Performances are at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N Main Street in Las Cruces on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17.

The setting for THE SORCERER is a small rural village inhabited by gentry and country folk. A young man, Alexis, is obsessed with idea of love leveling all ranks and social distinctions. To promote his beliefs, he invites the proprietor of J.W. Wells & Co., Family Sorcerers, to brew a love potion. This causes everyone in the village to fall in love with the first person they see and results in the pairing of comically mismatched couples. In the end, Wells must sacrifice his life to break the spell. The satire in the opera is focused on old-fashioned conventions of aristocratic benevolence and grand opera. It is a magical story, filled with topsy-turvy humor and beautiful music.

The production cast is composed of volunteer talent led by Stephanie J. Conwell, Artistic Director. Marsha Watley is Vocal Director and Ballard Coldwell is Piano Accompanist. The Gilbert & Sullivan Company of El Paso was founded in 1969 by its first Artistic Director, Joan Quarm (dec.) to preserve and present the works of W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan. The company is funded and supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

"The Sorcerer" performance times are at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 16 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 17. Tickets are $12.00 regular admission and $10.00 students and seniors over 65. Reservations: (575) 523-1223.