Great Grand Nephew of Sir Arthur Sullivan Set for New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players 2016 Gala

America's Preeminent Gilbert & Sullivan Repertory Ensemble, The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' 2016 Gala, is slated for Sunday, March 13 (4PM) at Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th Street) featuring a performance of their award winning cabaret I've Got a Little Twist! VIP Experience includes a special pre-show lecture by Scott Hayes - great grand nephew of Sir Arthur Sullivan, plus hors d'oeuvres, drinks, a live auction and more.

I've Got a Little Twist. It's where The Mikado meets The Music Man. Where the HMS Pinafore sets sail for Brigadoon. Where The Pirates of Penzance take shore leave On the Town. This one-of a-kind show proves that the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire is as fun, fresh, and full-of-life as, well, three little maids from school!

The production features: Mark York, piano and Music Director/Arranger (Just Jim Dale Show, Off-Broadway Roundabout Theatre); David Auxier, Author, Lyrics, and Director; David Wannen, Angela Christine Smith, Sarah Caldwell Smith, Daniel Greenwood, and Stephen Quint.

Celebrate the legacy of Gilbert & Sullivan! Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, drinks and a live auction with a great variety of items ranging from premium tickets to Paul Taylor Dance and a Yankees-Red Sox game in Boston to four nights at a luxury condo in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Special VIP Experience features a lecture by Sir Arthur Sullivan's great grand nephew Scott Hayes. Mr. Hayes will present some of Sullivan's most interesting letters revealing his humor, warmth and the deep abiding love that he held for his family.

Much is made of Arthur Sullivan's contentious relationship with his creative partner W.S. Gilbert, but, since Sullivan died without children, much less is made of his relationship with his extended family. Fred Sullivan, Arthur's only brother, passed away shortly after the original production of Trial by Jury, in which he portrayed the Learned Judge, and his widow relocated to the West Coast of the United States with several of their children. His California descendent, Scott Hayes, will bring Arthur's sincere affection into vivid personal perspective by interpreting the many letters of his much admired great grand uncle in our VIP pre-show lecture.

Reservations for The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players 2016 Gala on Sunday, March 13 (4PM) at Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th Street) are: $100 VIP Experience; $50 General Admission. VIP Experience includes reserved seating, a limited edition I've Got A Little Twist T-Shirt, lecture by Scott Hayes at3PM, pre-show dessert & champagne reception. To reserve, call 212-769-1000 or visit www.nygasp.org.

Pictured: Daniel Greenwood, Stephen Quint, and David Wannen. Photo by William Reynolds.