NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players Presents THE GRAND DUKE At Symphony Space

America's foremost Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble, the New YorK Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP), continues its new fall, winter and spring season with "The Grand Duke" on Sunday, November 13th (5PM) at Peter Norton Symphony Space (2535 Broadway at 95th Street). This is a one performance only event!

Under the artistic and music direction of Albert Bergeret, the company has presented over 2,600 performances throughout the United States, Canada, and England. Incorporating a 25-piece 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."

"The rarity of its performance adds interest to our personalized production of The Grand Duke - the last collaboration of Gilbert & Sullivan. Our specialized repertory company brings to bear the collective experience of its many talented artists in blending a traditional respect for the material with carefully crafted up dates to topical references in this hilarious, somewhat subversive, farce. The revised libretto brings the topsy-turvy plot into sharper focus and references to products such as "spam" and "Velveeta cheese" replacing Victorian items of miserly interest re-creates the intended show stopping hilarity of one particular duet. Add in Gilbert's absurdist notion of a theatrical company plotting to rule a small Duchy according to professional position, with typically delightful musical realization's by Sullivan, and you have an entertainment sure to appeal to the actor in all of us! stated Mr. Bergeret.

The tangled plot of The Grand Duke, or The Statutory Duel involves an acting troupe engaged in a conspiracy to overthrow the miserly and mean spirited grand duke of a small German duchy. When the troupe's leading comedian, Ludwig, accidentally discloses the conspiracy to the Grand Duke's detective, only by means of a rigged statutory duel, fought with cards rather than weapons, is a mass execution avoided - with Ludwig installed as Grand Duke for a day. Then a series of weddings ensues for Ludwig, the first to the love of his choice and thereafter to women with legally binding and over-riding claims on the unwitting new Grand Duke, winding up with the arrival of The Prince of Monte Carlo and his daughter The Princess who was betrothed to The Grand Duke in infancy. Through his invention of roulette The Prince has escaped from poverty and come to claim The Grand Duke's hand for his daughter. When it is revealed that the rigged statutory duel, won by an ace over a king, was incorrectly ruled upon because the statute explicitly states that the ace shall count as the lowest - not the highest - card, all are restored to their proper loves and a truly joyous multiple wedding celebration occurs.

The NYGASP 2011-12 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.

Performance times for The New YorK Gilbert & Sullivan Players' 37th season at the Peter Norton Symphony Space (2535 Broadway at 95th Street) are as follows: The Grand Duke - Sunday, November 13th (5PM); The Pirates of Penzance - Wednesday, December 28th (3PM); Thursday, December 29th (7PM); Friday, December 30th (8PM); Saturday, December 31st (3PM & 8PM ~ ticket price for the evening performance includes complimentary champagne toast!); Sunday, January 1st (3PM); Patience -March 11th (5PM); Iolanthe - Saturday, May 19th (3PM & 8PM) & Sunday, May 20th (3PM).

The week-long engagement of The Pirates of Penzance will be filled with exciting events and activities for the whole family including "Bring Your Grandparents Day" on Wednesday, December 28th; a pre-show Savoy Dialogue on Thursday, December 29th; a pre-show Family Overture on Saturday afternoon, December 31st; and the annual New Year's Eve Champagne Gala on Saturday evening, December 31st.

G&S FEST tickets are priced from $87 to $67, with $8 off for seniors and half price tickets for children 12 and under. All prices are $10 more on New Year's Eve. Information and tickets can be obtained by phoning (212) 864-5400 or by visiting www.nygasp.org. Discounted multiple buy ticket packages are available only through the NYGASP office at 212-769-1000.