Blue Hill Troupe's UTOPIA LIMITED Opens Tonight

What happens when a global superpower imposes its social conventions and political practices on a smaller, less "civilized" nation? Utopia Limited, Gilbert & Sullivan's "shockingly relevant satire of imperialism and globalization," tackles this question in a fresh new edition by the Blue Hill Troupe (http://www.bht.org), opening tonight at 8 pm at El Teatro of El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street). The run continues through April 28.

 

Although it was written over a century ago, the work features "scathing political satire and demonstrates a level of resonance with current events, world finance, and global politics that is positively eerie. Well-meaning but hapless ruler controlled by conniving, self-interested cronies? Check. Vibrant, politically aware princess with progressive ideas? Check. Smooth-talking policy wonks selling their lies with song and dance? A reactionary movement that's just a few ideas short of an uprising? Check and check! Of course, there are also romantic entanglements, glorious music, sumptuous costumes, lavish sets, and unmiked singers over a full orchestra."

 

Tickets to Utopia Limited range in price from $28 to $100 and are available online at http://www.bht.org/utopia.php or by calling 866-811-4111. Payment in excess of $20 per ticket is tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

 

Student rush tickets: $10 at the box office with valid student ID at these performances: April 20, 24 and 25 at 8 pm.

 

The Blue Hill Troupe is New York City's only musical theater group to donate its net proceeds to charity. Proceeds fromUtopia Limited will benefit "I Have A Dream" Foundation® - New York Metro Area (http://www.ihaveadreamfoundation-ny.org/).

 

Since 1924, the Blue Hill Troupe has produced a large-scale Gilbert & Sullivan operetta every spring, with lavish production values and full orchestra. Each year, the net proceeds benefit a different New York City charity, with the impressive total donated topping $3.5 million. Prior charities include The Carter Burden Center for the Aging (2011), The New York Foundling (2010), Inwood House (2009), and Covenant House New York (2008). The all-volunteer Blue Hill Troupe has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. For fifteen years, they presented a concert in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Concerts and Lectures series, and they continue to concertize in venues around the city.

 

In its 88-year history, the Blue Hill Troupe has produced the entire Gilbert & Sullivan canon, including Thespis, the pair's first collaboration, to which Sullivan's score has been lost. In June 2008, the Blue Hill Troupe presented a concert version of Thespis, with a new score by Grammy Award-winning composer and record producer Thomas Z. Shepard. In 2005, the Blue Hill Troupe was honored with three awards at the 12th Annual International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton, UK, for its innovative production of the G&S rarity, The Grand Duke.

 

The Blue Hill Troupe accepts applications for membership each fall. For more information, visit http://bht.org/join.php.