New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players Announces Casting for its 40th Anniversary Season's RUDDIGORE

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP), America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, continues its 40th Anniversary Season on November 1st and 2nd with the G&S classic, Ruddigore playing for a limited run at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).

"We are very excited to reach this important milestone," stated NYGASP's Artistic Director, Albert Bergeret. "40 years of producing full scale productions is a serious achievement---but it also demands some special 'topsy turvey' fun! I think NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts will be the perfect location and venue for our productions during this 40thAnniversary year."

Ruddigore or, the Witch's Curse: Thanks to an ancestor who loved torturing witches, the Baronet of Ruddigore is cursed - if he doesn't commit a crime every day, his life will end in agony, and the curse will be handed down to the next in line. No wonder he doesn't stick around to follow through with his destiny. In fact, the Baronet poses as timid farmer Robin Oakapple instead, leaving the title and the curse with his younger brother. But when the ghosts of Baronets past reveal themselves in the Ruddigore Castle picture gallery, he's forced out of hiding and back into the role of daily criminal. To stall his ancestors as long as he can, the Baronet comes up with silly excuses and non-criminal acts like "forging" his own will. But destiny and curses aren't the most flexible of things, so the clever Baronet must figure out a way to make everyone happy in the end, especially himself.

Casting: Sarah Caldwell Smith will bring charm to the village's most sought after beauty, Rose Maybud. The trio of witty and agile comic singing actors (Daniel Greenwood, David Macaluso, and Richard Holmes) will portray the men she attracts at various moments while Caitlin Burke will muster a wacky flair to the scene-stealing role of Mad Margaret. Dashing bass David Wannen brings to life, literally, the ghost of Sir Roderic Murgatroyd and this season's recipient of the coveted Isaac Asimov Award, Erika Person, will warm everyone's heart as the sweet old lady Dame Hannah.

Family Overtures ---ticket holders for the Saturday, November 1st matinee are invited to a free musical introduction (12:45 in the theater) and plot summary led by Artistic Director Albert Bergeret and select cast members - entertaining and informative for the entire family! Your ticket to the production is your ticket to Family Overtures!

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' 40th Anniversary Season will continue with H.M.S. Pinafore: December 26 - December 31 and The Gondoliers: May 15 - May 17, 2015.

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has presented over 2,600 performances throughout the United States, Canada, and England - where the Company will appear this August at the 21st annual International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate, UK. Incorporating a full 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 NYGASP 2014-15 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. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Ruddigore, at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place), will play on Saturday, November 1 (2PM & 8PM) and Sunday, November 2 (3PM). Tickets prices are $89, $79, $69 & $59 with 50% off for children 12 and under (accompanied by an adult) and 10% off for seniors 65 & older. Tickets may be purchased by calling NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts Box office at 212-998-4941 or by visiting www.nygasp.org.

Photo: David Sigafoose

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