NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players Sets Cast for Winter Run of H.M.S. PINAFORE

After a sell-out engagement with their new production of The Sorcerer, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, continues its new and exciting 2017-18 Season with the audience favorite H.M.S. Pinafore playing for a strictly limited engagement (December 28-31) at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (East 68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues).

This season's H.M.S. Pinafore features a solid corps of veteran NYGASP performers, headlined by James Mills who brings both youthful energy and seasoned expertise to his portrayal of the pompous bureaucrat Sir Joseph Porter. Opposite him is the Pinafore's beleaguered ship's Captain Corcoran, played by silver tongued David Auxier who never makes a mistake, well hardly ever. Next are two sailors of contrary opinions, handsome bass David Wannen as the likeable Boatswain's mate and longtime NYGASP favorite Louis Dall'Ava as the villainous Dick Deadeye - the only crew member who insists on telling the ugly truth. The romantic interest is supplied by dynamic soprano Kate Bass as the conflicted Captain's daughter and two stalwart tenors, Cameron Smith and Daniel Greenwood, alternating as the lowly but refined sailor Ralph Rackstraw. The melodramatic plot is foreshadowed, and resolved, by the "plump and pleasing person" Little Buttercup, fittingly played by charming NYGASP regular Angela Christine Smith. Small roles of Sir Joseph's overbearing Cousin Hebe and the Carpenter's mate are played respectively by mezzo Victoria Devany and bass Jason Whitfield.

The singing and dancing ensemble of sailors, sisters, cousins and aunts fill the stage with visual and vocal excitement under the buoyant direction of conductor and NYGASP founder Albert Bergeret, accompanied by 25 orchestral musicians.

Behind the scenes, the costumes of NYGASP co-founder Gail J. Wofford remain crisp and evocative while the lighting of Benjamin Weill accents the comedic, sentimental, and dramatic moments played out on the deck of the ironically named ship.

H.M.S Pinafore - This early satirical sendup helped Gilbert and Sullivan chart a new course for modern musical theatre. The captain's daughter has caught the eye - and the heart - of two men at once: a lowly sailor and the pompous Sir Joseph Porter. Only a bumbling baby-farmer named Little Buttercup can unravel this mess of mistaken identities and mismatched marriages. Filled with infectious tunes and featuring a rousing finale, it's no wonder this classic comedy still makes a modern-day splash!

In the fourth collaboration between Gilbert & Sullivan, H.M.S. Pinafore became their first instant hit. Premiering in London in 1878, H.M.S. Pinafore is among the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. Countless productions have been presented globally for the past 139 years!

The NYGASP 2017-18 season is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

H.M.S. Pinafore at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (East 68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues) will play Thursday, December 28 (3pm, Bring Your Grandparents Days!); Friday, December 29 (7:30pm); Saturday, December 30 (2pm, Family Overture at 12:45pm!); Saturday, December 30 (7:30pm); and Sunday, December 31 (3pm).

Spend New Year's Eve with the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players! Make plans now to join NYGASP's Artistic Director Albert Bergeret and his talented and fun loving crew for their annual New Year's Eve Champagne Gala performance! Sunday, December 31 at Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th Street). Visit nygasp.org/nye2017 for more information.

The season will continue with Ruddigore at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (East 68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues) on Saturday, April 14, 2018 (2pm & 7:30pm) and Sunday, April 15, 2018 (3pm). For more information and tickets, visit www.nygasp.org or call 212-769-1000.

Photo Credit: William Reynolds

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