Set Sail with New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' H.M.S. Pinafore

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

March 27, 2008

Ride a wave of music and laughter as romantic sailors, sisters, cousins, and aunts sing and dance their way across the deck of the fanciful British naval vessel with the improbable name. The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players (NYGASP) return for another highly-energized vision of Gilbert & Sullivan’s work with their production of H.M.S. Pinafore, or The Lass That Loved A Sailor on Saturday, April 12 at 8 pm.

Special Media Sponsor for this performance is Yellow Book USA.

As said by The New York Times, “New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has set a winner to sail [with] unusually able singers and nimble comic actors ... a sunny graceful wit that captures the show’s delicate balance of comedy and sentimentality.” First performed at London’s Opera Comique in 1878, H.M.S. Pinafore’s jabs at the British Navy and rigid Victorian class distinctions has remained popular on both sides of the Atlantic ever since.

With comedy meant to amuse and not provoke, the universal nature of the characters and their shortcomings shines through to any audience, as understandable in the new millennium as it was over 100 years ago.

As the crew of the Pinafore spruces up the deck for the arrival of high-ranking admiral Sir Joseph Porter, all are happy but Ralph Rackstraw, who is in love with the Captain's daughter, Josephine. Ralph pursues her in spite of the fact that they are far apart in terms of class, and she is promised to marry Porter besides.

The two young lovers plan to elope, but the Captain learns of their plans. Just when it appears that tragedy will ensue, the peddler Little Buttercup reveals an outrageous mistake that allows true love to overcome these problems of class distinction.

Author Gilbert’s characters are sharply drawn, from romantic hero Rackstraw and pompous Porter to the villainous Dick Deadeye. Composer Sullivan provides indelible musical introductions: “I’m called Little Buttercup,” “I am the Captain of the Pinafore,” “I am the Monarch of the Sea” -- songs which are among the most famous in the English language.

The choruses also have their share of unforgettable numbers, including the sailors’ "We Sail the Ocean Blue," the ladies’ "And We Are His Sisters, and His Cousins, and His Aunts" and the rousing full ensemble anthem "For He Is an Englishman."

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players’ production of H.M.S. Pinafore features an elaborate setting of a ship’s deck based on drawings by Gilbert himself, as well as beautiful Belle Epoch costumes. Besides the lush sounds of legitimate voices and a full orchestra, this production offers energetic action, lively, choreography and broad comedy.

Founded in 1974 by Artistic Director and General Manager Albert Bergeret, NYGASP draws on the immense pool of professional talent available in New York City, yielding an ensemble with unique style and flair. The company's dynamic blend of contemporary vitality and traditional respect for this specialized repertory is made possible through a dedicated corps of repertory singers, comic actors, and musicians.

Remaining true to the intentions of the creators, NYGASP communicates the inherent humor of the characters and situations to modern musical theatre audiences, showcasing their genuine humanity and timeless satire and keep these works ever up to date.

Seats are still available for NYGASP’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore on Saturday, April 12 at 8 pm. Tickets are $48.50, $51.50, $54.50, and $59.50. Half-price student rush tickets and group discounts are offered.

Tickets are available online or through The Paramount’s Box Office at 434.979.1333.

For more information about NYGASP, please visit www.nygasp.org.