Spring 2024: The Grand Duke
Performances
May 10, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
May 11, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
May 12, 2024, 2 p.m.
May 17, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
May 18, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
May 19, 2024, 2 p.m.
All performances held at Downtown United Presbyterian Church (DPC).
Synopsis
In the Grand Duke, Gilbert and Sullivan come full circle, back to the theme of their first collaboration: A troupe of actors takes political power. The story contains a number of hilarious moments and funny characters, the settings are colourful and the music is cheery and flavourful. Some find this opera to be the most underrated of the G&S works.
Ludwig, an actor, replaces the company manager, Ernest, and then he replaces the miserly Grand Duke Rudolph of Pfennig Halbfennig, after "killing" each of them by drawing the ace from a deck of cards in two "statutory" duels. By winning the statutory duels, Ludwig assumes all of Ernest's and Rudolph's rights and obligations. Soon he finds himself with far more wives, and prospective wives, than he knows what to do with. Never fear: once again, a lawyer solves the problem and all ends happily.
Director: Amanda Lobaugh
Music Director: Emily Mills
Producers: Charles Palella, Albert Young Jr.
Cast
- Ludwig
- Skye Kelley
- Lisa (a soubrette)
- Morena Heyden
- Grand Duke Rudolph of Pfennig Halbpfennig
- Francois Bessing
- Julia Jellicoe (an English Actress)
- Karen Seidel
- Baroness Caroline von Krakenfeldt
- Carla Cogliandro
- Ernest Dummkopf (a Theatrical Manager)
- Charles Palella
- Dr. Tannhauser (a Notary)
- Sean Maher
- The Prince of Monte Carlo
- Edward Medina-Torres
- Jacintha (The Princess of Monte Carlo)
- Regan Welkey
- Gretchen
- Rebecca Brink
- Elsa
- Liz Ferderbar
- Bertha
- Tamara Kelley
Chorus
Terry Benedict, Tristan Berlet, Audrone Gecas, Noah Gottlieb, Bill Hammond, Jordu Kelly-Sutliff, Rachel Lockhart, David Raymond, Laurel Schneiderman, Martin Schneiderman, Wayne Vander Byl, Clara Weinert
Orchestra
- Clarinet
- Suzanne Bell, Sophia Fellenz
- Flute
- Debbie Deane
- Horn
- Mary Ann Conley
- Oboe
- Susan Kieren
- Piano
- Emily Mills
- Trombone
- Justin Karnisky
- Trumpet
- John Engstrom, Leslie MacDonald