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As the winter chill settles over New England, the Sudbury Savoyards are preparing to transport audiences to the sunny, sparkling canals of 1750s Venice. For their milestone 65th anniversary season, the renowned community theater group will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers; or, The King of Barataria at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School later next month.
Known for being one of the few companies in New England to perform the Gilbert & Sullivan canon as “Theater on a Grand Scale,” this year’s production promises to be an energetic musical comedy that blends the spectacle of Broadway with the musical richness of opera.
According to the Savoyards “The Gondoliers is a boisterous, musical comedy that combines the spectacle of Broadway with the grandeur of opera. Take a trip to 1750s Venice, brought to life with striking custom-built sets, historical costumes, and lively choreography. The wedding day of two handsome young gondoliers is thrown into chaos by the revelation that one of them is not a humble oarsman at all, but rather the heir of the immeasurably wealthy King of Barataria! The couples’ celebration is short-lived when it is revealed that the prince was wed in infancy to the beautiful daughter of the bumbling Duke of Plaza-Toro. This enduring satire of social class, political idealism, and romance is sure to delight seasoned Gilbert and Sullivan aficionados and newcomers alike.”
True to their mission since 1961, the Savoyards are a 100% volunteer organization. However, the production quality is anything but amateur. The show boasts a principal cast of some of the Boston area’s top operatic talents. (Sudbury Weekly reviews of prior Savoyards performances, authored by Ellen Gitelman, are available here and here.)
The principals are supported by a large community chorus and a full orchestra—sometimes featuring as many as 30 pieces—under the baton of award-winning Musical Director Aldo Fabrizi.
The Savoyards are offering a unique opportunity for families and theater buffs during the matinee performances on February 21, 22, and 28. Attendees at these shows are invited to explore the stage immediately following the performance. During these educational tours, visitors can get a close-up look at the custom-built sets and historical costumes, as well as meet the actors and orchestra members to learn how the “stage magic” is created.
Ticket Information Performances will be held at the ADA-accessible Kirshner Auditorium Theater at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Tickets range from $18 to $45 and are available now.
Performance Schedule:
- Saturday, Feb. 21: 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM
- Sunday, Feb. 22: 1:30 PM
- Friday, Feb. 27: 7:30 PM
- Saturday, Feb. 28: 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM
For tickets and more information, visit www.SudburySavoyards.org.
Stage Direction by Sara DeLong
Music Direction by Aldo Fabrizi
Choreography by Tess Klibanoff
Approximate run time 2.5 hours with 15-minute intermission.
[Feature Image Credit: Marianne Orlando Illustrations]