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From Artistic Director Albert Bergeret…
I sometimes wonder how to justify asking for contributions to support the activities of a Gilbert & Sullivan company in the face of desperately pressing political, social, and health related needs. The answer is fairly simple, but one which I have not always been able to conceive and some people may not have considered. Cultural offerings, and light-hearted entertainment in particular, are quality of life factors which help protect us from the despair which those pressing needs can bring on in our daily lives. What better way to enrich one’s outlook than by laughing at the reflection of individual and institutional foibles and excesses as portrayed with wit, beauty, class, and timeless relevance in the works of Gilbert & Sullivan?
Bringing Gilbert’s deliciously clever lyrics to life over Sullivan’s richly inventive scores is something of which we never tire. As Allan Kozinn stated in his review of NYGASP’s Mikado in The New York Times this January, “If only its season stretched through the year instead of being confined to a few weeks every January.”
If only…
As part of a recent strategic planning process undertaken by our Board, we re-ignited our mission of “giving vitality to the living legacy of Gilbert & Sullivan through performance and education.” Even as we make plans for our seventh season at City Center next January, we continue to explore the possibilities of expanding our New York presence to include a summer season in New York, or perhaps establishing a regular presence in another major metropolitan area. As you may already know, in addition to our annual performances at City Center and Symphony Space, we regularly tour to venues outside of New York, offer “Wand’ring Minstrels” ensemble performances for private and public functions, conduct school residency programs, and engage in other ongoing educational activities. We are proud to remain the only professional American company currently touring the G&S classics, and the only company to make available free performances of G&S for thousands of NYC public school students each season.
But simply maintaining our current schedule requires money, and as always, we face the delicate balance between the need to develop new audiences and to satisfy the desires of our loyal fans. For over thirty years,it has been through the generous support of friends like you that we have been able to keep alive the works of Gilbert & Sullivan. We are grateful for your continued support and ask that you please contribute any amount you can to our annual fund.
That’s an elegant overview of where NYGASP stands and of our immediate need. If you are inspired to make a tax-deductible contribution, please download and mail in or fax the PDF form below to:
