H.M.S. Pinafore
This seaworthy satire of overblown and romanticized nationalism put the wind in Gilbert & Sullivan’s sails and marked the beginning of modern musical theater. The captain’s daughter, Josephine, has caught the eye—and the heart—of both lowly seaman Ralph Rackstraw and pretentious First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter. While the Captain and Sir Joseph sing the praises of polite etiquette and equality to the crew, they change their tune when Josephine and Ralph try to elope. The sailors and Sir Joseph’s groupies (known as his sisters, and his cousins, and his aunts) plot to assist the lovers while swirling across the deck of the famous ship named for a little girl’s bib dress! Only a bumbling baby-farmer named Little Buttercup can unravel the mess of mistaken identities and mismatched marriages. The epitome of concise theatrical storytelling, each character is introduced with a memorable signature song, true love overcomes class barriers, and an intentionally ludicrous ending, where Ralph and the Captain switch places, results in 3 weddings.
“...New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players has set a winner to sail...unusually able singers and nimble comic actors...a sunny graceful wit that captures the show’s delicate balance of comedy and sentimentality.””
“Pinafore will sweep you away...Don’t be surprised to find your feet tapping to the joyous melodies, merry choruses and and patter songs...enjoy the wit and satire, share the wonderful music and spoof...the cast threads and dances its way across the decks with agility and kaleidoscopic motion.”