The Gilbert and Sullivan Newsletter Archive

The Trumpet Bray

NEGASS
New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society
P. O. Box 367, Arlington, MA 02174-0004

"Ye torrents roar! Ye tempests howl!"

Vol. XX, No. 4
December, 1995


We've only sold one since Christmas



A G&S CHRISTMAS: On December 17 at 3:00 PM we'll meet at the First Parish Church in Watertown to enjoy a festive performance of A Gilbert and Sullivan Christmas Carol, performed by YOU (with piano accompaniment by Mike Bromberg). Solo roles are still open, and there's plenty of fun for the chorus, too so call President Dick Freedman, who's organizing this gala, and let him know what you'd like to sing. (His phone number and email address are on the back page of the Bray.) He'll send you the words as soon as you ask for them and you can keep them with you while you're performing, so don't let fearofmemorization hold you back. Moreover, this is a justforfun afternoon, so don't let fearofnotbeinggoodenough hold you back, either. If you want to do it, you're good enough!

HOW TO GET THERE: First Parish Church is located near Watertown Square, the intersection of Mt. Auburn, Galen, Arsenal and Main St. (Rt. 20) in Watertown. From the Square take Main St. one block west to Church St. (at the traffic light), then travel north one block on Church. You'll find the church on a hill overlooking a parking lot adjacent to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Public transportation IS available: take the #71 bus from Harvard Square to Watertown Square the church is within easy walking distance. If you'd prefer a ride, call Program Chair Sheldon Hochman or Membership PoohBah Bill Mahoney for people in your area to contact.


What's this all about? Somebody set Dickens' classic story to Sullivan's music, is what. We've just received email from Frances Yasprica of the NY G&S Society, who tells Us she saw this performed a few years ago, and really enjoyed it especially, as she recalls it, "The Ghost's High Noon" as sung by Marley's ghost. President Dick has sent Us the following list of roles (genderindeterminate roles marked with an asterisk) and what they sing:

Dramatis Personae:

Balladeer* A Wandering Minstrel
Narrator* Reading from Charles
Dickens
PoohBah Lord High Everything
Else
Ebenezer Scrooge A Greedy Banker
Bob Cratchit Scrooge's Clerk
Emily Cratchit Cratchit's Wife
Tiny Tim Cratchit* Cratchit's Son
Fred Scrooge Scrooge's Impoverished
Nephew
Dora Lincoln Fred's Fiancee
Mr. Kindheart A Philanthropist
Mr. Goodman Another Philanthropist
Old Fezziwig A Memory
PasserBy A fourth Citizen
Jacob Marley's Ghost A Spectral Visitation
(continued)
Ghost of Samuel A Piratical Visitation
Ghost of Christmas Past* A Spectral Visitation
Ghost of Christmas Present* A Spectral Visitation
Ghost of Christmas Future* A Spectral Visitation
Chorus of Ghosts
Three Gossips*
Chorus of Citizens
Musical Numbers:

1 "On a street in December, a little old man
Snapped "Bah humbug, bah humbug,
bah humbug!"...
to the tune of "TitWillow"
Balladeer

2 "My name is Scrooge"
... to "I am so Proud"
Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim

3 "We've come to collect for the poor, tra la"
... to "The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring" Kindheart, Goodman, and Scrooge

4 "Oh, better far to live as head/ of Scrooge and Marley, Limited"
... to "Oh, Better Far"
Scrooge

5a "Beware, Beware"
Ghost of Marley, and Scrooge
5b "I am the very model of the mystic supernatural"
Ghost of Marley, Ghost of Samuel, Chorus of Ghosts

6 "Three Little Ghosts for Scrooge are we"
Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future

7a "But stay, what is this fairy form I see before me"
(Sorcerer)
Scrooge
7b "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past"
... to "I am the Monarch of the Sea"
Ghost of Christmas Past, and Chorus

8a "Eat, Drink and be Gay"
... to "Eat, Drink and be Gay" (Sorcerer)
Fezziwig
8b "For the merriest fellows are they"
... to "For the Merriest Fellows are We"
Fezziwig and Chorus

9a "But Who is This"
(Patience)
Scrooge
9b "I know a youth"
(Ruddigore)
Ghost of Christmas Present, and Scrooge

10 "I am the nephew of Mr. Scrooge"
... to "I am the Captain of the Pinafore"
Fred and Chorus

11 "Now to the Banquet we Press"
(Sorcerer)
Bob, Tiny Tim, Mrs. Cratchit, and Chorus

12 "Now that's the house"
... to "I Stole the Prince"
Three Gossips, Scrooge, and Chorus of Citizens

13 "My eyes are fully open to my awful situation"
Scrooge, Kindheart, and Bob Cratchit

14 "Hooray for Mr. Scrooge"
... to "He is an Englishman"
Goodman and Chorus

So turn to the last page of this rag, find Dick's number or address, and ask him for your role! mlc





BrayStuffing: Since the people in attendance at the latest stuffing were all Board members, and since we had a serious matter to discuss i.e., the Newton Library's proposal to accept a Warren Colson Memorial Library, with certain restrictions we put Engaged back on the shelf 'til this month, and talked. The sense of the meeting, attended (If We recollect correctly) by Peter Cameron, Don Smith, Carl Weggel, and Ourself, with a late appearance by Carol Mahoney [forgive Us if We've missed anyone it's been a hairy month] was that we ought to tell the Newton Library, "Thank you for your kindly proffer... yet we must decline your offer..." Not that we're engaged to SoAndSo, but simply that it doesn't go far enough. It doesn't deal with the materials those of us present most wanted to see in a permanent collection ephemera (programs, photos, collectibles), and valuable and/or rare books and recordings (for instance, NEGASS's soontogrow holdings of Broude Bros. publications). It's true that most of these ephemera are merely a gleam in NEGASS's eye at the moment we think there are collections of, say, the Sudbury Savoyards' programs for the past 30 years, or old photos of Harvard G&S, or videotapes of MITG&SP, which would be eagerly donated and would be used frequently if available but who knows for sure? Nobody tells Us anything.

Don brought up another thought: He understands that NEGASSer Peter Zavon (originally from this area, but currently in a Rochester, NY, suburb) has visited Boston University, attempting to see their collection of memorabilia donated by Martyn Green and was told that it was still in its original shipping boxes. (Green's been dead for 10 years.) Don wasn't certain if Peter even got to see it. Our subsequent suggestion, with a bit of correction & input from others, was that NEGASS, taking advantage of recent highpriced membership donations, might want to in some way subsidize a graduate student interested in writing a thesis about something related to G&S and the uncatalogued Green collection for instance, about Green himself, about G&S in New England, about Victorian theater and its influence through the 20th century, or about Community Theater... Or perhaps we could subsidize a library school student who wants to do a related cataloging project. NEGASS could present this as a gift to BU, with the understanding that this graduate student's project would then be carried on by other students, who'd be in charge of a permanent, archival Warren Colson Memorial Collection at Boston University.

What do NEGASSers think? The Board is working with very little input from the membership. Is there interest in any of these projects? Would people like to see a G&S library in the area? What would you like to see in it? Let us know! our names and numbers are all on the back page of the Bray. mlc



Tentative 199596 Meeting Schedule:
12/17 A G&S Christmas Carol (see above)
1/21 TBA
2/25 LMLO GONDOLIERS (Produced by
Patricia Brewer)
3/31 TBA
5/5 Sudbury Retrospective (PRINCESS IDA)
6/9 Election/Business meeting AND G&S Collecting
(Hosted by J. Donald Smith)


~ NEXT BRAY COPY DEADLINE: December 31 ~

Next BrayStuffing: On Sunday, January 7, 1996 at 3 PM we'll meet at 13 Cottage Avenue, Arlington, MA to fold & stuff the Bray and to read through the third act of Gilbert's Engaged. Call Us at (617) 6469115 for directions and further information. mlc
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Welcome, Welcome, Welcome We new member Paul Gricus from Rhode Island, who lists himself as an Enthusiastic Audience. Let's see if NEGASS can tempt you onto the stage at a DoYourOwn performance meeting! Hearty Greetings Offer We! mlc
TELL US, TELL US ALL ABOUT IT!!! Don Smith, after reading last month's Bray, tells Us: New member Michael Miano (with the APO address) is located in Germany. I met him in Buxton. He was doing the reviews for Precious Nonsense [the Midwestern G&S Soc newsletter mlc]... Apparently indefatigable correspondent John Ambler is finally fatigued: The final edition of his Suncoast Savoyards newsletter has arrived, with the news that poor health has finally led him to lay down his wordprocessor. We still expect to receive occasional tidbits from John, anyway!




THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK: GILBERT'S OPERA SULLIVANIZED Gilbert's very first twoact comic opera appeared in 1870 with music by Frederic Clay. As with another GilbertClay collaboration, HAPPY ARCADIA, the music to THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK seems to have disappeared. Once again, I've turned to the music of Sir Arthur Sullivan to concoct a complete performing version of Gilbert's delightful libretto. The Saint Paul's School in Concord, NH, will be mounting a fullystaged production in February (see Calendar for details). The opera tells of the hideous but enormously seductive Baron Otto Von Schlachenstein, the village beauty Bertha Von Bompopplesdorf, the simple peasant Hans Gopp, the evil steward Grumpff, and many more droll characters such as The Gentleman in Black, who has powers to transfer souls from one body to the next. THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK is the protoSavoy opera; Gilbert is at his wittiest and you'll hear a lovely Sullivan score drawn from all of Sir Arthur's nonGilbert stage music, from COX AND BOX and THE ZOO to THE ROSE OF PERSIA and THE EMERALD ISLE. As Baron Otto says, "Potz tausend himmel Sackerment noch einmal!!"
JONATHAN STRONG

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TELEVISED G&S. A response from last month's query concerning the series aired on PBS a while ago came from Don Smith: A generally reliable source is The Continental Shop, 1619 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403. Phone: (310) 4538655; FAX: (310) 4535093.

They usually seem to have all of the Brent Walker videos, as well as other miscellaneous G&S. Make sure that you specify NTSC (American) format, as what they usually have is PAL (although they can convert for a price).

Occasionally HMV Records seems to have G&S videos, but the availability is unreliable.
J. DONALD SMITH
;o :) :) :o :) ;o :) :o :) ;o :) :o :) ;o :) :o :) ;o :

Randi Kestin doesn't want Us to miss any of the silliness on the SavoyNet here's her latest netting:

Surely a Muppet RUDDIGORE would be even better Kermit as Robin, Miss Piggy as Rose (or even Dame Hannah), Fozzie as Richard, Gonzo as Sir Roderic, Animal as Mad Margaret, the Swedish Chef as Old Adam, Professor Bunsen as Sir Despard....
RONALD I. ORENSTEIN

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Neither does Dick Freedman, who sent Us this:

Contact Bev Sykes (basykes@wheel.ucdavis.edu, or 76703.4267@compuserve.com) and ask for a copy of her Christmas lyrics to the MIKADO madrigal. They're charming. I have a copy somewhere, but can only remember this much at the moment:

Brightly dawns this Christmas Day
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
'Tis the season to be jolly
Riding in a onehorse sleigh,
Riding in a onehorse sleigh.

MadBarbara @aol.com
(Barbara Heroux)

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Nor Don Smith, who sent Us THE TEMPTATION TRIO (from YEOMEN) (for Adam, Eve and the Serpent). We won't print it all just now it's copyrighted by Barbara Heroux and We haven't had time to ask her permission but here's a legal sample:

SERPENT: How say you, maiden, will you take
an apple from a lowly snake?
Forbidden fruit though it may be,
Just have a bite and you'll be free.
Of good and evil you will learn,
If truth the scriptures tell.
Come on and try it trust me, babe, you'll never burn in hell!

;o :) :) :o :) ;o :) :o :) ;o :) :o :) ;o :) :o :) ;o :)
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Don Smith's Buxton Diary, continued: Sunday, 30 July. The opening activity on Sunday afternoon was a costume parade through the park next to the pavilion and the center of town ending up in the Octagon. The parade was somewhat chaotic and relatively small. Most participants came as individuals except for the Houston G&S Society, which paraded en masse in their matching society uniforms with tengallon hats since their costumes had not arrived. Prizes of Festival Plates were awarded to: First the Duke and Duchess of PlazaToro; second Sir Despard and Mad Margaret; and third King Paramount.

The Opening Ceremonies welcome by the Festival Organizer Ian Smith, the Festival President John Reed and obligatory comments by some of the other officials and the Big Sing (the audience sang choruses in public) interspersed by solo numbers by the stars of THE D'Oyly Carte Company (not the New D'Oyly Carte) provided the proper relaxed mood which was to set the tone for the next two weeks. John Reed received a very warm welcome, particularly in view of a serious illness which had made his attendance somewhat doubtful. Indeed, he was still able to participate only in the opening day, the first Saturday and the final banquet (his Morning Coffee and Master Class had to be canceled).

The evening performance was entitled John Reed and His Friends, and provided the appropriate nostalgic opening to the Festival. David Steadman, Assistant Conductor and ChorusMaster of the New D'Oyly Carte, acted as MC and pianist for the evening. Julia Goss, Kenneth Sandford, Gillian Knight, Donald Adams, Thomas Round and John Reed sang solos, duets and trios and engaged in reminiscences and banter, making for a most delightful evening. The biggest surprise (at least to me) to emerge from their conversation was that none of them had ever been involved with G&S before joining the D'Oyly Carte and, with one exception, had never even been to a performance of G&S.

Every evening concluded with a Festival Club an organist to kill time and for dancing (although very few people indulged), a Gilbert and Sullivan quiz for teams of four with festival mugs as prizes (a SavoyNet team of Peter Zavon, Chris Wain, Sharon Johnson and I, under the name of the Titipu Town Band, won the first night, helped by the various discussions which have sometimes encumbered the Internet discussion group), a latenight supper (pieandpeas only one night see last year's festival for the deep inner meaning of this item), a bar which remained open until 1 a.m., and a cabaret, usually led by the company which had performed that evening. Each quiz team vied for cleverest name, with a prize to be awarded at the final banquet (None was, either because of the rush of the evening or the difficulty of deciding on the cleverest of a large number of very clever team titles). On occasions such as this when there was really no performance, the audience entertained itself by performing choruses in public. The host for the day, the DOC star who gave the morning Coffee and Conversation and afternoon Master Class, usually obliged with at least one number.

[If you'd like an uncut version of Don's Diary (nothing risqué, just more words), email him at DSMITH@UMASSD.EDU. mlc]
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REVIEWS:
Gilbert and Sullivan a la Carte in Maine: After having seen the Hancock County (Maine) G&S Society perform complete operas at the Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton over the past two years, I have gotten the impression that this is a great ensemble company, very much more than the sum of its individual performers. The impression was very much confirmed by the performance of their 'small' company 'Gilbert and Sullivan a la Carte' 11 performers, a narrator and pianist at Memorial Hall in Monson, MA on October 7.

Led by the strong 'heldentenor' of Lee Paterson, the great comic soprano of MaryEllen Martell and the 'heavy' singing and acting of Virginia Cunningham, the group romped through a program of excerpts of all of the G&S canon from THESPIS through THE GRAND DUKE. The 'first act' consisted of an excerpts from each of the operas in chronological order, linked by a semihistorical narration to place each opera in context. While obviously chosen based on the particular performers available for the occasion, the individual numbers fit together in a nice blend of solos, duets and smaller ensembles. With performers in formal wear, the imaginative use of hats, scarves and other props took the audience from Mount Olympus ("Little Maid of Arcady") to PfennigHalbpfennig with stops in Fairyland, Cornwall, Titipu, Venice and the Tower of London without difficulty. The excellent use of pantomime to illustrate a song was very tastefully carried out without the exaggeration which could have ruined the effect. Particularly notable was the Dr. Daly of Roland Dubé, whose recitative and aria "The air is charged with amatory numbers . . ." and "Time was when love and I were well acquainted" were presented in a daydreamlike state while a chorus of Rapturous Maidens from his past gracefully flitted around him. Debra Hangge as Phoebe did an imaginative job of 'seducing' Wilfred Shadbolt, in this case a preselected member of the audience, in "Were I thy bride." The first half finished with the gala ballroom scene from DUKE, with the various cast members chasing their counterparts of opposite sex (identifiable by their props) across the stage and into the wings in a wellchoreographed and hysterical number.

The second half presented, in a more leisurely fashion, excerpts which were obviously chosen by the cast members as their favorites. Particularly noteworthy were Lee Patterson's "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes," Virginia Cunningham's "O Foolish Fay" and "Alone and Yet Alive," and Roland Dubé's "Nightmare Song," accompanied by a teddy bear in Lord Chancellor's outfit. Several larger ensembles an IOLANTHE medley, "Hail Poetry" and the Act II finale of PINAFORE (plus additional smaller groupings) made for a very full and enjoyable evening. While some of the acting and singing were of somewhat broader scope than a hardcore Savoyard might approve, for an audience with probably only a passing acquaintance with the works of G&S, everything worked. This is a group which enjoys itself and draws the audience into its enjoyment. J. DONALD SMITH
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Here's a HowdyDo! The King's Singers. I happened to catch a brief portion of this CD on our local classical music station. This is not really "a review" since I did not hear the entire album, but I thought a few words might be of interest.

The two songs I heard were "The Sun, Whose Rays" and "A More Humane Mikado." The King's Singers are all male and it was interesting to hear the first number sung by men. Everyone in the group seemed to sing a line in the second song. There were lots of additional "oo"s and "Oh"s and "daa"s plus some deliberate disharmonies. When one person sang, the rest of the group joined in the manner of a Greek chorus. When the line "At classical Monday Pops..." was sung by the soloist the chorus went "poppoppopping" off all over the place!

The radio commentator (Russell Gant) a G/S fan thought the whole matter was just great, and had trouble introducing his next musical selection.

As for me, well, it was "interesting." Need I say more?
JOHN AMBLER
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Hey, guys! Doesn't anyone out there have a review of MITG&SP's SORCERER for Us? How about Harvard's YEOMEN We know it isn't over yet, but this would have been the perfect weekend to publish a review! Or SLOC's New Moon yes, We know it isn't, but even so... We hope to hear from reviewers soon! mlc

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CALENDAR:

The MIT G&S Players are currently holding interviews for Producer, Stage Director, and Music Director for their spring show, UTOPIA LIMITED, which will be performed in MIT's La Sala de Puerto Rico in midApril. For more information, call (617) 2530190, or email: savoyardsrequest@mit.edu OR check out their WorldWide Web site at http://www.mit.edu:8001/activities/gsp/home.html

Catch the last performances of The HarvardRadcliffe G&S Players' YEOMEN, running 12/7, 8, & 9 at 8 PM, and 12/9 at 2 PM. Eileen St. David directs; Todd Neal conducts; and Radcliffe's Agassiz Theatre hosts the show call the box office at (617) 4962222 for tix & info.

HRG&SP are also seeking Stage and Music Directors for their spring show, IDA, to be performed in April at the Agassiz Theatre in Radcliffe Yard in Cambridge. Reach them at (617) 4964747 if you're interested.
If you're planning to be in Michigan 12/710, call 7627855 for tix & info. about the planned UMGASS (The U. Michigan G&S Soc) GRAND DUKE .

OSLO (Ocean State Light Opera) will present COX & BOX together with Ballroom Scenes from the Great Operas, 12/2830 at 8 PM, with 2 PM matinees on 12/ 28 & 30. Call (401) 3316060 for tix & info.

Boston University's Huntington Theater Co. finally called Us with news about their production of IOLANTHE: It will open officially on Wednesday, 1/10 at 7 PM. Thereafter, evening perfs will be at 8 PM TuesSat eves (except for 1/30) until 2/4. 2 PM matinees will be held 1/13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 27, 28, 31 & 2/3 & 4. If that's not enough for you, catch their preview performances on 1/5, 6, 7, & 9, at a slightly lower ticket price. (The basic prices will range from $12 $45.) Huntington uses Equity actors and directors (which is why they didn't give Us an audition notice but they do use nonEquity understudies, so maybe We'll hear more in future years). Their Choreographer for this production will be Danny Pelzig, of the Boston Ballet, who worked on their PINAFORE not long ago. Larry Carpenter, who also directed PINAFORE, will direct. Call the Huntington Box Office at (617) 2660800 for more information.

The Saint Paul's School in Concord, NH, will be mounting a fullystaged production of Jonathan Strong's reworking of Gilbert's THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK (see above article for details) on February 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 1996, at The Memorial Hall on the school campus (on Dunbarton Road) Free admission; plenty of seats; curtain: 8 PM (We hope Jonathan will give Us a number to call for directions as the time approaches!)

The Sudbury Savoyards are starting rehearsals for IDA, to be performed March 21, 22 & 23 at the LincolnSudbury Regional High School (Yes live from Lincoln offCenter!), with proceeds donated towards the relief of world hunger. Debra Lustiber is the Producer; Ron and Janice Dallas are handling sets, lights and costumes between them; Jim Ravan is the Music Director, and Marion Leeds Carroll is Stage Director. Familiar names in the huge cast include, in part: Laura Gouillart, Bill Kuhlman, Kathy Lague, David Larrick, Larry Seiler, Ellen Spear... (There are many fine unfamiliar performers as well!) As always, membership in the chorus remains open, without audition, until the end of December call (508) 4438811 for more info.

The Savoy Company plans PATIENCE for May 17 and 18, 1996 at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA, and on May 31 and June 1, at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA, with one additional performance possible in late July. Auditions at the Cynwyd Club, Bala Cynwyd: LEADS (5 males and 5 females): Saturday, January 27, 1996; CHORUS: Sunday, January 28. APPOINTMENT REQUIRED. Call Guillermo Bosch, Producer, at 6104890569, for assigned time and for music and dialogue.
The dates for the International G&S Festival 1996 are: Philadelphia: Saturday July 20th to Sunday July 28th. Buxton: Sunday August 4th to Sunday 18th inclusive. Is it time to plan a NEGASS trip to Philly? Rex Travel of Chicago put together a successful package for the San Francisco Lamplighters this past summer, including travel to and through the UK, day trips and guided tours, etc. A trip to Buxton is surely beyond many NEGASS budgets but, even if without putting together a package through a travel agent, We think a few NEGASSers might want to plan a trip to Pennsylvania together. mlc

Dame Rumour Whispers that Curtain Call Theater in Braintree is planning MIKADO for 3/96. We called (617) 3565113 for further info, & got a tape but no human reply does anyone know more?

NEGASS is affiliated with The Gilbert & Sullivan Society, based in London. If NEGASS members plan to visit England and would like to attend a G&SS meeting, they can contact Sue Cross, 8 Seafield Road, Arnos Grove, London N11 2AS for details concerning upcoming meetings, which are planned this season for 12/13, 1/16, 2/29, 3/24, 4/17, 5,30, and 6/19.




THE NEW ENGLAND GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SOCIETY
PO Box 367, Arlington, MA 021740004

President RICHARD FREEDMAN
(617) 6309525 email: rnf@gis.net
Vice President PATRICIA BREWER: (617) 3233480
Secretary CAROL MAHONEY: (617) 6481720 Membership Officer BILL MAHONEY: (617) 6481720
Treasurer CARL WEGGEL: (508) 4740396 Program Chair SHELDON HOCHMAN: (508) 8427617 Editor MARION LEEDS CARROLL: (617) 6469115
email: mlcar@ibm.net

NEGASS membership dues are $15 and up. Please send membership inquiries to Bill Mahoney at NEGASS, PO. Box 367, Arlington, MA 021740004



Marion

Page created 28 Nov 1996