Gilbert & Sullivan

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Gilbert & Sullivan Carries on Tradition of Community

Ask any alumnus of Allen-Stevenson to name a tradition they remember fondly from their time at the School, and they are sure to answer: Gilbert & Sullivan (G&S). At Allen-Stevenson, our boys have been acting out G&S comic operettas on our stage for decades.

These performances highlight the spirit of Allen-Stevenson. They bring our community together and provide opportunities for students to take on a character, letting their personalities shine through. Many boys act and sing in G&S for many years, starting in the Fifth Grade, and form lasting connections with boys across grades.

“I like feeling a part of that history. Allen-Stevenson only rotates through four different G&S operettas, so you know that so many other students have done this show before you. Last year, I

played a lead, Private Willis, in Iolanthe,

and made a lot of eighth-grade friends. I was a little sad when they graduated, but I still keep in touch with them.”

—Jamie Resurreccion, 8th Grade

“It’s about being whoever you want to be. It’s a chance to be someone besides yourself… When I am a character in a G&S production, I get to discover a new person. I watch some other sources to get a sense of how others have played the character. I then try to incorporate different nuances...like an accent.”

—Reed Ferguson, 8th Grade

Being a part of these productions encourages boys in main roles to take on responsibility and ownership over their position as a lead.

“As a lead, I get more time singing and acting, but I also I have to be a leader in the rehearsals not only in the performance,” said Reed Ferguson.

This year’s performance of Gilbert & Sullivan was Pirates of Penzance, performed under unusual circumstances. Given increasingly strong guidance from New York City public officials that organizations should avoid holding large gatherings in light of the COVID-19 situation, Allen-Stevenson decided that the boys would perform to a live stream audience only, in lieu of a live audience. Our cast and crew did not let this put an end to the performance that they worked so hard to prepare! The boys took to the stage with unparalleled enthusiasm. In a

fantastic show of support, our community joined together remotely, and faculty and staff who were in the building came down to the theatre to support their students. At one point, around 270 people were watching the live stream to cheer on our boys and to make the best of a unique situation.

To watch the performance of Pirates of Penzance, simply open the camera on your phone, hold it over the image below and wait for a window to pop up and click.