ORCHESTRA
Violin 1 – Valerie Levy (concert chair), Ellen Gronningen, David Steinberg, Jill Jaffe
Violin 2 – Barney Stevens, Alyson Whalen Viola – Carol Benner Cello – Daryl Goldberg
Bass – Deb Spohnheimer Flute - Margaret Swinchoski Oboe – Nancy Ranger
Clarinet – Larry Tietze, Joan Porter Bassoon – Susan Shaw Horn – Janet Lantz
Trumpet – Terry Szor Trombone – Steve Shulman Percussion – Ingrid Gordon
COMPANY & PRODUCTION STAFF
Artistic Director/General Manager Albert Bergeret Executive Director ....................................................................................................................David Wannen
Director of Administration/Associate Musical Director .......................................................Joseph Rubin
Associate Artistic Director James Mills
Company Manager/Wardrobe ............................................................................................. Michael Galante
Development Manager ................................................................................................ Sarah Caldwell Smith
Co-Director/Choreographer ........................................................................................ David Auxier-Loyola
Company Photographer .......................................................................................................... Danny Bristoll
Orchestra Contractor Larry Tietze
The photographing or sound recording of this performance or possession of any device for such photographing or sound recording is prohibited.
STORY OF THE OPERA
High spirits seem to be the order of the day aboard Her Majesty’s Ship Pinafore, anticipating the visit of Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Admiralty. The crew is busy preparing the ship, stopping only to make purchases from Little Buttercup, a peddler, and to exchange compliments with their well-mannered Captain.
The only sad note is struck by Ralph Rackstraw, one of the sailors, who is hopelessly in love with Josephine, the Captain’s daughter. Not only is her social position far above his, but her hand has been promised by her father to Sir Joseph.
When Sir Joseph arrives with his female entourage, professing some decidedly eccentric ideas about naval discipline, Ralph is inspired to press his suit with the lady. At first she refuses him, but when he threatens suicide, she admits her love for him and agrees to elope.
That night, Captain Corcoran learns that he, too, has a secret admirer - Little Buttercup - but he puts her off because of the difference in their positions.
Sir Joseph, meanwhile, has come to the conclusion that a similar difference is keeping Josephine from accepting his proposal. He tells her that “love levels all ranks,” which she takes, however, as an endorsement of her love for Ralph.
Her father, upon learning of her true plans, halts the elopement. His furious outburst of “Damme!” is overheard by Sir Joseph, who banishes him to his cabin. Sir Joseph is even more outraged, though, when he hears the reason for the Captain’s anger. He orders Ralph imprisoned, and is about to turn on Josephine when Little Buttercup makes an extraordinary confession: Ralph and the Captain, entrusted to her care as babies, were somehow exchanged!
The improbability of the revelation proves no obstacle to its immediate acceptance by all concerned, and the sailor and the Captain assume each other’s places. Their new stations enable them to marry Josephine and Little Buttercup, and Sir Joseph is claimed by his cousin Hebe.
MUSICAL NUMBERS
OVERTURE
ACT I
“WE SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE” (Introduction and Opening Chorus) ......................................... Sailors
“I'M CALLED LITTLE BUTTERCUP” (Recitative and Aria) .................................................... Buttercup
“BUT TELL ME WHO'S THE YOUTH” (Recitative) ....................................... Buttercup and Boatswain
“THE NIGHTINGALE” (Madrigal) ............................................................... Ralph and Chorus of Sailors
“A MAIDEN FAIR TO SEE” (Ballad) ............................................................. Ralph and Chorus of Sailors
“MY GALLANT CREW” (Recitative and Song) ...................... Captain Corcoran and Chorus of Sailors
“SIR, YOU ARE SAD” (Recitative) .........................................................Buttercup and Captain Corcoran
“SORRY HER LOT” (Ballad) ........................................................................................................... Josephine
"OVER THE BRIGHT BLUE SEA” (Barcarolle - off stage) ........................ Sir Joseph's Female Relatives
“SIR JOSEPH'S BARGE IS SEEN” ......................... Chorus of Sailors and Sir Joseph's Female Relatives
“NOW GIVE THREE CHEERS” .................. Captain Corcoran, Sir Joseph, Cousin Hebe, and Chorus
“WHEN I WAS A LAD” (Song) ................................................................................ Sir Joseph and Chorus
“FOR I HOLD THAT ON THE SEAS” ............ Sir Joseph, Cousin Hebe, Female Relatives, and Sailors
“A BRITISH TAR” (Glee) ............................Ralph, Boatswain, Carpenter's Mate, and Chorus of Sailors
“REFRAIN, AUDACIOUS TAR” (Duet)..................................................................... Josephine and Ralph
“CAN I SURVIVE THIS OVERBEARING” (Finale of Act I) ..................................................... Ensemble
ACT II
Entr'acte
“FAIR MOON, TO THEE I SING” (Song) ..................................................................... Captain Corcoran
“THINGS ARE SELDOM WHAT THEY SEEM” (Duet)....................Buttercup and Captain Corcoran
“THE HOURS CREEP ON APACE” (Scena) ................................................................................ Josephine
“NEVER MIND THE WHY AND WHEREFORE” (Trio) .............. Josephine, Captain, and Sir Joseph
“KIND CAPTAIN, I'VE IMPORTANT INFORMATION” (Duet).............. Captain and Dick Deadeye
“CAREFULLY ON TIPTOE STEALING” .......................................................................... Soli and Chorus
“FAREWELL, MY OWN!” ................................................................................................. Octet and Chorus
“A MANY YEARS AGO” (Song) ............................................................................... Buttercup and Chorus
“OH JOY, OH RAPTURE UNFORESEEN!” (Finale of Act II) ................................................... Ensemble
DAVID AUXIER (Captain Corcoran) Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement recipient 2015-16. Favorite NYGASP roles: Captain Corcoran (Pinafore), Sergeant (Pirates), Pish-Tush (Mikado). Mr. Auxier has been co-director and company choreographer since 2010 and has worked in or on all 13 G&S operas. He conceived and directed the allnew critically acclaimed, reimagined production of The Mikado and the award-winning hit G&S cabaret revue I’ve Got a Little Twist, and wrote the book for NYGASP’s original G&S à la Carte! David is also a MAC Award-nominated songwriter and is currently penning an all-original musical. www.davidauxier.com
SAM BALZAC (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to NYGASP, after appearing in Ruddigore, Trial by Jury/Sorcerer and Patience! Off-Broadway: Fifty Million Frenchman (York). Recent regional: Lend Me a Soprano (Shadowland Stages). In addition to acting, G&S have been highly influential in Sam’s work as a composer/lyricist for musical theater. Written work includes The Wrong Box (NYSCA Support for Artists Grant), Existential Questions of the 21st Century (O’Neill NMTC semi-finalist), and a musical adaptation of Felicia Day’s The Guild (details on a live-streamed performance forthcoming at www.sambalzac.com).
CAITLIN BOREK (Ensemble) Caitlin is thrilled to join NYGASP in H.M.S. Pinafore. She’s been a part of Ruddigore, The Sorcerer/Trial By Jury, Patience, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Gondoliers, and The Mikado since March of 2020. Caitlin was recently Cinderella at The Fireside Theatre and won Best Actress for her portrayal of Cosette in Les Mis from BroadwayWorld Madison Awards. You can catch her in the movie musical The Confession as Alyson, starring alongside John Schneider of Dukes of Hazzard. She’d like to thank Da Boreks for their constant love and support. www.caitlinborek.com IG: @sea2bee2
LOUIS BROGNA (Ensemble) is thrilled to join the company. Past credits: Anastasia (National Tour), Frozen (Ogunquit Playhouse), The Donkey Show (American Repertory Theater), The Full Monty (Umbrella Stage Co), White Christmas (Arizona Broadway Theatre), The Music Man, Mame, Most Happy Fella, ...Millie, 42nd Street, Joseph..., Show Boat, (Reagle Music Theatre), Chicago (Winnipesauke Playhouse), Rocky Horror, Annie (Wagon Wheel). Louis is dedicated to spreading
life, love, and joy through his skills as an artist, performer, and human. He thanks his friends, family, and team for their continued support. Boston Conservatory Alumni. DDO Artists Agency. @louisbrogna www.louisbrogna.com
MICHAEL J. CONNOLLY (Sergeant of Marines) Michael has performed the entire G&S canon with NYGASP. Other credits include The Cherry Orchard and A Christmas Carol (both at the McCarter Theatre), Alan Ayckbourn's Joking Apart (Rev. Hugh Emerson), a world premiere with Centenary Stage Company in New Jersey, a new adaptation of Chekhov's Platonov (Sergei) at Columbia University, Twelfth Night (Malvolio), She Loves Me (Arpad), Bye Bye Birdie (Hugo) and Sweeney Todd. Michael trained at LAMDA in London (M.A.), studied engineering at Princeton and has also been caught behind the scenes playing the trombone.
VICTORIA DEVANY (Cousin Hebe) NYGASP: Mad Margaret (Ruddigore), Cousin Hebe (Pinafore), Pitti-Sing/Peep-Bo (Mikado), Mrs. Partlet (Sorcerer), Edith (Pirates), Inez (Gondoliers); many concerts, children's shows and tours with NYGASP. Other venues: Carnegie Hall, Wolf Trap, Resorts International, Westbury Music Fair, Garden State Arts Center/PNC. Vicky is married to violinist David Aron Steinberg. Cabaret acts: NYC, NYS, Japan; Berta (Barber of Seville) and Annina (La Traviata); & non-singing roles. Playwright/ Dramaturg/Instructor: vickyd–us@yahoo.com Proud AEA/DGA Member. Isaac Asimov Awardee, & currently performs myriad Shakespearean roles for the NYPL, most recently, Lady Macbeth.
HANNAH EAKIN (Ensemble) joined NYGASP in 2021 and has performed in Pirates of Penzance, Gondoliers, Patience, H.M.S. Pinafore, Sorcerer, and Trial by Jury. Credits include: Outside of Eden (New Ohio), Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, Bridges of Madison County (Arkansas Rep); Mary Poppins, Singin’ in the Rain (Barn Theatre); Sister Act (Westchester Broadway Theatre). Also a filmmaker and writer, her work has been recognized by New York State Council on the Arts, Inwood Artworks, PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, and ScreenCraft Drama Screenplay Competition, among others. Proud graduate of Oklahoma City University.
KATIE HALL (Ensemble) A NYGASP alto since the turn of the century, roles include Kate (Pirates),
Chloe (Princess Ida), Ruth (Ruddigore) and other show-stealing turns as Contadina, Yeowoman, Titiputian, South Pacific Island Viviparian, General’s Daughter, Admiral’s Aunt, Sultan’s Sister-Wife and an assortment of Bridesmaids (Amateur and Pro). Katie was honored to be the 2016-17 recipient of NYGASP’s Isaac Asimov Award.
HANNAH HOLMES (Ensemble) With NYGASP: The Mikado (Katisha), Patience (Lady Jane), Pirates (Edith/Ruth), H.M.S. Pinafore (Hebe), The Sorcerer (Lady Sangazure), chorus in Ruddigore, Iolanthe, Gondoliers, and Trial by Jury. She has performed with the Ohio Light Opera, Victor Herbert Renaissance Project, Spoleto Festival USA, New York Virtuoso Singers, and makes regular appearances with the Clarion Choir, Bard Opera Chorus, and Bard Festival Chorale. An Iowa native, Hannah is a proud graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (BM) and the Eastman School of Music (MM). More at hannahmezzo.com.
ALEXANDRA IMBROSCI-VIERA (Ensemble) New York: Ruddigore, Trial by Jury, The Sorcerer, The Mikado, Patience, The Pirates of Penzance (NYGASP), Quillén (NY Theatre Festival), All Kinds of People (Inside Broadway), Sueños (NYTB New Works). Select regional: Josh Groban’s Bridges tour, Patchogue Theatre, WPPAC, RedHouse Arts Center, Music Theatre of Connecticut, Finger Lakes Opera. Favorites include: Maria (West Side Story), Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), Hope Harcourt (Anything Goes), Meg (Little Women), Kate (Pirates). Love to Mom, Dad, and Eric. Thanks to Becky and the Kreativ team! @alex–imbrosci–viera
DAVID MACALUSO (Ensemble) most recently performed as Major General in Central City Opera’s Pirates of Penzance. Last season with NYGASP he sang Grosvenor in NYGASP’s Patience, and Ko-Ko in The Mikado. He was Mr. Cox and Creative Producer in NYGASP’s film, Cox & Box. Credits include Sir Joseph and Buttercup (simultaneously) in the NY Drama Desk Award nominated Pinafore (Vortex Theater), and Robin/co-producer of The House of Murgatroyd. Other roles: Sir Joe (Pinafore), Duke of Plaza Toro, Luiz (Gondoliers), Strephon (Iolanthe), Che (Evita), Molina (Kiss of the Spiderwoman), Falke (Fledermaus). Graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and Asimov Award Recipient. Visit: www.DavidSings.info
JOHN CHARLES McLAUGHLIN (Ensemble) is a proud NYGASPer since 2013, most recently as the Tenor in I've Got a Little Twist, on tour as
Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, Luiz in Gondoliers, and ensemble in Pirates, Patience, Ruddigore, Princess Ida, and Yeomen of the Guard. Also with the cell theater in NYC: Crackskull Row (Irish Repertory Theatre), Larry Kirwan’s Hard Times, Peter/ Wendy, McGoldrick’s Thread, and The Biscuit Club. Hammond, IN native and member of AEA www.jcmclaughlin.com ig: @portionctrl
JAMES MILLS (Sir Joseph Porter KCB) was the 2019/2020 recipient of the Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement. Entire G&S canon onstage with NYGASP. Recently: John Wellington Wells (Sorcerer), Reginald Bunthorne (Patience), Sir Joseph Porter KCB (HMS Pinafore), Jack Point (Yeomen), & Major-General Stanley (Pirates). Upcoming: Lord Chancellor (Iolanthe). James is an alum of College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, MA, where he returns to direct G&S productions each summer. He is co-star and co-creator of the all-new drag musical, The Hell's Kitchenettes. Proud member of AEA.
LANCE OLDS (Ensemble) NYGASP since 1997. Roles include Deadeye (Pinafore), Antonio (Gondoliers), Calynx (Utopia, Limited), and Strephon (Iolanthe with Light Opera Company of Salisbury). First National Tour: Footloose. Off-Broadway: Mark Twain’s Blues, Naked Boys Singing!. Regional: Kennedy Center, Seattle Rep, Weston Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, and St. Michael’s Playhouse. Film/TV: MTV’s Eye Candy, Far From Heaven, principal dancer in Disney’s Enchanted, Stepford Wives, Mona Lisa Smile, and Kate & Leopold. Asimov Award recipient. Love to Lauren, Anwyn, and Declan.
QUINTO OTT (Bob Becket) Originally from Tucson, Arizona, a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, and a NYGASP company member since 2009. Quinto played the role for Don Attilio on the North American Tour of The Phantom of the Opera and originated the roles of Tobias Bridge and Billy Bones in the world premiere new musical Treasure Island at the Fulton Theatre. He played Claude Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Bill Sikes (Oliver!), and Cogsworth (Disney’s Beauty & the Beast) at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. He is excited to be performing with NYGASP again after spending the last several years as a wardrobe supervisor and head of sewing on the North American Tour of The Lion King.
MICHELLE SEIPEL (Josephine) NYGASP company member since 2012, performing the roles of Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore, Aline in The Sor-
rehearsals to opening night and beyond. He holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts, Motion Pictures, and Music Business & Entertainment Industries from University of Miami.
BENJAMIN WEILL (Lighting Designer) has been the resident lighting designer for NYGASP for the past 12 seasons. He is proud to be part of the NYGASP family. He is the recipient of the BroadwayWorld.com New Jersey award for Best Lighting Design of a Musical. Outside of G&S, Benjamin is a freelance lighting designer, designing events, concerts, plays and musicals. www.benjaminweilldesign.com
GAIL J. WOFFORD (Costume Designer/CoFounder of NYGASP) holds a Masters of Arts in Theatre Arts from Texas Tech University. As resident costume designer, she designed and constructed costumes for The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Yeomen of the Guard, Iolanthe, Trial by Jury and other operettas. Gail was Costume Coordinator for N.J. State Opera for 12 years and head of wardrobe for the NY Grand Opera. She has executed projects for WNET, Channel 13, National Tour of Dreamgirls, the film Mission Apollo and worked with numerous opera companies throughout the US.
An Introduction to H.M.S. Pinafore by New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players Artistic Director Albert Bergeret
When the barbs of the satirist’s pen are meant to draw blood, they frequently become dated in short order. One reason for the continued popularity of H.M.S. Pinafore, and the rest of the Gilbert & Sullivan canon, is the lack of malice in its otherwise biting satire.
Gilbert was quite clearly a product and an upholder of the society which he lampoons. H.M.S. Pinafore is a rather trenchant commentary on the injustice of class distinction, overblown nationalism, and petty personal ambition, yet the frothy mix of buffoonery in which this commentary is mixed leaves the listener with both the message and a joy derived from an ability to laugh at one’s own foibles. Of course, Sullivan’s highly memorable settings of each character and group’s signature entrance adds to this sense of delight. In cases such as H.M.S. Pinafore, the satire itself has outlived the object of its parodic thrust. Many of the musical elements which Sullivan drew upon are from obscure bel canto operas. Others, such as the similarity of Buttercup’s revelation to Verdi’s Il Trovatore, remain more familiar. Likewise, Gilbert’s parody of the melodrama staple “switched in infancy” ploy is viewed as a cliché on its own, rather than the ridiculous twist it was intended to be. Don’t try to make the age differences add up logically - the ending is part of the joke. Despite the theme of social injustice, no revolution occurs here - the status of the characters is changed to fit the order rather than the other way around. Note that the villain, Dick Deadeye, is the only one to speak reasonably about the behavior of sailors involved in military activities (“when people have to obey other people’s orders, equality’s out of the question”). It is also interesting to note that Deadeye joins in the final refrain of “Oh joy, oh rapture
unforeseen”, because, after all, he was right all along and the proper relationships within class structures have been maintained!
H.M.S. Pinafore is a model of theatrical brevity, and much of its charm derives therefrom. Each group or individual is introduced with a catchy tune and/ or sequence. Then a single element of dramatic tension (the marriage of Josephine without her father’s consent) is introduced and quickly resolved by role reversal. When New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players undertook a “Reader’s Digest Version” of the show as a joke, the essence of the plot was easily acted out in less than one minute!
The audience does not need to know that Sir Joseph was a specific parody of a book seller made First Lord of the Admiralty, nor the history of the British navy, nor the exact customs of Victorian society - the types of human nature are depicted simply and straightforwardly. It is no wonder that H.M.S. Pinafore was an immediate hit on both sides of the Atlantic and established its creators’ reputation throughout the English-speaking world! Gilbert & Sullivan never obtained international copyrights, but it is documented that as many as five different unauthorized versions of the show were running in New York City alone at one point in time.
H.M.S. Pinafore launched not only Gilbert & Sullivan but also the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, which performed the G&S canon for over 100 years. As the first great G&S success story, one can point to this work, with its union of popular musical hall and more elite operatic elements, as the true father of musical theatre as we know it. Its descendants have been going back and forth across the Atlantic ever since.
Ella Semeraro
Grade 8; Pequannock Valley Middle School; Nominated by Michael Kertesz Ella is an 8th grade trombonist at Pequannock Valley Middle School, and she exemplifies the highest standards of musicianship, leadership, and character. Ella plays trombone in our 8th Grade Band and serves as the lead trombone in the Jazz Band, where her strong tone, musical sensitivity, and stylistic awareness help drive the ensemble. She also made a splash this year in the school musical, taking on the leading role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid—a performance that showcased not only her musical talents, but her confidence, charisma, and commitment to the arts. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Ella is a standout leader in our school community. She serves as both a Peer Leader and the President of our Tri-M National Junior Music Honor Society chapter. Through these roles, she consistently demonstrates maturity, kindness, and a passion for helping others. Whether she’s guiding younger students, organizing events, or uplifting those around her, Ella is someone who leads by example. What truly makes Ella special is her infectious positivity—she always has a smile on her face and a kind word for those who need it. Her dedication to her craft, her peers, and her school community makes her not only an outstanding band student, but an extraordinary human being.
Emily Thormann
Grade 8; Brooklawn Middle School; Nominated by Joseph Stella
Emily is a talented lead trumpet player in our 8th grade band. She is always very conscientious of learning her parts for band and has improved a great deal in her time at the middle school. She also has a very big trumpet solo in one of our pieces this year. Outside of the schoolʼs concert band, Emily has successfully auditioned for our jazz band and pit orchestra as a lead trumpet in both ensembles. Aside from her musical accomplishments, she is also always very polite and responsible. Emilyʼs musicianship and demeanor make her an excellent choice for this monthʼs MSOM.
Katherine Trabachino
Grade 10; Morristown High School; Nominated by David Gallagher
Kate is an all around amazing band student who has stepped up in every way possible this year to be outstanding in all of their ensembles. Kate is primarily a trumpet player, participating in our marching band, jazz band, and wind ensemble. However, we had a need for additional French Horn players this year in our festival literature and pit orchestra and Kate learned the new instrument in a little over a month. She is now an equally talented French Horn player as she is trumpet player. Her dedication, hard work, and positive attitude are infectious to those around her and she is an outstanding member of every ensemble she participates in.
Jack VanSeggern
Grade 10; Whippany Park High School; Nominated by Carl Sabatino
Jack is a very talented musician with a high level of drive and determination. As a freshman he ran the tables in his auditions and made it all the way to the All State Band. His musicianship and very strong work ethic are paramount in his early success. Most students would be satisfied with that level of achievement early on but Jack has looked to further challenge himself and he auditioned for the Juilliard Pre-College program as a sophomore. He was successful in that audition and as a result has been attending sessions every Saturday in NYC. We look forward to all that Jack will accomplish throughout his HS career and being selected for this honor would certainly be appropriate.