As a courtesy to the artists and for the uninterrupted enjoyment of your fellow patrons, please turn off all electronic devices. No portion of this performance may be photographed, recorded, filmed, taped, broadcast or mechanically reproduced without the written consent of the Artist and/or the Presenter. Mayo Performing Arts Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Program subject to change.
or, The Town of Titipu
Words by William S. Gilbert
Music by Arthur Sullivan
First Performed at the Savoy Theatre, London, England, March 14, 1885
Director, Choreographer & Prologue Author: David Auxier-Loyola
Musical Director & Conductor: Joseph Rubin
Producer: David Wannen
Costume Design: Quinto Ott
Makeup: James Mills Scenic Design: Anshuman Bhatia
Lighting Design: Benjamin Weill
Production Stage Manager: Bryan Patrick Stoyle
Assistant Stage Manager: Bryden DiGennaro
Richard Temple/The Mikado of Japan
David Wannen* Nanki-Poo (His son, disguised as a wandering minstrel) John Charles McLaughlin* Arthur Sullivan/Ko-Ko (Lord High Executioner of Titipu) David Macaluso*
Richard D'Oyly Carte/Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everything Else) Matthew Wages*
W.S. Gilbert/Pish-Tush (A Noble Lord) David Auxier*
Leonora Braham/Yum-Yum
Sarah Caldwell Smith*
Jessie Bond/ Pitti-Sing (Three sisters, Wards of Ko-Ko) ..................... Amy Maude Helfer*
Sybil Grey/Peep-Bo
Sarah Hutchinson*
Rosina Brandram/Katisha (An elderly lady, in love with Nanki-Poo) Angela Christine Smith*
Caitlin Borek*, Michael J. Connolly*, Camilo Estrada, Michael Galante, Katie Hall, Maurio Hines, Natalia Hulse, Alexandra Imbrosci-Viera*, Sabrina Lopez, Patrick Lord-Remmert, James Mills*, Jack F. Murphy, Logan Pitts, Laura Sudduth*
Dance Captain: Logan Pitts
*These Actors and Stage Managers are members of the Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Prologue - Offices of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, 1884 Acts I & II - The Imagined Town of Titipu
There will be one fifteen minute intermission. Latecomers will be seated at an appropriate interval in the performance.
Violin I: Andrea Andros (Concertmaster), Valerie Levy, Nicahols Szucs, Peter Borten
Violin II: Barney Stevens, Alyson Whalen Viola: Gregory Williams Cello: Daryl Goldberg Bass: Deb Spohnheimer Flute: Margaret Swinchoski Oboe: Katie Scheele
Clarinet: Larry Tietze, Joan Porter Bassoon: Susan Shaw Horn: Janet Lantz
Cornet: Terry Szor Trombone: Paul Geidel Percussion: Ingrid Gordon
Artistic Director James Mills
Executive Director & President David Wannen
Musical Director & Managing Director ................................................................................. Joseph Rubin
Company Manager Michael Galante
Development Manager
Sarah Caldwell Smith
Company Choreographer/Co-Director .................................................................... David Auxier-Loyola
Education Manager Hannah Holmes
Wardrobe Coordinator Michael Galante
Wardrobe ......................................................................................................................................... Annette Dieli
Associate Technical Director Noah G. Strone
Production Manager Benjamin Weill
Company Photographers ......................................................................................................... Danny Bristoll
Social Media
Janine Lee Papio
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.
Nanki-Poo, a wandering minstrel, has come to the town of Titipu in search of Yum-Yum, a girl with whom he has fallen in love. Ko-Ko, her guardian, had been condemned to death under the Mikado’s capricious law against flirting, but has since been appointed Lord High Executioner, on the assumption that he will be unwilling to enforce a law of which he himself must be the first victim. While Ko-Ko plans to marry Yum-Yum himself, Nanki-Poo woos the beautiful girl. Yum-Yum returns his affection, but she is unwilling to defy her guardian.
Meanwhile, Ko-Ko learns that his post is to be abolished by the Mikado for nonperformance of duty. His search for a victim is interrupted by the appearance of the despondent Nanki-Poo, bent on suicide. The two men strike a deal that Nanki-Poo may marry Yum-Yum, if he will agree to become Ko-Ko’s first victim at the end of a month.
The general rejoicing that follows this announcement is halted by the arrival of Katisha, an elderly lady of the Mikado’s court. Thwarted in her efforts to claim Nanki-Poo as her lover, she attempts to reveal his true identity, but the entire town shouts her down as the act ends.
Act II finds Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo preparing for their wedding, but Ko-Ko produces a surprise—”by the Mikado’s law, when a married man is beheaded, his wife is buried alive!” Yum-Yum is having second thoughts when the approach of the Mikado himself is announced.
Ko-Ko panics and decides that a dead body will not be needed if the proper papers are produced. He sends Nanki-Poo away to marry Yum-Yum and prepares a “certificate” of Nanki-Poo’s execution.
The Mikado arrives in town, accompanied by Katisha, and is delighted to receive the news that there has been an execution until he sees the name of the victim. Ko-Ko now learns for the first time that Nanki-Poo is the son of the Mikado. Along with Pooh-Bah and Pitti-Sing, who have acted as witnesses to the fake execution, Ko-Ko is sentenced to be boiled in oil for “compassing the death of the Heir Apparent.”
When Ko-Ko goes to Nanki-Poo for help, the minstrel explains that he originally disguised himself in order to escape Katisha’s attentions, and he has no intention of being anything but “dead” until she is married to someone else. To save his own neck, Ko-Ko woos and wins the lady in record time. When the Mikado returns from lunch to find his son still alive, and Ko-Ko married to Katisha, the story is tied up in true Topsy-Turvy Gilbertian fashion.
“If You Want to Know Who We Are” (Opening Chorus and Recitative) Nanki-Poo and Men
“A Wandʼring Minstrel I” (Solo and Chorus)
Nanki-Poo and Men
“Our Great Mikado, Virtuous Man” (Solo and Chorus) Pish-Tush and Men
“Young Man, Despair” (Song) Pooh-Bah, Nanki-Poo, and Pish-Tush
“And Have I Journeyed For A Month” (Recitative) Nanki-Poo and Pooh-Bah
“Behold the Lord High Executioner” (Chorus and Solo) Ko-Ko and Men
“As Some Day It May Happen” (Solo and Chorus) ........................................................ Ko-Ko and Men
“Comes a Train of Little Ladies” (Chorus) Girls
“Three Little Maids From School Are We” (Trio and Chorus) .......... Yum-Yum, Peep-Bo, Pitti-Sing, and Girls
“So Please You, Sir, We Much Regret” (Quartet and Chorus) Yum-Yum, Peep-Bo, Pitti-Sing, Pooh-Bah and Girls
“Were You Not To Ko-Ko Plighted” (Duet) Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo
“I Am So Proud” (Trio) Pooh-Bah, Ko-Ko, and Pish-Tush
“With Aspect Stern and Gloomy Stride” (Finale of Act 1) Ensemble
“Braid the Raven Hair” (Opening Chorus and Solo) Pitti-Sing and Girls
“The Sun, Whose Rays Are All Ablaze” (Song) Yum-Yum
“Brightly Dawn Our Wedding Day” (Madrigal) Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, Nanki-Poo, and Pish-Tush
“Hereʼs A How-De-Do!” (Trio) Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo, and Ko-Ko
“Our Mikado, Great Mikado” (Entrance of the Mikado, Chorus, and Duet) Mikado, Katisha, Girls, and Men
“A More Humane Mikado” (Solo and Chorus) Mikado, Girls, and Men
“The Criminal Cried as He Dropped Him Down” (Trio and Chorus) Ko-Ko, Pitti-Sing, Pooh-Bah, Girls, and Men
“See How the Fates Their Gifts Allot” (Glee) Mikado, Pitti-Sing, Pooh-Bah, Ko-Ko, and Katisha
“The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring” (Song) Nanki-Poo, Ko-Ko, Yum-Yum, Pitt-Sing, Pooh-Bah, and Pish-Tush
“Alone, and Yet Alive!” (Recitative and Song) Katisha
“Willow, Tit-Willow” (Song) ........................................................................................................................Ko-Ko
“There Is Beauty in the Bellow of the Blast” (Duet) Katisha and Ko-Ko
“For Heʼs Gone and Married Yum-Yum” (Finale of Act II) ........................................................ Ensemble
by David Auxier-Loyola and David Wannen
The Mikado is undoubtedly the most popular piece of musical theatre of all time, when its 135-year history is taken into account. For decades, a production of G&S’s satirical opera could be seen somewhere in the English-speaking world every day of the year. Its libretto has found its way into our language, with expressions such as the “grand Pooh-Bah” and “Let the punishment fit the crime.” Several films have been made of or about the work, including Mike Leigh’s 1999 film Topsy-Turvy, which presented an intimate portrait of the characters of W.S. Gilbert, Arthur Sullivan, and the repertory cast of the original D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, following G&S’s inspiration and development of the very first Mikado production.
In 2016 New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players created the production of The Mikado that you are about to see. Our goal was simple and it remains the same now: to forge a path through the 21st century so that The Mikado can be forever enjoyed by all audiences and artists. The show opened to sold out crowds and critical acclaim in December of 2016, was revived in 2019, and has been on tour all over the USA. We are proud to share this production, which upholds The Mikado’s musical score, setting, characters, storytelling, themes, and most of all its universal satire of human nature, with you today.
Our reimagined production starts with a short, original prologue. After you enjoy the soaring overture brilliantly played by the NYGASP Orchestra, the curtain opens not on the fictional Japanese town of Titipu, but on the imagined offices of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company on the morning after their successful opening night of Princess Ida, which Gilbert & Sullivan wrote immediately before The Mikado. This short scene sets the stage for our concept of The Mikado as a story imagined (in real time) inside the mind of our author, W. S. Gilbert, who was inspired by the Japanese artifacts he has just seen, the conversations he has just had and the colleagues with whom he has just interacted. At the end of the Prologue, we are launched dramatically into a Titipu of Pure Imagination, and we are right back to Sullivan's score and Gilbert's libretto that we all know and love!
Our company has also, for its entire history, firmly held the belief that modern topical references are appropriate to make the audience’s experience as immediate as it was for the audiences of the 19th century. Londoners would have understood many of Gilbert’s references to popular figures and places of the time. We believe that theatre is a living medium and that judicious revisions are appropriate, whether they be for reasons of entertainment, understanding, or changing cultural sensibilities. Therefore, our long established practice of inserting topical references is ever present for the audience to enjoy in this production.
However, it is the universal truth of The Mikado that has endured and delighted us through the decades. There is nothing more universal than death, and in The Mikado, Gilbert’s dark humor makes us laugh at this most common of all aspects of the human condition. Vanity, acting before thinking of the consequences, the artifices of social behavior, the corrupting influence of power, and many other easily identifiable foibles are all the objects of Gilbert’s wit. Are these not deliciously topical in today’s socio-political environment?
Add to this heady mixture an element of genuine pathos for the piece’s villainess and one quickly recognizes why this story still intrigues and fascinates us 135 years after its creation. We hope you enjoy our new production of The Mikado. Please pass your love of Gilbert & Sullivan to our youth, so that they may sing its beauty “with joyous shout and ringing cheer” for the ages to come.
DAVID AUXIER (W.S. Gilbert / Pish-Tush / Director / Choreographer / Prologue Author) 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 all-new 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!
CAITLIN BOREK (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to NYGASP for The Mikado. She’s been a part of The Yeomen of the Guard, Iolanthe, 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
MICHAEL J. CONNOLLY (Ensemble) 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.
CAMILO ESTRADA (Ensemble) is a proud NYGASP member since 2016! NYGASP productions include The Yeomen of the Guard (Ensemble), The Pirates of Penzance (Samuel/Ensemble), and The Mikado (Ensemble/Nanki-Poo US). Other credits include Quillén (Quillén) at NY Theater Festival Winterfest, Aladdin (Aladdin: A Musical Panto) with People’s Light, Orlando Calderon (Anxiety Stew) at the Cherry Lane Theater, and Pásek (Příhody lišky Bystroušky) with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble. Camilo holds his BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University.
MICHAEL GALANTE (Ensemble / Wardrobe Coordinator / Company Manager) NYGASP since 1987! Michael has performed the entire G&S canon and The Rose of Persia with NYGASP. Credits include Lord Dramaleigh in Utopia, Limited, and Francesco in The Gondoliers. Other theatre credits include: Flute (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Fenton (The Merry Wives of Windsor), Lennie (Of Mice and Men) and Moonface (Anything Goes). Michael was the 2008-2009 recipient of NYGASP’s Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement.
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.
AMY MAUDE HELFER (Jessie Bond / PittSing) G&S: Iolanthe, Phoebe, Tessa, Kate, Pitti-Sing, Melissa, Angela, Counsel, Mrs. Partlet (NYGASP), Ruth (Utopia Opera), Pirate King (Raylynmor Opera), Phoebe (Winter Opera STL). Favorites: Rosina and Stéphano with NYCO at Bryant Park, alto soloist in the US premiere of Vessels of Light at Carnegie Hall, Sister Margaretta (SofM), Petra
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: The Mikado (ALNM), Carmen, Klytämnestra, Madame Flora (Medium), Dinah (Trouble in Tahiti), Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd), Witch (H&G). Opera CT Opera Idol 2024 second place; Lotte Lenya Competition semifinalist. Proud member of AEA, 2021-22 Asimov Award recipient, high holiday cantorial soloist. For Mom. amymaudehelfer.com
MAURIO HINES (Ensemble) is a native of Durham, North Carolina. He made his debut as Matthew Kumalo in Kurt Weill’s Lost in the Stars as part of the Glimmerglass Festival’s Young Artist Program. Mr. Hines has appeared with Lyric Opera of Chicago in Porgy and Bess, performed as a featured dancer in Hawaii Opera Theatre’s The Flying Dutchman, and appeared in The Mikado with NYGASP, Oklahoma! with the Denver Center Theatre Company, backup singer for Josh Groban at Radio City Music Hall, the Metropolitan Opera and will make his OffBroadway debut in The Little Match Girl
NATALIA HULSE (Ensemble) Past credits include: Elsie Maynard in The Yeomen of the Guard (NYGASP), Sylvia/Margot in The Merry Widow (Geneva Light Opera), Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Lamplighters Music Theater), Adina Cover in The Elixir of Love (Geneva Light Opera), Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family (LMT), Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Eastman Opera Theater), Beth March in Little Women the Musical (Blackfriars Theater). She holds an MM from San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a BM from the Eastman School of Music. www.nataliahulse.com @nataliahulse
SARAH HUTCHISON (Ensemble) Proud NYGASP-er both in New York and on tour since 2009! Other recent projects: Tennessee Williams’ Not About Nightingales (Empirical Theatre); various readings at the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, and recording projects at Avatar Studios and with Grammy Award-winning producer Mikaelin “Blue” BlueSpruce. She is grateful for her amazing family & friends’ continued love and support. Graduate of Muhlenberg College; proud member of Actors’ Equity and the Patrick Page Studio. “Keep calm and patter on...”
ALEXANDRA IMBROSCI-VIERA (Ensemble)
Most recently seen as Maria in West Side Story at the Dezart Playhouse. New York: Leila in Iolanthe, Kate in The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, Ruddigore, Trial by Jury, The Sorcerer, The Mikado, Patience (NYGASP), Quillén (NY Theatre Festival), All Kinds of People (Inside Broadway), Sueños (NYTB New Works). Select regional: Kate McGowan in Titanic (Actors Theatre of Indiana), 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
SABRINA LOPEZ (Ensemble) Sabrina is very excited to perform in The Mikado with NYGASP! Recently performed as Cinderella in Cinderella, Bomba in Bomba and the Coquí, and Inez in The Baker’s Wife. American Academy of the Dramatic Arts Los Angeles credits include Veronica in Heathers, Henry V (II,i) and Captain Gower in Henry V, and Meg Magrath in Crimes of the Heart. Other roles include Esmeralda in Hunchback of Notre Dame, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Molly in Farragut North, and Evelyn in Shape of Things. www.sabrinamlopez.com IG: @sabrina_mae21
PATRICK LORD-REMMERT (Ensemble) Joined NYGASP in 2022 in The Gondoliers and has since performed in The Yeomen of the Guard, The Mikado, Patience, Trial by Jury, and The Sorcerer. He holds a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from Butler University and did his Masters Work at the Musik und Kunst Privat Universität der Stadt Wien. Instagram: @plordrem
DAVID MACALUSO (Arthur Sullivan / KoKo) most recently performed as Major General in Central City Opera’s The 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 (NankiPoo) is a proud NYGASPer since 2013, most recently as the Tenor in Iʼve Got a Little Twist!, on tour as Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, Luiz in Gondoliers, and ensemble in Pirates, Patience, Ruddigore, Princess Ida, and The 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 (Ensemble) 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), Sir Joseph Porter KCB (H.M.S. Pinafore), & Jack Point (Yeomen). 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.
JACK F. MURPHY (Ensemble) is delighted to be back with NYGASP after his company debut in Yeomen this fall! He was last aboard the Pinafore at Ohio Light Opera, where he works as a Resident Professional Artist. Other OLO roles include Tommy (Brigadoon), Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), and Orpheus (Orpheus in the Underworld). Additional recent credits include The Irish… and How They Got That Way at Playhouse on Park, You’ve Got A Friend: The Music of Carole King onboard Celebrity Reflection, and Chorister with the NY Philharmonic. www.jackfmurphy.com IG: @jfmurphy123
LOGAN PITTS (Ensemble) is an NYC-based performer, director, and interdisciplinary storyteller whose work spans theater, opera, dance, and film. He returns to NYGASP after a year in Hong Kong performing as Scar in The Festival of the Lion King for Hong Kong Disney. A proud company member, Logan has performed in more than half the G&S repertoire, including Yeomen, Iolanthe, Gondoliers, Patience, The Mikado, Pinafore, & Pirates! Additional favorites include Bran Castle (Signature), Bach & Bleach (LaMaMa), and The Light Years (NYSAF). Known for his warm lyric baritone and love of joyful ensemble work, he’s thrilled to be back aboard! Say ahoy @logan.ef.pitts
SARAH CALDWELL SMITH (Leonora Braham / Yum-Yum) has performed the full G&S canon with NYGASP! Ms. Smith’s principal roles include Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Yum-Yum (The Mikado), Patience (Patience), Rose Maybud (Ruddigore), Gianetta (The Gondoliers), and Constance (The Sorcerer), among others. NYC: City Center Encores! (Music in the Air), Victor Herbert Renaissance Project (title roles in Mademoiselle Modiste, Naughty Marietta, and The Fortune Teller, Grace Holbrook in The Princess Pat, and Gretchen in The Red Mill), and Blondchen with Liederkranz Opera Theatre (Die Entführung aus dem Seraglio). Graduate of Manhattan School of Music and NYGASP’s Asimov Award Recipient. Love to Daniel, Cora, and Elsie.
(Rosina Brandram / Katisha) Ms. Smith has completed the entire G&S canon with NYGASP, roles: Ruth, Katisha, Queen of the Fairies, Little Buttercup, Lady Blanche, Dame Carruthers, Duchess of Plaza-Toro, Dame Hannah, Baroness von Krakenfeldt and Mrs. Partlet. Upcoming: Katisha with First Coast Opera, Spring 2026. Other credits include: Junon in Orphée aux enfers with Opera Company of Middlebury, and Duchess of Plaza-Toro with Winter Opera Saint Louis. A proud member of NYGASP’s award-winning cabaret show I’ve Got a Little Twist!, and a recipient of the Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement. angelachristinesmith.com
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: The Mikado
LAURA SUDDUTH (Ensemble) Laura made her NYGASP debut at New York City Center in the 2012-2013 season, and has twirled around the stage as Isabel, Zorah, Giulia and various wards/fairies/sisters/cousins ever since. Laura’s professional credits range from Broadway (Les Liaisons Dangereuses) to TV (HBO’s The Undoing, Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), as well as regional theatre (including world premiere musicals at Kansas City Repertory Theater and Arkansas Rep). Favorite credits span opera, operetta, musicals and plays: A Little Night Music (Anne), Le Nozze di Figaro (Susanna), As You Like It (Celia), Assassins, and Carousel. www.laura-sudduth.com / IG @laurasudduth.
MATTHEW WAGES (Richard DʼOyly, Carte / Pooh-Bah) Isaac Asimov Award for Artistic Achievement. In addition to Shakespeare, musical theatre and educational series, Mr. Wages has performed 18 different principal bass and baritone roles with NYGASP since 2015. Dramatis Personae: Pirate King, PoohBah, Lord Mountararat, Giuseppe Palmieri, Sergeant of Police, Sir Despard Murgatroyd,
Wilfred Shadbolt, Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre, Florian, Major Murgatroyd, Samuel, Bouncer (Cox & Box), Tare/Poppytop/de Vere (Ages Ago/Mr. Jericho), I’ve Got A Little Twist!, Roderic (Ruddygore: Revisited) G&S Festival U.K. Director and Adapter of Cox and Box, the Film! Love to Kenji, Jo Jo & Kento. MatthewWages.com, FB: The Matthew Wages, IG: @MatthewWages.
DAVID WANNEN (Richard Temple / The Mikado) NYGASP since 2004: favorites include Pirate King (Pirates), Wilfred Shadbolt (Yeomen), Colonel Calverley (Patience), Paramount (Utopia), Pvt. Willis (Iolanthe), Sultan (Rose of Persia), Arac (Princess Ida), Bill Bobstay (H.M.S. Pinafore) and title role in The Mikado. Tours: Beauty and the Beast (Beast u/s), Camelot with the late Robert Goulet (Lancelot u/s); Regional: Nominated Best Featured Actor by Philadelphia Inquirer for Camelot (Media Theater). Producer, 2017 The Mikado; Co-Producer & Original Cast, I’ve Got a Little Twist!; Executive Director, NYGASP.
JAMES MILLS (Artistic Director) is a native of New Mexico and a graduate from the UNM Department of Theatre and Dance. He has worked onstage and off with NYGASP for twenty seasons. Most known for his “patterman” roles, James has stage managed, tech directed, and stage directed productions for NYGASP, as well as having helmed the many pandemic-era digital presentations. James is a stage director for The College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, MA. As a member of the CLOC National Honorary Committee of Alumni, James takes pride in sharing the legacy of Gilbert & Sullivan with students from around the country.
JOSEPH RUBIN (Musical Director / Managing Director) is one of the leading authorities on early American Musical Theatre and
founded the Canton, Ohio based non-profit American Musical Productions in 2003. He has restored, produced, and conducted such forgotten works from the musical stage as Madame Sherry, The Prince of Pilsen, and the original 1902 The Wizard of Oz. Other productions include The Student Prince, The Chocolate Soldier and Naughty Marietta He recently produced and conducted the centennial production of Rodgers and Hart’s musical Dearest Enemy in Akron, OH where it premiered in 1925. Upcoming: 100th Anniversary production of Sigmund Romberg’s The Desert Song in July 2026. www.josephnrubin.com
DAVID WANNEN (Executive Director & President) is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in vocal performance and holds a post-baccalaureate in business from
Columbia University. Mr. Wannen is a veteran of the NYGASP stage and a member of the NYGASP board of directors. Mr. Wannen is producer of the all-new critically-acclaimed production of The Mikado, and co-producer of I’ve Got a Little Twist!, NYGASP’s original cabaret. His other responsibilities for NYGASP include fundraising, marketing, board development, and strategic planning. Mr. Wannen is a past president of North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, recently completing six years of service as an officer of the board. He is the recipient of the 2018 Western Arts Alliance Award for Mentorship and an Association of Performing Arts Professionals Leadership Fellow.
ANNETTE DIELI (Wardrobe) Hartford Stage Company (running crew), Bronx Opera (props, costume assistant), Props for Out of The Box Theater Company. Stage manager and props for a new musical, It’s a Brand New World, for the Three Act Theater Company. Artistic Director of her own puppet company. I have completed the entire canon of Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas with NYGASP.
BRYAN PATRICK STOYLE (Production Stage Manager) Bryan has been working with NYGASP for the last three seasons, and he is excited to take on the role of Stage Manager after previously serving as Assistant Stage Manager and Assistant Tech Director with the company. In addition to working behind the scenes, Bryan is an actor, director, writer and audiobook narrator. Proud member, SAG-AFTRA. Love to Sarah. www.BryanPatrickStoyle.com
NOAH G. STRONE (Associate Technical Director) a seasoned member of the NYGASP technical team, Noah started with the company in 2008 as videographer and has progressed to Associate Tech Director and Transportation Coordinator roles in recent years. His true passion is being behind the scenes and making all the magic come to life on stage. Noah’s love of G&S comes from his father, the former Chairman of the Board, Michael J. Strone and he thoroughly enjoys
being a part of the company so many after years he started!
QUINTO OTT (Costume Designer) Originally from Tucson, Arizona, a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, and a NYGASP company member since 2009. Quinto played the role of 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
BENJAMIN WEILL (Production Manager / 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
ANSHUMAN BHATIA (Set Designer) His designs for opera, dance and theater have been seen at Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts, Dublin’s Civic Theater, Soho Rep, The Public, The Atlantic, Arena Stage in Washington D.C., The Park Avenue Armory, Bard Music Festival, WP Theater, The Juilliard School, Madison Opera, Classic Stage Company, HERE Arts Center, LoftOpera, MaYi Theater Company, Keen Company, Pacific Symphony, Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, Virginia Arts Festival, Rattlestick Theater, The Sheen Center, Troy’s EMPAC. M.F.A. NYU. www.bhatiadesign.com
Now in its fifty-first year of operation, New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) is America’s preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble. Founded by Albert Bergeret, who has been hailed as “the leading custodian of the G&S classics” by New York Magazine, NYGASP has created its own special niche in the cultural mosaic of New York City and the nation. Since its founding in 1974, the company has presented over 3,000 performances of the G&S masterpieces throughout the United States, Canada, and the U.K. captivating audiences of all ages.
The company has in its repertory thirteen different complete G&S comic operas (cast, orchestra and crew of 50-80 people), special versions of the most popular comic operas designed for children’s audiences, and a variety of charming concert programs created especially for NYGASP’s star sextet ensemble.
NYGASP’s annual New York seasons started at the Peter Norton Symphony Space on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in 1978, followed by seasons at New York’s venerable City Center in 2001. NYGASP’s performing home since 2015 has been the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. Our 2025-26 51st season includes The Yeomen of the Guard, H.M.S. Pinafore and Utopia, Limited under the direction of new Artistic Director James Mills. For more information visit www.nygasp.org
The company’s celebrated ensemble of G&S experts, developed by introducing new singers each year from New York’s immense pool of vocal and theatrical talent, has collaborated with such guest artists as world-renowned G&S exponent the late John Reed, O.B.E. in numerous comic baritone roles, Tony winner John Rubinstein and Frank Gorshin both as King Gama in Princess Ida, John Astin as Sir Joseph in H.M.S. Pinafore, Hal Linden and Noel Harrison as the Major General in The Pirates of Penzance, Pat Carroll as Little Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore, and Steve Allen as The Mikado.
Touring activities continue throughout the year and in 2026 take the company to California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico in The Mikado. In June 2010 NYGASP was part of the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Gettysburg, PA. The company returned in August 2014 to the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate, England. Visit nygasp.org for more information.
Eve Albiston
Grade 8; Frelinghuysen Middle School; Nominated by Timothy Beadle
Eve plays trumpet in the 8th grade band, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, and brass quintet at Frelinghuysen Middle School. On top of all of her school music commitments, this year she successfully auditioned for the North Jersey Area Band. Somehow, Eve is able to balance being a great student, athlete, and musician and is able to excel at it all. Congratulations Eve!
Dora Chen
Grade 12; Pequannock Township High School; Nominated by Anthony Streifer
Dora has been a phenomenal member of our Jazz Band for the past four years, in addition to her five years in Marching Band and four years in Concert Band. Throughout that time, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, humility, and work ethic. What has been most impressive is her growth. She entered high school as a developing fourth trumpet player and, through persistence and disciplined effort, has become a confident soloist and lead player. Dora is a powerful example of how commitment, resilience, and a positive attitude translate directly into musical and personal success. She is an outstanding leader: musically and personally.
Diya Garg
Grade 8; Brooklawn Middle School; Nominated by Carrie Sack
Diya Garg is an 8th grade alto saxophone player at Brooklawn Middle School in Parsippany. As section leader in the 8th Grade Concert Band, Diya is not only an exceptional player, but also brings enthusiasm and a great work ethic to every rehearsal. In addition to Concert Band, she has successfully auditioned into the school jazz band where she plays lead alto saxophone. Diya also successfully auditioned for the pit orchestra for this yearʼs spring musical, Shrek the Musical, Jr. and will be performing in the wind section of our school symphony orchestra later in the year. Diyaʼs willingness to involve herself in all facets of her schoolʼs music program is appreciated by her directors and her peers.
Addison Kay
Grade 8; Mountainview Middle School; Nominated by Leigh Carpenter
Addison is a talented musician who has an insatiable desire to further her knowledge and skill in music. She has been generous with her knowledge, mentoring her peers to help raise the level of our music program. Addison is advanced in her playing, both technically and musically. She has been performing with our 7th and 8th graders since she was in 5th grade. Once she became a 7th/8th grader, she mentored her younger and same-aged peers on her main instrument, the flute, volunteering to come to their rehearsals, giving thoughtful suggestions for improvement. She has also branced out
to learning the piccolo, clarinet, and trumpet, taking new instruments to practice at home. Addisonʼs versatility, desire to learn, and willingness to help are a boon to our music department.
Dylan Kovach
Grade 12; Mount Olive High School; Nominated by Daniel Pasquale
Dylan Kovach is a member of our Wind Ensemble serving as a section flute and piccolo player. While Dylan brings a high level of musicianship, he also brings a strong work ethic as he balances his time and finds time to come to the band room to practice. Dylan recently conducted the finale of our All-District Band Concert with an awrrangement of John William’s “Raiders’ March” with our combined wind ensemble and 8th grade band. He demonstrated great conducting skill and led a productive rehearsal with this distinction. Dylan maintains a busy schedule in our performing arts department as a member of our auditioned Concert Choir and numerous lead roles in our drama program.
Angelina Mania
Grade 8; John Hill School; Nominated by Yvonne Manca
Angelina Mania has demonstrated exceptional dedication and growth as a clarinetist this year. As a member of the clarinet section, she consistently comes to rehearsal prepared, having practiced her music thoroughly and mastered challenging passages with confidence and musicality. Angelinaʼs tone quality, articulation, and attention to dynamics have strengthened the overall sound of the ensemble, and she serves as a positive role model for younger musicians. Beyond her strong technical skills, Angelina shows outstanding leadership, always willing to help classmates with fingerings, rhythms, or reed adjustments. Her respectful attitude, perseverance, and genuine love for music makes her highly deserving of this award.
Grade 12; Morristown High School; Nominated by David Gallagher
Emily has been in our band program for all four years of high school and has been playing in our Honors Wind Ensemble for the last three. She is an incredibly hard worker and this work ethic is shown in her flute playing every day. She has done an amazing job this year with solos and exceptionally hard repertoire. I am also incredibly proud of her as a TA for our Symphonic Band. She is demonstrating leadership, great energy, and a positive attitude. Our Symphonic Band students love working with her and we are lucky to have such a great student in our program.
Kiyan Odgers
Grade 8; Pequannock Valley Middle School; Nominated by Michael Kertesz
Kiyan is an outstanding and versatile musician who consistently demonstrates dedication, positivity, and leadership within our music program. He performs at a high level across multiple ensembles, playing trumpet in Jazz Band, mellophone in Marching Band, and bass clarinet in Concert Band. Kiyan’s ability to successfully perform on several instruments highlights both his strong musical skills and his commitment to continually growing as a musician. Beyond his musicianship, Kiyan brings a great positive energy to every rehearsal and performance. He approaches challenges with enthusiasm, works hard to improve, and helps create a supportive environment for his peers. His leadership and willingness to step up when needed make him a valuable role model for other students in the ensemble.
Trip Sassaman
Grade 8; Randolph Middle School; Nominated by Tom Davidson Drumming, percussion, and music have been a key element to much of Trip’s upbringing and education. He began showing signs of musical rhythm when enrolled in the Kidville Rockin’ Railroad music class at the age of two. The band’s drummer was impressed with how “on beat” Trip was while playing on his little drum along with the music from the band, so Trip’s parents got him a little tom drum and mallets to play at home and encourage his talent to grow. This interest in music carried along with Trip continuing to mimic patterns, beats, and rhythms of music his parents played for him. Trip enjoyed singing, dancing, and especially drumming to just about any song he heard. With such a wide variety of music his parents listened to, Trip was exposed to rock, jazz, country, pop, big band, swing, and Christian genres. Trip has continued to learn and grow, playing in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands. Mr. Davidson (Trip’s 6th Grade Band and Jazz Ensemble Director) and Mr. Eskin (Trip’s 7th Grade Band and Percussion Ensemble Director as well as percussion lesson teacher) quickly noticed that Trip was not only talented but also a dedicated student who enjoys practicing and loves challenging pieces. Trip has served as a leader within the RMS Band Program. As a 6th grader, Trip also tried out for the Jazz Ensemble and was selected to be one of the set drummers. Trip is also a member of the Percussion Ensemble, playing with that group in 7th and 8th grade. With all of these activities, practicing, dedication, and ability to quickly learn and perform new music, Trip has been nominated and accepted into multiple honor bands throughout middle school. He has been a part of the North Jersey School Music Association (NJSMA) Elementary Honor Band in 6th Grade, the North Jersey Junior Area Band in 8th Grade, and tried out and qualified 13th out of 33 percussion candidates for the NJSMA Intermediate Region Band.
Rachel Stieff
Grade 8; Brooklawn Middle School; Nominated by Joseph Stella
Rachel is a talented percussionist in our 8th grade band. She is the definition of the phrase “outstanding band member.” Rachel takes her practicing very seriously and is always prepared for her band class assignments, lessons and performances. She can often be found quietly helping other members of the percussion section during rehearsals in a positive way that helps those students without disrupting the rehearsal process. Aside from her musical accomplishments, she is also always very polite and responsible and it is obvious that she enjoys her time with the band. Rachelʼs musicianship, drive, positive attitude and demeanor make her an excellent choice for this monthʼs MSOM.
Alyssa Wang
Grade 11; Whippany Park High School; Nominated by Peter Sciaino
Alyssa is an outstanding member of the Whippany Park Bands. She has successfully auditioned for and been selected to Area Band, Region Band, and All-State Band; an impressive achievement that reflects both her exceptional talent and tireless work ethic. An outstanding horn player, Alyssa was also selected to Region and All-State Orchestra. At Whippany Park, she serves as principal horn of the Wind Ensemble and Pit Orchestra, section leader of the marching band, and performs on trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble. In every ensemble, Alyssa raises the bar, bringing her beautiful tone, sophisticated musicianship, and supreme dedication to rehearsals and performances alike. Her leadership, consistency, and passion for excellence make her an invaluable asset to the program and a model for her peers.