Fall 2001: The Grand Duke
Synopsis
In the Grand Duke, Gilbert and Sullivan come full circle, back to the theme of their first collaboration: A troupe of actors takes political power. The story contains a number of hilarious moments and funny characters, the settings are colourful and the music is cheery and flavourful. Some find this opera to be the most underrated of the G&S works.
Ludwig, an actor, replaces the company manager, Ernest, and then he replaces the miserly Grand Duke Rudolph of Pfennig Halbfennig, after "killing" each of them by drawing the ace from a deck of cards in two "statutory" duels. By winning the statutory duels, Ludwig assumes all of Ernest's and Rudolph's rights and obligations. Soon he finds himself with far more wives, and prospective wives, than he knows what to do with. Never fear: once again, a lawyer solves the problem and all ends happily.
Director: Brian Smith
Music Director: Alan Case
Choreography: Kathy Perconti
Cast
- Ludwig
- Jeffrey Miller
- Julia Jellicoe (an English Actress)
- Sarajane Fondiller
- Lisa (a soubrette)
- Susanna Adams
- Ernest Dummkopf (a Theatrical Manager)
- Nathan Brimmer
- Grand Duke Rudolph of Pfennig Halbpfennig
- Patrick Adams
- Dr. Tannhauser (a Notary)
- David Holliday
- Baroness Caroline von Krakenfeldt
- Cynthia Cuddeback
- The Prince of Monte Carlo
- David Schafer
- Jacintha (The Princess of Monte Carlo)
- Elissa Quinn
- Herald
- Amanda Lobaugh
- Olga
- Deb Bower
- Gretchen
- Paula Gullo
- Bertha
- Patti Anne Montrois
- Elsa
- Adrienne Lynn West
- Viscount Mentone
- Sean Taylor
- Otto
- Tracy Burdick
- Liebchen
- Tisa Silverlining
Chorus
Christopher Adams, Terry Badger, Stuart Beck, Suzanne Bell, Chris Brown, Derek Corbett, Lilah Crews-Pless, Penny Fram, Stephen Gullo, Judith Maloney, Shirley Ann Miller, Kathy Moore, David Odgers, Jennifer Odgers, Maureen Odgers, Naomi Pless, Suzanne Rath, Laurel Schneiderman, Fred Scipione, Scott Wagner
Crew
- Stage Manager
- Adele Blake
- Set Construction
- Tracy Burdick
- Costume Managers
- Naomi Pless, Brian Smith
- Lighting Designer
- Michele Denber