Fresh Takes on Gilbert & Sullivan: Episode 1

“Fresh Takes on Gilbert & Sullivan: Episode 1” June 15, 2021 / 7:30pm
Streaming on demand through July 15 www.gilbertsullivan.org
Free

Gilbert & Sullivan Austin presents a new streaming series. Episode one features a sequence of scenes created by Austin theatre artists that present a “fresh take” on classic selections from Gilbert & Sullivan operettas “H.M.S. Pinafore,” “The Mikado,” and “Ruddigore.”

With the Fresh Takes series, GSA pivots from traditional staging and promises to surprise and delight audiences with completely new interpretations. GSA President Diane Radin anticipates the fun of experiencing Gilbert & Sullivan’s genius in a rollercoaster tour. “This is an exciting venture for GSA – it’s not your grandma’s Gilbert & Sullivan! We hope it will continue to attract new talent and introduce new audiences to GSA’s productions.”

A diverse collection of performers and directors, along with local artists not usually associated with GSA, has reimagined scenes and songs from the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire. The GSA production committee has emphasized inclusion, equity, and diversity. GSA’s active participation in the #ATXTheatre group, founded in 2020, inspired this series. GSA is reaching out both to new and established audiences to share the clever satire and the enduring delights of the comedies of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Rudy Ramirez created a fresh take on “Ruddigore” for episode one. “I first saw ‘Ruddigore’ when the Gilbert & Sullivan society at my college performed it, and it was my favorite production of theirs that I saw. I wanted to preserve the fun and frivolity of the piece while giving it a bit of an Austin-vaudeville flair with the live accordion (thanks to the Renaissance woman that is Chris Humphrey) and the beautiful, classic backdrops of Austin Scottish Rite Theater.”

Gilbert & Sullivan Austin is presenting “Fresh Takes on Gilbert & Sullivan” (#FreshTakesGandS) as a follow-up to our #DiscoverGSA live streams. #DiscoverGSA revived previous grand productions for a limited time with live watch parties hosted by former members of casts and crews. Episode two of Fresh Takes is due later this summer, with a third episode planned for early fall.

“Fresh Takes on Gilbert & Sullivan: Episode 1” Program Selections

Original Scene: Opening scenes from Act II of “H.M.S. Pinafore.”

Fresh Take: An all-female cast in a ghostly vehicle cemetery performing four songs.

Reimagined By: Rising opera director Margaret Jumonville. Jumonville has directed for the Chicago Summer Opera, Opera Steamboat, the University of Texas Butler Opera Center, and Opera NEO. Her interests include innovation within the art form, queer representation in opera, and demystifying acting methods for singers.

Cast Members: Acclaimed mezzo-soprano Ellie Jarrett Shattles as Captain Corcoran, Natalie Joy as Little Buttercup, Abigail Jackson as daughter Josephine, and Pei-Jun Wang as Sir Joseph.

Original Scene: From “Ruddigore,” the delicate encounter of yearning Rose Maybud and bashful Robin Oakapple in Act I.

Fresh Take: 1920’s black-and-white “talking picture” taking place at the Scottish Rite Theater’s jewel box of a 19th-century stage.

Reimagined By: Rudy Ramirez, associate artistic director of Austin’s Vortex Repertory and winner of six B. Iden Payne awards for directing.

Cast Members: Chris Humphrey (Scottish Rite Theatre, Shrewd Productions, Weird Sisters) providing accordion accompaniment for soprano Malyssa Quiles (Vortex Repertory) and tenor Luke Linsteadt (Zach Theatre).

Original Scene: “Cheerily carols the lark” aka “Mad Margaret’s Lament” from “Ruddigore.” Fresh Take: A wild and whirling webcam nightmare as Margaret waits for her iPhone to ring. Reimagined By: Vocal and audio production artist Bonnie Bogovich.
Cast: Bonnie Bogovich provides a one-actor/one-director/one-editor tour de force.

Original Scene: “The sun whose rays are all ablaze” from “The Mikado.”

Fresh Take: A princess’s haunting dreamscape meditation about herself, the sun, and the moon.

Reimagined By: Michael Meigs of CTXLiveTheatre.com.

Cast Members: Images by artist Barb Jernigan (GSA, Georgetown Palace Theatre, Way Off Broadway Community Players) with freelance writer and soprano Susan Johnston Taylor.

Original Scene: “Three little maids from school are we” from “The Mikado.”
Fresh Take: A sparkling contemporary feminist recreation featuring the director’s own children, their

playmates, and a very 21st-century trio.

Reimagined By: Christie Jean-Jacques of Creative Action, choreographer for GSA’s “The Gondoliers” and “The McAdo.”

Cast Members: Stephanie Chavez Noell (Senior Director of Creative Action Community Programs and accomplished choreographer), Ismael Soto (multiple-award winning local actor, Georgetown Palace Theatre), and Amy Downing (B. Iden Payne award winner and recipient of the Austin Critics Table John Bustin Award for Conspicuous Versatility).

Original Scene: “As some day it may happen” aka “I’ve got a little list” from “The Mikado.” Fresh Take: Lyrics modified by Trey Deason.
Reimagined By: Michael Meigs and Trey Deason.
Cast: Trey Deason (playwright,The Vortex, Shrewd Productions, Sky Candy).

Gilbert & Sullivan Austin was founded in 1976 as an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the works of Gilbert & Sullivan. Known for its highly acclaimed annual grand productions from the G&S repertoire, GSA also spreads and teaches the joys of G&S through school and community presentations.

This project is funded and supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com. Additional support provided by the Still Water Foundation and private donors. Poster designed by Jennifer Rose Davis, Pilgrimage Design.