860-217-0052www.sloco.org

howard hirsch, Stage director

michael ersevim, music director

OR The Lass THAT loved a sailor

GILBERT & SULlIVAN

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march 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2012simsbury high school

President’s Welcome

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this year’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore.

This is indeed a historical year for the Simsbury Light Opera Company. Although we have been performing light operas since 1946, the tradition of Gilbert and Sullivan in Simsbury actually began in 1935, when a combined group from the Congregational and Methodist Churches produced H.M.S. Pinafore. In 1941 and 1946, this same informal group produced The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance. With these three successful productions behind it, and with the enthusiastic support of both organizations and audiences, the company was formalized and incorporated under the laws of Connecticut in 1947. Since that time, all the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas have been performed, except The Grand Duke. The Company has also presented Rudolf Friml’s The Vagabond King, George and Ira Gershwin’s Of Thee I Sing, Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow and Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss.

This unique Company has had many notable music and stage directors over the years, including “Mr. Gilbert and Sullivan” himself, Martyn Green, our director the two years before his untimely death. For many years, Mr. Green, as the star of London’s D’Oyly Carte company, played all the comic G&S roles. We have performed throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, and with The Hartford Symphony, Farmington Valley Symphony, Soni Fidelis Quintet, CT Concert Opera, at the Atheneum’s Festival of Trees, the Governor’s Mansion and on the CBS Morning Show.

Over the years, SLOCO has donated over $100,000 to arts and educational organizations in the greater Hartford area.

All of our accomplishments would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our cast and backstage crew, including the Officers and Board and Committee Chairpersons. They all have my personal thanks and appreciation.

And to our Patrons, Business Sponsors and Program Advertisers, we owe a huge debt of gratitude. It is your continuing financial support that gives us the opportunity to continue our tradition of performing the highest quality shows. Thank you.

We always welcome new members to sing onstage or work backstage. Let us know of your interest by e-mailing us at sloco@sloco.org. Come join the fun.

And now, enjoy the show!

Elizabeth White President

Carmon Funeral Homeand Family Center of Avon

301 Country Club RoadAvon, CT

860-673-8610888-688-8475

www.carmonfuneralhome.com

The Simsbury Light Opera Company

Officers for 2012

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth WhiteVice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda HirschSecretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elaine SaundersTreasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Roz Hahn

Board of Directors

Mark Callahan, John Craft, George Louis, David St. Germain, Katherine Yeager

H.M.S. Pinafore

Lyrics by W.S. GilbertMusic by Sir Arthur Sullivan

Stage DirectorHoward Hirsch

Music Director and ConductorMichael ErsevimAccompanistElizabeth White

ChoreographerMelissa Jean FederStage Manager

Susan TurnerSet and Lighting Design

Michael HunterCostume Design

Solveig PfluegerPropertiesToby Sidrane

o r T h e L a s s t h a t L o v e d a S a i l o r

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Simsbury, Connecticut | 860.408.2000

CHUBB PROUDLY SUPPORTS

SIMSBURY LIGHT OPERA COMPANY’S

PRODUCTION OF

H.M.S. PINAFORE

CHUBB-sloco ad.indd 1 2/16/12 11:19 AM

H.M.S. Pinafore Program NotesH.M.S. Pinafore, or The Lass that Loved a Sailor, was the first smash hit by the partnership of William S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan. The three comic operettas they had produced before—Thespis, Trial by Jury and The Sorcerer—were successful, but nowhere near as triumphant as Pinafore. The music for Thespis has been lost, although the theme was reprised in their last operetta, The Grand Duke. Thespis, first performed on December 26, 1871, ran for 64 performances; Trial by Jury opened on March 25, 1875 and ran for 131 performances; and The Sorcerer, which opened on November 17, 1877, ran for 178.

Pinafore opened on May 25, 1878, ran for 571 performances to rave reviews. The rest of the works, for the record:TITLE OPENED PERFORMANCESThe Pirates of Penzance . . . . . . . . . . April 3, 1880 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363Patience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 23, 1881 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 578Iolanthe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 25, 1882 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398Princess Ida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 5, 1884 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246The Mikado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March 14, 1885 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672Ruddigore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 22, 1887 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288The Yeomen of the Guard . . . . . . . October 3, 1888 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423The Gondoliers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .December 7, 1889 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 554Utopia Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 7, 1893 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245The Grand Duke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 7, 1896 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

The last two are very seldom performed today, and may have suffered from a long-running feud between Gilbert and Sullivan. Things weren’t helped by Queen Victoria, who knighted Sullivan but never so honored Gilbert.

In 1878, Sullivan was on vacation on the French Riviera and Gilbert was working on the script for Pinafore. He wrote to Sullivan about “a song for the First Lord— tracing his career as office boy (to) First Lord of Britain’s Navy. Of course there will be no personality in this—the fact that the First Lord in the Opera is a Radical of the most pronounced type will do away with any suspicion that W. H. Smith is intended.” In fact, Smith had recently been appointed First Lord of the Admiralty despite having neither military nor nautical experience. In spite of Gilbert’s disclaimer, of course, nearly every Englishman including the Prime Minister made the connection.

Although at the time most authors had little input to the staging of their work, Gilbert was active in everything from stage design to costumes to casting to stage direction. He and Sullivan visited the harbor of Portsmouth, and Gilbert made sketches of H.M.S. Victory and H.M.S. St. Vincent, from which he made a model of the set for the carpenters.

The story is a typical G&S romp of unrequited and frustrated love. Captain Corcoran of the Pinafore has promised the hand of his lovely young daughter,

Josephine, to First Lord of the British Navy, Sir Joseph Porter. Josephine loves a Pinafore able seaman, Ralph Rackstraw, and Ralph is in love with Josephine, but neither realizes that the other shares that love.

Sir Joseph, who has come aboard to inspect the ship with a bevy of “his sisters and his cousins and his aunts,” insists that there must never be any swearing aboard ship. He also lectures that all British sailors are equal to their superiors, except (of course) to himself.

Those words give the lovers the courage to declare their feelings to each other. Knowing the Captain and Sir Joseph will be furious, they plan, in conspiracy with the whole foredeck crew, to elope.

The villain, seaman Dick Deadeye, curries favor with Captain Corcoran by revealing the whole plan to him. Corcoran flies into a rage and utters the word “Damme,” just as Sir Joseph enters the stage. Sir Joseph confines Captain Corcoran to his cabin for swearing. On learning of the lovers’ plan from Corcoran, he banishes Ralph to the brig in chains.

At this point, Little Buttercup, who has come aboard early in the first act to sell goodies to the crew and who has been on stage through most of the performance, reveals that she was formerly a “baby farmer” (wet nurse) to both Captain Corcoran and Ralph Rackstraw at the same time. She mixed them up while they were in her care, turning Corcoran over to the Rackstraws as their own, and Ralph to the Corcorans.

In short order, Sir Joseph makes Ralph captain of the Pinafore and Corcoran a common seaman, renounces Josephine, and hands her over to Captain Ralph. Corcoran and Buttercup, who earlier discovered that they love each other, cry “Oh rapture, oh bliss!” Ralph and Josephine simultaneously cry “Oh bliss, oh rapture!”

Sir Joseph complains that he will now have to live alone. His cousin Hebe says she will marry him, if he drops the rest of his entourage. He resignedly agrees…then immediately perks up and announces there will be a triple wedding on the morrow…right there on the main deck.

A typically happy and slightly ridiculous G&S ending.

H.M.S. Pinafore Plot Summary

QH.M.S. PINAFORE MUSICAL NUMBERS H.M.S. PINAFORE

Dramatis Personae

ACT I

1. We sail the ocean blue (Introduction and Opening Chorus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sailors2. I’m called Little Buttercup (Recitative and Aria) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buttercup2a. But tell me who’s the youth (Recitative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buttercup and Boatswain3. The nightingale (Madrigal) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ralph and Chorus of Sailors3a. A maiden fair to see . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ralph and Chorus of Sailors4. My gallant crew (Recitative and Song). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Captain Corcoran

and Chorus of Sailors4a. Sir, you are sad! (Recitative) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buttercup and Captain Corcoran5. Sorry her lot (Ballad) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Josephine6. Over the bright blue sea (Barcarolle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sir Joseph’s Female Relatives 7. Sir Joseph’s barge is seen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chorus of Sailors

and Sir Joseph’s Female Relatives8. Now give three cheers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Captain Corcoran, Sir Joseph,

Cousin Hebe and Chorus9. When I was a lad (Song) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sir Joseph and Chorus9a. For I hold that on the seas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sir Joseph, Cousin Hebe,

Female Relatives and Sailors10. A British tar (Glee) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ralph, Boatswain, Carpenter’s Mate

and Chorus of Sailors11. Refrain, audacious tar (Duet) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Josephine and Ralph12. Can I survive this overbearing? (Finale) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble

ACT II

13. Fair moon, to thee I sing (Song) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Captain Corcoran14. Things are seldom what they seem (Duet) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buttercup

and Captain Corcoran15. The hours creep on apace (Scena) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Josephine16. Never mind the why and wherefore (Trio) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Josephine, Captain

Corcoran and Sir Joseph17. Kind Captain, I’ve important information (Duet) . . . . . . . . . . .Captain Corcoran

and Dick Deadeye18. Carefully on tiptoe stealing (Soli and Chorus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble19. Farewell, my own! (Octet and Chorus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble20. A many years ago (Song) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buttercup and Chorus21. Oh joy, oh rapture unforeseen (Finale) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ensemble

Cast

The Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. (First Lord of the Admiralty) . . . . . George MurphyCaptain Corcoran (Commander of H.M.S. Pinafore) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathan RodriguezRalph Rackstraw (Able Seaman) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Garrett MatthewsDick Deadeye (Able Seaman) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laurie WeissbrotBill Bobstay (Boatswain’s Mate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dick VaughanBob Becket (Carpenter’s Mate) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Louis Josephine (The Captain’s Daughter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Theresa PilzCousin Hebe (Sir Joseph’s First Cousin) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Candice EdwardsLittle Buttercup (A Portsmouth Bumboat Woman) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amy Mitchell

Sir Joseph’s Sister, Cousin and AuntSister Marie, Elaine Saunders; Cousin Clara, Julie Rumbold; Aunt Sarah, Siobhan Fitzgerald

SailorsMark Callahan, Philip Chapman, Bill Cordner, Phil Faraci, Howard Hahn, Richard Kelpen, George Louis, Arthur Riihimaki, Dick Vaughan

Women’s ChorusRhoda Bannon, Linda Chamberlain, Marion Conklin, Janet Corrette, Elizabeth Gunn, Linda Hirsch, Carol Mader, Pamela Pearson, Susan Porta, Betsy Schiavone, Tema Silk, Emma Wood

DancersKatie Acheson, Melissa Acheson, Rachel Armstrong, Sarah Baierwick, Kayla Barglowski, Emily Cole, Olivia Fassanella, Kyle Kowalchik, Montana McMahon, Katelyn Paddock, Bryanne Sakitis, Ally Storch

ORCHESTRAFlute – Mark SilkOboe – Peggy HartmanClarinet – Michael PiraneoBassoon – Marilyn BrendelHorn – Evan DavisTrumpet – Neal Montgomery

Percussion – Philip AndrewsConcert Master – Aaron PackardViolin 2 – Sarah WilsonViola – Kevin BishopCello – Michele PrizioBass – David Uhl

Orchestrations by Steven Dziekonski

Advertising and Publicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Hirsch, Chair Elizabeth Cargill, Marion Conklin, Patricia Edge,

George and Barbara Louis, George Murphy, Susan Porta Concessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Callahan, Chair

Bonnie-Jean Connal, Samuel and Sharon Connal-Webster, Amber Croft, Jane Croft, Katherine Estell

Costumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Solveig Pflueger, ChairFund Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth White, ChairHospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Philip Chapman, Chair

Toby Sidrane, Elizabeth White, Katherine YeagerHouse Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donald Kurth, Ron Urban and Jane Croft, ChairsLighting Production, Set Design and Stage Crew . . . . . . . . . . Michael Hunter, ChairMailing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth White, ChairPainting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Ann Urban, Chair

Mark Callahan, Doreen Cohn, Marion Conklin, Jan Corrette, Jane Croft, Elizabeth Gunn, George Louis, Carol Mader, Arthur Riihimaki, Toby Sidrane,

Tema Silk, Susan Soltis, Dick Vaughan, Emma Wood, Bob Yurko Patrons and Benefactors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patti Colburn, ChairPatrons Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elaine Saunders, Chair

Elizabeth Gunn, Barbara Louis, Pamela Pearson, Dick and Melissa Vaughan, Elizabeth White

Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Ersevim and Howard HahnPoster Design and Program Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . Freddy Samaniego and Robyn BrooksProgram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martha Arnold, Chair

Will White (copywriter), Linda Hirsch, Elaine Lydon, Elizabeth White (proofreaders)

Program Ads and Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth White and Roz Hahn, Chairs Patricia Brzezinski, Mark Callahan, Bill Cordner, John Craft,

Jane Croft, George Louis, Elaine Lydon, George Murphy, Julie Rumbold, Dave St. Germain, Dick Vaughan

Program Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jay LichtmannProperties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Toby Sidrane, Chair

Dick VaughanSet Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Howard Hahn and Tim Glover, Chairs

Mark Callahan, Elizabeth Cargill, Carol Mader, Dick Vaughan Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan TurnerTickets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anne Hastings, Chair

MacKenzie DuBois, Adele Jones, Elaine and Dick Lydon, Nick and Connie Mason, Dave and Judy Russell, Elizabeth White, B.G. Zeitz

Videographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob YurkoWeb Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hal Chernoff and George Murphy

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Act IK.C.B. - Knight Commander of the Bath. Ralph - Pronunciation rhymes with “waif.”Rackstraw - Straw for bedding.Deadeye - Round wooden block with three holes to adjust tension on the masts.Bobstay - Rope or chain that supports the bowsprit. Boatswain - Pronounced “bos’n.” A non-commissioned officer, similar to a petty officer in today’s navies.Jacky - Chewing tobacco, soaked in rum.Soft tommy - Soft bread, as distinguished from hard tack.Cronies - Wild rabbits.Polonies - Small sausages, usually served at breakfast.Spithead - Body of water near Portsmouth. Foremast hands - A common seaman who serves “before the mast.”Quarter-deck - The deck to the aft of the mainmast usually reserved for officers. Selvagee - A skein or hank of rope yarn used to shorten sail quickly and usually temporarily.Articled clerk - Apprentice in an accounting or law firm. Pocket borough - Politically controlled voting district by a single person or family of wealth. Topman - Sailor who sets the topmost sails.British tar - An enlisted sailor. “Cimmerian darkness” - Excessively dark and gloomy. In Greek mythology, refers to a people who inhabit a land of unremitting darkness. Nine-pounders - Smallest cannons on Royal Navy Ships used to fire blank rounds in salute to a dignitary, but also used in battle.

Act II“Sixes or sevens” - A state of confusion. Bumboat - A small harbor boat used for transporting items to ships at anchor or moored away from shore. Highlows - An ankle-high laced boot.Jackdaws - A small variety of crows.Catchy-catchies - A game played with small children. Gillow’s - A fashionable London furniture manufacturer. Hymen - Greek god of marriage. Fo’c’sle - Short for “forecastle.” Living facilities in the bow of the vessel, before the foremast and under the foredeck.Baby-farming - The taking in and caring for children for payment. Predecessor of modern-day foster care.

H.M.S. Pinafore Glossary

r "Howard Hirsch

Stage Director

Michael Ersevim

Music Director& Conductor

In his 50-plus years as an actor and director, Mr. Hirsch has been a creative force in hundreds of plays and musicals. A theater major at Hofstra University, he went on to study directing with José Quintero, Mike Nichols and Stella Adler. One of his proudest achievements was the founding of The Park Road Playhouse, directing over 50 productions in eight award-winning seasons. He continues to share his talents with many regional theater companies, as he finalizes plans for a new and exciting theater project later this year. He and his wife Lin, who is also very active in theater, reside in West Hartford.

A classically trained orchestral conductor, violinist and vocalist, Michael is a graduate of Trinity College, Hartford, and the Hartt School of Music, with degrees in conducting. He has been assistant conductor/conductor with City Singers, Mostly Baroque Players, Hartford Symphony Orchestra with Michael Lankester, and Robert Page at Carnegie Mellon, among others. Additionally, he conducted two organ concertos with John Rose, organist, at Trinity College Chapel. Michael has also had principal roles with SLOCO, most notably as the Mikado in the 2007 Mikado and the Earl of Mountararat in Iolanthe in 2002. In his spare time, Michael is a property/casualty actuary, and enjoys photography, racing cars and Scrabble. He lives with his wife and family in Glastonbury.

Amy Mitchell (Little Buttercup) Mezzo-soprano Amy Mitchell was a finalist in the Hugo Kauder Society and the Just Love to Sing! vocal competitions, and a semifinalist in the Rochester Oratorio Society’s Classical Idol competition in 2011. Appearances on the opera stage include Dido in Dido and Aeneas with One World Symphony in New York, various opera scenes with Opera North, and Madame de la Haltière in Massenet’s Cendrillon and La Principessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica at the Manhattan School of Music, where she received her M.Mus.

Candice Edwards (Cousin Hebe) Candice’s blossoming career has taken her from the stages of Kansas City to Verona, Italy. She recently sang Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, the title role in Lakmé with the Dublin Conservatory, and Matty in Hail and Reign with Troupers Light Opera. She has been a featured soloist at Steinway Hall in New York City and Sant’Anastasia Cathedral in Verona, Italy. She holds a M.M. in Vocal Performance from the University of Connecticut and a B.M. in Vocal Performance from the University of Central Missouri.

Dick Vaughan (Bill Bobstay) Dick is celebrating his 20th year with SLOCO. Over that time he has appeared as Scynthius in Princess Ida, The Foreman of the Jury in Trial by Jury, Antonio in The Gondoliers, Raoul St. Brioche in The Merry Widow, Sir Richard Cholmondely in The Yeomen of the Guard and Frosch in Die Fledermaus, to name a few. A past president of this august organization, he currently assists SLOCO with several backstage and non-performing activities. He lives in Farmington, with his wife, Melissa, also a long-time member of SLOCO.

Garrett Matthews (Ralph Rackstraw) Garrett is a junior in the Vocal Performance program at The Hartt School, where he studies with Cherie Caluda. He has appeared in the Blackbox Productions of Porgy and Bess as Robbins and Crab man, and Iolanthe as Lord Tolloller. Garrett is from Maryland and started performing classically with the Children’s Chorus of Washington, performing at the Kennedy Center and the White House, in addition to tours of London and Wales. He is excited that H.M.S. Pinafore will be his first full-length G&S.

George Murphy (Sir Joseph Porter) A resident of West Hartford for the last 16 years, George has played a variety of roles with such groups as The Producing Guild, formerly of Hartford, and The Warner Theatre of Torrington. This is George’s first SLOCO production. By day, he is a computer systems professional with Chubb Specialty Insurance in Simsbury. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, music, his classic 1966 T-Bird and riding his motorcycle, when the weather cooperates!

Laurie Weissbrot (Dick Deadeye) Laurie began his long association with SLOCO as a chorus member and understudy in the following productions: Utopia Limited, Trial by Jury, H.M.S. Pinafore, Iolanthe and The Yeomen of the Guard. He has graced the stages of other G&S companies, playing Grosvenor, the Pirate King, Pish-Tush, Sir Marmaduke, Wilfred Shadbolt and Dick Deadeye, among others. He has performed at the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton, England. Laurie is an actuary for Northeast Delta Dental in Concord, New Hampshire, and lives in Glastonbury with his wife Kathy.

Nathan Rodriguez (Captain Corcoran) Nathan is excited to be making his SLOCO debut. He recently completed a Performance Certificate at UConn and has played Voltaire in Candide and Frank in Die Fledermaus with UConn Opera Theater. Other roles include both Don Alfonso and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Maximilian in Candide, Beaumarchais in The Ghosts of Versailles, Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro. Additionally, Nathan traveled to Ireland to perform at the Dublin Institute of Technology. He currently studies with Dr. Jeffrey McEvoy.

Theresa Pilz ( Josephine) Theresa is happily making her SLOCO debut in Pinafore. She recently participated in the 2011 Franco-American Vocal Academy in Périgueux, France, where she performed the leading role of Wanda in La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein. She was the soprano soloist in The Vernon Chorale’s collaborative performance of Mozart’s Requiem with the UConn Concert Choir. A frequent performer with the UConn Opera Theater, she has sung Paquette in Candide, Susanna in scenes from The Marriage of Figaro and Adele in Die Fledermaus. She studies with Dr. Constance Rock.

George Louis (Bob Becket) George has been a performing member of SLOCO since 1983. Some of his favorite roles include Sergeant of Police in Pirates, Sergeant Meryll in Yeomen, the Usher in Trial by Jury, the Notary in Sorcerer and Old Adam Goodheart in Ruddigore. This season, he is delighted to be taking his turn again as the Carpenter’s Mate on the H.M.S. Pinafore.

860-236-0400harrysbc.com732 North Main St.West Hartford, CT

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Designer

Jay Lichtmann

Musical Theater/Opera Credits:•Phantom of the Opera (Third National Tour)•New York City Opera•Atlanta Opera

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Voice Teacher/Vocal Coach

New York, NY/Hartford, CT

marthaearnold@gmail.com

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Martha Arnold

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Call us today at (860) 651.5969

Individual Benefactors have demonstrated their support for our production with a $150 contribution.

Rhoda E. Bannon

Jack and Joan Benham

Put and Nannie Brown

Jane Croft and Family

Lee P. Steel and Rosa M. DeMarco

Jewel A. Gutman

George and Barbara Louis

Richard and Elaine Lydon

Dr. and Mrs. Robert W. Lyons

John and Faith Nekitopoulos

Michael and Susan Oakleaf-in honor of Elizabeth White

Dave and Judy Russell

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Soltis

Sartorius Sports

Wesley and Helen Tervo

Dick and Melissa Vaughan

Laurie and Kathy Weissbrot

Mr. and Mrs. James BagnallBruce and Cathy BernsteinPhillip and Ellen BlumbergJames BradleyRichard and Joan BrighamArthur C. CarrLinda M. and David J. ChamberlainMike and Patti ColburnDelia CongramMarion ConklinBill and Karyn CordnerJanet CorretteEilenn Cyr and Ron GoskiEd deGroat and Jean Guthrie deGroatDiane and Christopher FisherRoz and Howard HahnMichael and Marcia GarfinkelErik Good and Jesse SotoJohn and Elizabeth GunnBob and Marcia HallMonica HarperRod and Leigh HudsonDavid H. JohnsonMr. and Mrs. Richard JohnstonBeth and Richard KelpenNorma G. LeFebvreMr. and Mrs. Alan LyonsNick and Connie MasonBarbara Benedict and Mark MillerJack and Teddi McGuireSharon and Peg OLoughlinRon and Pamela PearsonDean and Sally Porterfield

BENEFACTORS PatronsWe appreciate the $75 contributions from our Patrons.

Business SponsorSWe appreciate the contributions of our Business Sponsors and

encourage you to patronize them. SIMSBURYHolloway’s Appliance, LLC, 860-658-5252Le Bel Esprit Spa, 860-658-2200Mr. James Hair Design, 860-651-3189WEST HARTFORDFierston Financial Group, 860-521-2100 Pfau’s Hardware, 860-523-4201WINDSOR LOCKSStandard Auto Body, 860-623-7311

PatronsContinued...

Patricia and Lewis RabinovitzSadighi FamilyElaine and Clay SaundersFrederic R. SchadtDavid SchancuppBetsy SchiavoneMark and Tema SilkDennis and Sher Hoffman SimoniLen and Diana SimoniJanet StrachanSheila StupcenskiPeter and Sandy SusmanMr. and Mrs. Richard VanderpoelCharles and Pamela VeleyElizabeth White and FamilyWill W. WhiteThe Zietz Family

Thanks to audience members who kindly left money in the donation box in the lobby following our Princess Ida performances in 2011.

2011–2012 ANNUAL FUND DRIVE CONTRIBUTORS

Sheldon and Brenda BakerClara BaurSarah Ann BedellGeraldine BerggrenRobert and Caryl BesescheckPhillip and Ellen BlumbergJames R. BradleyDaniel P. and Nannie BrownAlex and Missy CheyneyRichard and Penelope CoeHenry and Linda CohnEileen E. CyrEd and Jean Guthrie deGroatJudy DitomassiDel Lloyd DrummeyJob EmersonRoxanne and Dennis FarrellChristopher and Diane FisherBob and Marica HallRebecca HallockHarold and Lynne HawkinsShepherd M. HolcombeDick and Beverly HughesElizabeth Ann JohnsonRonald B.L. JonesMr. and Mrs. Sean T. Kelly

Donald Kurth and Jane Croft George and Barbara LouisElaine T. LowengardNick and Connie MasonGregory Matthaey and Ellen Leonard Bruce and Carol MerrittGary C. RindfleischPatricia A. ScanlonDavid E. SchancuppElizabeth Schiro and Stephen Bayer Al and Lydia SchoenbrunnBernd and Lea SeligIn memoriam: Sylvia Sherman Len and Diana SimoniLee P. SteeleRon and Mary Ann UrbanValley Collector Car ClubRichard and Maureen WennerMichael Wetstone and Emily Sachs, in honor of Barrie K. WetstoneConstance WhighamA former SLOCO SavoyardB.G. Zietz

I’m not sure what it is about working with SLOCO that gets people so excited. But when I called my longtime friend, graphics designer Robyn Brooks, for help with the poster, she jumped on the idea and asked to turn it into a project for a class she teaches at Tunxis Community College in Farmington. The result is the beautiful art work on the front of this program.

Tunxis Community College has an excellent Graphic Design

program. Students can earn a certificate or an Associates Degree. Type & Design

is a second-year course. Students learn how to properly choose and use typography in visual

communication. The final class project is usually a poster that must incorporate an image and

typography. Having a real-life project designing the poster for H.M.S. Pinafore was such a treat! Students

had the advantage of having Howard Hirsch, Stage Director, come into class and critique their ideas. The student whose

poster was picked (Freddy Samaniego) will have a published piece to include in his portfolio. Kudos as well to our finalists:

Nadine Onze, Adam Duquette and Shannon Eselunas.

I would like to thank SLOCO for the wonderful opportunity they provided to my students!

• Robyn Brooks – Adjunct Professor Tunxis Community College

S L O C O P a r t n e r s w i t h Robyn Brooks and Tunx is Community College

“”

I was born on October 9, 1986, in Queens, New York. My parents are Ecuadoran immigrants who came to the United States to give my two younger siblings and I a better opportunity in life. My parents are a huge reason why I want to keep striving forward to attain my college degree/certificate. I am currently attending Tunxis Community College with a major in Graphic Design. I chose this field of study because I have always had a passion for art. As far back as I can remember, I was picking up a pencil or paintbrush and spending countless hours drawing or painting. I strongly believe that we are moving toward the visual era, and I want to be able to create a piece of art, whether it be an advertisement poster or a 3-D animation for a movie, that will be remembered long after I am gone.

“

“

”• Freddy Samaniego – Design Project Winner

• Howard Hirsch – Stage Director SLOCO

www.sloco.org

1946 The Pirates of Penzance1947 The Gondoliers1948 Iolanthe1949 Patience1950 The Mikado1951 The Yeomen of the Guard1952 H.M.S. Pinafore/Trial by Jury1953 The Gondoliers1954 Iolanthe1955 Princess Ida1956 The Pirates of Penzance1957 The Yeomen of the Guard1958 The Mikado1959 The Sorcerer1960 The Gondoliers1961 Patience1962 H.M.S. Pinafore/Trial by Jury1963 Ruddigore1964 The Pirates of Penzance1965 The Vagabond King1966 Utopia Limited1967 The Mikado1968 The Yeomen of the Guard1969 The Gondoliers1970 Princess Ida1971 Iolanthe1972 Ruddigore1973 The Pirates of Penzance1974 Patience1975 The Mikado1976 Sorcerer/Trial by Jury1977 H.M.S. Pinafore1978 The Yeomen of the Guard

1979 The Gondoliers1980 Ruddigore1981 The Pirates of Penzance1982 Princess Ida1983 The Mikado1984 Utopia Limited1985 Trial by Jury/H.M.S. Pinafore1986 Iolanthe1987 The Gondoliers1988 The Yeomen of the Guard1989 The Pirates of Penzance1990 Patience1991 The Mikado1992 The Sorcerer1993 Princess Ida1994 Trial by Jury/H.M.S. Pinafore1995 The Gondoliers •50th Year1996 Ruddigore1997 The Merry Widow1998 The Pirates of Penzance1999 The Yeomen of the Guard2000 The Mikado2001 Of Thee I Sing2002 Iolanthe2003 The Sorcerer/Trial by Jury2004 H.M.S. Pinafore2005 Sullivan & Gilbert A la Carte •60th Year2006 The Pirates of Penzance2007 The Mikado2008 The Gondoliers2009 The Merry Widow2010 Die Fledermaus2011 Princess Ida

SLOCO Productions through the Years

The Simsbury Light Opera Company acknowledges with gratitude and appreciation the generous donors whose contributions have helped make possible this season’s production.

With Gratitude!

$250–SAVOYARD SOCIETYIndividual

Donald M. KurthIn Memory of Bette Jane Manion MurphyArthur and Barbara RiihimakiThe Wetstone Family

In Fond Memory of Former SLOCO Members

Jim Freeman

Herbert (Herb) Nordholm

Anne Taggart

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SBTC-064-art-ad-4.875x7.75-bw.indd 1 8/23/10 5:00:17 PM

Special Thanks

Bidwell Yard, Garden and Pets, Simsbury, 860-658-2200

Chris Magee

Antonios, Simsbury, 860-651-3333

Benny’s, Simsbury, 860-651-3700

Brookside Bagels, Simsbury, 860-651-1492

Harvest Café, Simsbury, 860-658-5000

Jason House, Simsbury, 860-651-7936

Little India, Simsbury, 860-408-9010

M & R Liquors, Farmington, 860-284-9799

Simsbury Pizza, Simsbury, 860-658-9556

Tan Wong, Simsbury, 860-651-4838

Whole Foods, West Hartford, 860-523-8500

Special Note: During the preparation of a SLOCO production, families and friends of the cast contribute their time and energy, often after the program

has gone to print. For those of you whose names do not appear—we sincerely appreciate all the help you have given.

The Simsbury Light Opera Company

Extends their thanks and appreciation to

The

Richard P. Garmany Fund

at

for their generous contribution in helping to cover expenses for the Simsbury Light Opera Orchestra.