The Middletown-based CT Gilbert & Sullivan Society celebrates its 32nd year with a revival of "Trial by Jury," a madcap 40-minute burlesque of "breach of promise of marriage," together with the ever-popular "H.M.S. Pinafore" on Sept. 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 16 at 2 p.m.
Accompanied by original orchestrations and presented at the Middletown High School Performing Arts Center, these rich and rollicking musical comedies have captivated audiences of all ages since the 1870s in professional, school and community productions.
The 40-member cast and 23-piece orchestra features professional-quality singers, and professional instrumentalists, made up of artists who support the CG&SS "traditional" presentations of these Victorian masterpieces.
The two final showings of last season's "Ruddigore" were hampered by the Oct. 29, 2011, snowstorm which cut electrical power for more than a week, turning Middletown High into a shelter for residents without power.
The evening show was cancelled, and half of the matinee audience turned back as roads got worse. Members of the matinee audience remained in their seats while generators kicked in so that the matinee could continue. Many from this audience sent unsolicited, generous donations the week following, in support of the only G&S company in the state noted for traditional, highly energized presentations in the style of the original D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.
Additional contributions came a month later after a showing of the video at the school a month later, courtesy of Maestro Marco Gaylord.
The president of CG&SS is Middletown resident David Henderson, who performs the tenor lead in "Pinafore," supported by wife Linda and son Benjamin in the ensemble of both productions.
Major roles in both shows are sung by David Schancupp (Guilford), Ralph Sherman (New Britain), Laurie Weissbrot and Kathryn Bowden (Glastonbury), Cristina DiMuro (Trumbull), Craig Martin (Middletown), Peter Wilhelmsen (Niantic), Laura Heckmann (Brookfield), Don Shirer (Westbrook), Hal Chernoff and Julie Rumbold (Simsbury), Renee Haines (Southington), Nathan Rodriguez (Hartford), Mike Reynolds (Meriden), Wendy Falconer (Stamford), Andrea Olson (Putnam), Denise Shultzman (Groton) and John Freedman (Preston). Artists and audiences alike travel major distances to participate.
Dr. John Dreslin (Stonington) is conductor, with Bob Cumming (East Haddam) as producer-director, Bill Sorensen (Guilford) as set designer-technical director, with creative technical associates Patricia and John Sloan (Middletown), Solveig Pflueger (West Suffield) as costumer, Teresa Hollo Kuzmenko (Lisbon) as stage manager, and Richard Hicks (Middletown) as accompanist.
Tickets are available at ctgands.org or by calling (800) 866-1606.