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Written by Harry Cherkinian
Jun 3, 2010
“An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan.” – Photo: Courtesy
Gilbert & Sullivan together again? Well, only in the afterlife – literally. And what a charming and comical place this “afterlife” turns out to be, thanks to the delightful production of “An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan” which opened last weekend at the Skylight Opera Theater, completing its 50th anniversary season.
Is the duo’s “afterlife” actually heaven? Or you know, that other place with the fire down below? For the audience, it’s a humorous two hours (including a 20-minute intermission) of clever tongue-in-cheeky remarks sandwiched between some of the pair’s most famous songs, taken from a number of the 14 operas they wrote over their 25-year creative collaboration.
Much to Sir Arthur Sullivan’s surprise – and dismay – he ends up in a well decorated Victorian parlor complete with butler (and talented pianist), along with his fellow composer and “sparring” partner W.S. Gilbert. Together, in human form, they created such works as “Pirates of Penzance,” “The Mikado,” “H.M.S. Pinafore” and “Yeoman of the Guard,” all of which are featured in this musical revue.
The evening follows an arc of the pair’s relationship through song and dance, while the butler serves to provide expository information that ranges from factual (Sullivan was a womanizer) to fictional and funny (Oscar Wilde is down the hall and he’s done up his room in all lavender). The two bicker, reminisce and eventually come to appreciate the other’s talents for what they created.
What makes this evening so enjoyable are the three actors who fill the stage so memorably. As Gilbert, John R. Muriello is a perfect foil to Gary Briggle’s Sir Arthur Sullivan, his dry sense of humor taunting the oh-so-proper Sullivan, as mischievous as he is gleeful in exasperating his partner as he dons a dress in “I’m Called Little Buttercup.”
Like Muriello, Briggle is a veteran of Skylight productions, including a number of G&S shows. His talent once again shines through as Sullivan. Every movement expressive of the fussy, demanding composer hits the right note with a power that belies his perseverance. Muriello is his perfect counterpart vocally as well as theatrically, strutting in military costume as he sings and marches to “Onward Christian Soldiers” (which Sullivan wrote).
Jeff Schaetzke doubles quite nicely as the English butler and music director (onstage pianist), who’s there to gently remind the other two of the good times amidst the clash of their titanic egos.
Much credit goes to director Dale Gutzman, who returns to direct the show that he conceived and wrote. Gutzman has created a delightful piece that honors the genius of the duo’s work while mining the humor of their historical pairing.
How appropriate that the Skylight finishes its 50th anniversary season with the two composers who were the foundation of the very first show.
