HMS Pinafore and The Magic Knight
Troupers proudly presented Gilbert and Sullivan’s first big hit: “HMS Pinafore” along with Victor Herbert’s comic opera spoof, “The Magic Knight”
Performed April 1 & 8, 2017 at 7:30 pm; April 2 & 9, 2017 at 2:30pm at the new Wall Street Theater
See show photos by A.S. See show photos by A.G. See all publicity photos
Summary of HMS Pinafore
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Summary of The Magic Knight
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This opera (1878) is a satire of love among ranks and of incompetent politicians. Sir Joseph Porter, as First Lord of the Admiralty has never gone to sea, and obtained his political position by apple-polishing rather than innate ability. He is consciously modeled on W. H. Smith, the bookstore magnate, who was the real First Lord of the Admiralty at the time, even though he had no naval experience at all. Smith was called “Pinafore Smith” for the rest of his life.
As the story opens the crew of the HMS Pinafore is happily singing and salutes their popular, democratic captain. The seaside vendor, Little Buttercup comes on board selling food and trinkets and when the young hero Ralph Rackstraw appears, she indicates that there is a secret behind him that only she knows. Sir Joseph arrives with his retinue of sisters, cousins and aunts and tells of how he rose to the rank of First Lord by polishing the handle of the big front door of his attorney’s firm. The Captain has promised his beautiful daughter Josephine to Sir Joseph, but Josephine secretly loves Ralph Rackstraw, a lowly sailor. Josephine tells Ralph he should refrain from loving her because of the disparity of their ranks, while to the side exclaiming how much she actually loves him. Ralph tells his messmates he has been rejected, and threatens to end it all, but at the last moment Josephine enters declaring her love. They plan to sneak off to be married, but ugly Dick Deadeye warns that it will never work because and he is a lowly tar and she is a Captain’s daughter. However, the chorus thrusts him away and the first act ends happily with a series of rousing choruses as they sing of their plans.
In the second act, the Captain sings of the changes taking place. Sir Joseph tells the Captain that Josephine shouldn’t be so reticent to be attracted to him, since it is official policy that love levels all ranks and they sing the rousing Bell Trio. Deadeye warns the Captain of the impending elopement and the Captain catches them as they are sneaking away, uttering an injudicious expletive that shocks everyone. Sir Joseph in hearing of Ralph’s intent banishes him to the dungeon. But then Buttercup reveals her dark secret that changes everything and all ends happily.
“The Magic Knight” is a light-hearted and silly spoof of grand opera and in particular of Lohengrin.
Elsa and her brother Godfrey have been left orphans under the guardianship of their uncle and aunt Frederick and Ortrud, who conspire to defraud them of their estates.
Godfrey has disappeared, and Elsa is accused before the King of making away with little Godfrey, and is about to be condemned when, as a last resource, she demands to have the Herald ask for some knight errant to appear and champion her couse against her uncle.
Lohengrin appears, sailing down the river on a boat drawn by a swan, and in answer to Elsa’s appeal fights and defeats Frederick, whereupon Ortrud confesses that she used her magic arts to change Godrey into a swan, and Lohengrin, being something of a magician himself, changes him back again and returns to Fairyland.
If the audience will listen intently, it is possible that the shade of Richard Wagner may be heard to turn over.
Cast of HMS Pinafore
Directed by Emily Trudeau
Music direction by Eric Kramer
Josephine | the Captain’s daughter | Brett Kroeger |
Ralph Rackstraw | able bodied seaman | Alan Briones |
Sir Joseph Porter, KCB | First Lord of the Admiralty | David Schancupp |
Captain Corcoran | Captain of the Pinafore | Frank Sisson |
Buttercup | a bumboat woman | Wendy Falconer |
Cousin Hebe | Head cousin | Suzanne Rossini |
Dick Deadeye | able seaman | Bob Scrofani |
Bill Bobstay | Boatswain | Erik Contzius |
Bob Becket | Carpenter’s mate | Neil Flores |
Chorus: Rosa Parrotta, Jennifer Wallace, Melissa Anderson, Rob Strom, John Hoover, Jim Cooper, Bill Abbott, Guy Stretton
Cast of The Magic Knight
Directed by Marian Shulman
Music direction by James Cooper
Elsa | Sings cadenzas | Miran Robarts |
Lohengrin | the magic knight | Alan Briones |
Ortrud | sorceress, Frederick’s wife | Nicole McQuade |
Frederick | Elsa’s cousin | Rob Strom |
King | Frederick’s father | Erik Contzius |
Herald | herald to the King | John Hoover |
Chorus: Rosa Parrotta, Jennifer Wallace, Melissa Anderson, Rob Strom, Bill Abbott, Guy Stretton, Frank Sisson, Wendy Falconer, Neil Flores, Suzanne Rossini