The Judge Strikes Back
Stage director: Doreen Finkelstein
Music director: Michael Taylor
Choreographer: Cordelia Willis
Rehearsals will begin on or about June 1.
About the show:
A sequel to last year’s very successful The Great Gilbert & Sullivan Sing-Off, this show follows a similar structure, with a twist: the judge thought this was an opera competition, and they do not care for Gilbert & Sullivan.
Three theater companies are competing in a Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, performing musical numbers drawn from throughout the Gilbert & Sullivan canon. (Most of the songs this year will be different than the ones from last year.) One company tends to be traditional in their presentations, while another company is very non-traditional, indulging in things like gender-swapped characters, updated lyrics, and modern references. The third company is unlucky; somehow or other, everything they try to do goes wrong in some way: the lead forgets the lyrics, or the supertitles operator goes rogue, or the choreography turns into a train wreck.
Halfway through the show, the judge throws out the third company and brings in opera singers to join the competition (still singing Gilbert & Sullivan). By the end, the opera singers gain a new appreciation for Gilbert & Sullivan and the joy of community theater.
Come help us celebrate the works of Gilbert & Sullivan with both love and humor, entertaining those new to G&S and those who know every song by heart!
Roles:
There are opportunities in this show for multiple leads of all voice types, with both traditional and non-traditional casting (such as singing gender-swapped roles, or portraying characters that are normally portrayed by much younger or much older actors). We are also seeking an ensemble to sing chorus parts for all companies. Part of what we do in this show will depend on who comes out to audition, so come show us your strengths!
In addition to the multiple lead singers and the ensemble, there are some larger speaking roles:
Judge (any gender, any voice type): Officious and pompous. Believes that they judge “real” music – opera – and feels that Gilbert & Sullivan is beneath them. This is primarily an acting role with a small amount of solo singing.
President of Silicon Valley Savoyards (any gender, any voice type): The president of a Gilbert & Sullivan company that is more traditional in their offerings. Although not antagonistic towards others, they have an opinion about what is “proper” Gilbert & Sullivan. Includes some solo singing with the opportunity of lead singing.
President of Topsy Turvy Light Opera (any gender, any voice type): The president of a Gilbert & Sullivan company who likes to do non-traditional casting, change settings, and change lyrics. Loves Gilbert & Sullivan and loves to find new ways to entertain audiences. Includes some solo singing with the opportunity of lead singing.
President of Caldecott Tunnel Community Theater (any gender, any voice type): The president of a very amateur, very unlucky group that is relatively new to Gilbert & Sullivan. They do community theater because it’s fun. (Last year their name was Sunol Grade Community Theater.) Includes some solo singing with the opportunity of lead singing.
Members of Magnum Opus Opera (any gender, any voice type): We seek one or more performers to portray opera singers new to Gilbert & Sullivan. These roles will only appear in Act II. Includes solo and lead singing; strong operatic singing ability required.
The role of the emcee has been pre-cast.