H.M.S. Pinafore
Even if you’ve never heard of H.M.S. Pinafore or even of Gilbert and Sullivan, once this beautifully appointed production begins, you’ll be humming along to tunes that are a part of everyone’s musical DNA.
This was G&S’s first big success, and it displays all the hallmarks of their mature oeuvre. There’s the young couple, their love thwarted by the ingenue’s betrothal to a much older man. There’s the comical high-up public official who means to wed her. There’s the chorus of men, here the crew of the Pinafore; and a chorus of women, here the admiral’s extended family. And there’s the revelation of switched infants.
It’s all deliriously silly, given the kind of loving treatment from the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. If there’s any troupe that can lay claim to be the true heirs of the legendary D’Oyly Carte, which performed the masters’ works from their own day to 1982, it’s Albert Bergeret’s group--at least on this side of the pond.
From the time of their conception at the height of Victorian England, G&S’s works have been beloved by the upper crust for their gentle satire of the class system. Time was when a "gentleman" was defined by his knowledge of G&S patter songs, like the luscious (and much-parodied) "When I Was a Lad" ("I thought so little, they rewarded me/By making me the Ruler of the Queen’s Navy!).
But the ultimate tribute to "Pinafore" (at least recently) occurred when Bart Simpson stalled for time by having Sideshow Bob sing the entire score, which he does with gusto.
Of the singers and the chorus, there can’t be enough praise. Stephen Quint is a splendidly ridiculous first lord of the Admiralty, and Richard Alan Holmes his perfect foil as the commander of the Pinafore. Colm Fitzmaurice (what a perfect G&S name!) is properly handsome, charming and has a ringing tenor as Ralph Rackstraw.
As Josephine, Laurelyn Watson Chase is the standout. Her clear, ringing soprano enunciated all of the clever lyrics, and if she was gently miked, I didn’t notice. As Buttercup, Angela Smith had a little trouble with some enunciations and was reaching in the high register, but gives a nicely comic performance, poking gentle fun at her own girth.
The orchestra was certainly raggy in parts, but considering that this is a pick-up band with probably not too much rehearsal, it was just fine.
Overall, this is as much pure, unadulterated delight as you’re likely to find in the New York theater this season. Considering that people swarm in from all over the country to experience this troupe, we should consider ourselves lucky that we’re only a subway ride away.
Even if we’re not an Englishman (as the famous song goes), we can enjoy the inspired antics, lightning-paced lyrics and lilting music that has made G&S the synonym for "light opera."
"For in spite of all temptations/To belong to other nations/He remains an Englishman." Indeed.
The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players
H.M.S. Pinafore through Wednesday, June 11 only!
City Center
West 55th Street, between 6th &7th Avenues
212-581-1212
www.nycitycenter.org
