By Allegra C. Caldera

Yesterday I picked up my first red-gold leaf off the sidewalk. Today, I cracked open a box of sweaters and contemplated re-introducing scarves to my wardrobe. There’s a crisp chill in the air, a beautiful New England fall on the way, and, of course, another HRG&SP production in the works. Our orchestra members are sight-reading their music; our designers are getting re-certified to work in the scene shop; and our cast, directors and stage manager and are already busily rehearsing. Together, they’re getting ready to create a refreshed and reinvented Mikado, with a new Las Vegas spin.

Fall Evening outside of Agassiz Theater 

Maybe it’s because my first G&S show was a fall production of Pirates of Penzance, but I’ve always thought the red-velvet decor of the Ag fits perfectly with autumn. The smell of new sawdust and the laughter of sing-through go just right with the fall weather. So, as the leaves change and the chill begins to settle in, wish us luck with our preparations to bring laughter and light (opera) to Harvard Yard… and make sure to catch The Mikado at the end of October!

by Alex J. Raun ’17

With the closing of Pinafore almost a month in the past, we have all been having intense G&S withdrawals over these past few weeks. However, last week, we were able to have a much needed reunion at our annual Spring Tea! The event was filled with great conversation, creative hats, and of course, amazing food (I think I’m still full). Anne A. Power ’16 lead the charge as the master chef, and some classic dishes included Coronation Chicken sandwiches, homemade scones, and coconut macaroons. Additionally, we concluded the event with our traditional hat competition. This year, the winner was Barra A. Peak ’18! Her outstanding hat can be seen in the picture below.

Spring Tea 2016

By Emma R. Adler ’16

With this spring’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore sailing off into the great blue eternity of HRG&SP posterity, it’s time to set our sights on what’s to come. HRG&SP is thrilled to announce our season for the coming year: The Mikado; or, the Town of Titipu in the fall, and The Sorcerer in the spring.

The Mikado will be helmed by the topnotch producing team of Peryn E.A. Reeves-Darby ’18, Michaela J. Kane ’18, and Alexander A. Raun ’17. With this production of The Mikado, HRG&SP hopes to subject problematic aspects of the show to scrutiny, and to contribute to other campus organizations’ efforts to facilitate greater mindfulness and commitment to social justice among Harvard students.

The Sorcerer, written just before Pinafore, has historically enjoyed much less acclaim than The Mikado (not to mention many fewer productions). However, HRG&SP believes that there is plenty to be said for this ugly duckling of the G&S canon, and that its mockery of Victorian obsessions with rank and social niceties will cause it to dovetail nicely with The Mikado, which places similar mores under a satirical microscope.

The Mikado will run in the Agassiz Theater from October 28 through November 4. In the meantime, be sure to check out the production photos from Pinafore, taken by HRG&SP mainstay Joey Goodknight.

by Peryn E.A. Reeves-Darby

The HRG&SP’s production of H.M.S Pinafore successfully set sail and is now drifting off to the horizon as we set our sights–land ho!–on the town of Titipu.

The first weekend of shows went off without a hitch, as members from all around the community came to see Josephine (Olivia Miller ’16) and Ralph Rackstraw (Alex Raun ’17) sing their way to true love despite the barriers of social class and Josephine’s prearranged marriage to the brilliantly pitiful Sir Joseph (Kevin Hilgartner ’16). Ben Kelly ’17 dazzled as Captain Corcoran and eventually won his superb Buttercup, portrayed with charm and coy humor by the memorably excellent Laura A. Peterson ’16. Our superb chorus of sailors, sisters, cousins, and aunts was second to none and brought great depth to the musical joy of Pinafore.

On a wave of laughter, baby-farming, deadeyes, sisters, cousins, and aunts we were washed ashore to the second weekend where we were delighted to celebrate our 60^th Anniversary as an organization. The weekend kicked off with an enthralling talk entitled “Pinafore in America” from the learned Russ Sype, who explored the Pinafore explosion that swept the US on the back of a copyright loophole that allowed pirated performances by the dozens. The HRG&SP alumni panel highlighted the accomplishments of our graduates and showed us how passion for G&S can shape professional paths and ambitions. A definite joy was the sing-through full of beloved classics and lesser known works sung by one and all. The always marvelous Victorian Ball was full of joy and rapture, where we rung in the merry bells of 60 years of HRG&SP with clinking glasses, dancing feet, and lots of delicious delights.

After nine wonderful performances with our two directors, Olivia Munk ’16 and Jacob Moscona ’16, at the helm and a 60^th Anniversary Celebration that even Arthur and William would be proud of, we would personally like to thank you for coming to see H.M.S Pinafore and for all for your continued support and enjoyment of HRG&SP!

We hope to see you in the fall for The Mikado!

With one week to opening and our brilliant cast and crew on leave from the HMS Pinafore for spring break, we’re excited to welcome you to the Agassiz House for our first weekend of shows starting March 25th! Don’t forget our second weekend too and associated 60th Anniversary celebration! Tickets available from the Harvard Box Office*

And, hey students! Come see Pinafore for FREE on Wednesday March 30th with student ID at the door! Otherwise, student tickets are $10.

*A quick announcement that our friends at the Harvard Box Office will be relocating temporarily to Farkas Hall (10 Holyoke Street) and will open March 25th for walk-up sales. Box office hours will remain the same, 12 noon-6pm Tuesday–Sunday.  The customer telephone 617-496-2222 will not change. You are still able to call to order tickets or may do so online, or can purchase seats at the door at Agassiz House.

Our ship has finally docked at the historic Agassiz Theater. Staff members from all departments have been working arduously over the last couple of weeks to prepare for our Load In. As we finally reached started to build in the theater yesterday, the cast and staff came together to assist with many of our large-scale build endeavors. Under the masterful leadership of our technical director, Katie Polik ’18, we were all able to come together and complete the installation of many of these key scenic elements.

For the first time since the Harvard-Radcliffe Gilbert andSullivan Players’ 2012 production of The Mikado, we have once again raked the stage of the Agassiz Theater. Designed by Evan Schueckler ’15, this configuration offers a unique scenic perspective and will surely be something you will not want to miss!

Over the next week, our technical departments will continue to work hard to complete a bulk of their workload before spring break. Katie and our master carpenter, Raymond Ng ’17, will be working on decking the ship to convey a resounding maritime atmosphere. Our brilliant costume team of Julia Thomas ’17 and Katherine Smith ’18, with the assistance of Cassie Lowell ’17, will continue to bring this nautical chicness to life in the actors’ wardrobes. Additionally, Yasmin Yacoby ’19, our lighting designer, will have to refocus all the lights I bumped my head on at Load In to convey seafaring glow through her noteworthy lighting.

Load In tech crew gives their “seal” of approval to the raked stage!

We are just over two weeks out from opening night, so be sure to order your tickets today!

By Barra A. Peak ’18

Orchestra rehearsal may have ended last night, but the tune of “I am the Captain of the Pinafore” is still in my head. I find Sullivan’s peppy, cheerful music to be a joy to listen to and a joy to play, and this semester it seems the whole orchestra is in agreement; rehearsal is a fun time!

This semester we’re pleased to welcome many new faces to the HRG&SP orchestra alongside our steadfast returning players. Under the baton of veteran HRG&SP music director Jacob Moscona ’16, the orchestra has been hard at work for the past month to learn the music for H.M.S. Pinafore. Last night the cast and orchestra came together for the first time to run the whole show. There were hiccups—skipped repeats and misplaced fermatas—but the energy and skill of all our musicians shone through. We look forward to serenading you a month from now with what promises to be a show to remember!

If you are interested in joining the HRG&SP orchestra, please email hrgsp.orchestra@gmail.com! The orchestra is open to all Harvard affiliates and members of the Boston/Cambridge community.

Tickets to H.M.S. Pinafore are available through the Harvard Box Office. We hope to see you there!

By Michaela J. Kane ’18

The cast and crew of H.M.S. Pinafore are starting to really make waves in preparation for the 60^th Anniversary performances! Our incredible cast is not only busy preparing to perform for everyone, but is also going through shop training in preparation for what is sure to be a spectacular technical production. On the staff side, this past week’s designer meeting featured presentations from our fabulously talented costume designers Julia Thomas ’17 and Katherine Smith ’18. We don’t want to spoil it too much for you, but it will definitely include some lovely-looking ladies and sharply dressed sailors! Your truly will be doing assistant light design for the show under the incredible Yasmin Yacoby ’19, so look forward to some delightfully nautical blue colors.

Speaking of looking forward, we hope everyone is getting excited for our 60^th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee!The festivities will take place in the second week of performances (March 30^th – April 3^rd), and will include panel discussions from our alumni, expert presentations, and the not-to-be-missed Victorian Ball. We look forward to celebrating with everyone on board the beautiful H.M.S. Pinafore!

Tickets to join us aboard are available from the Harvard Box Office.

By Laura A. Peterson ’16

As of last Tuesday, we officially have a cast for our spring production of H.M.S. Pinafore; or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor! This semester’s cast includes HRG&SP alumni from every production dating back to our November 2012 production of The Mikado. In addition to a strong contingent of veterans, we are thrilled to welcome new performers from all class years to our cast and organization. The cast and directors cannot wait to get started, and we all look forward to a semester full of laughs, new friendships, and beautiful music!

Our cast list can be found below. How many names do you recognize?

Continue reading →