FESTIVAL TO SALUTE GILBERT AND SULLIVAN.Byline: P. Catherine Shanks Community Columnist A ``supernatural'' show and a lot of snappy patter pat·ter 1 v. pat·tered, pat·ter·ing, pat·ters v.intr. 1. To make a quick succession of light soft tapping sounds: Rain pattered steadily against the glass. set the pace for Comedy Tonight Productions' first Ventura County Gilbert and Sullivan 1. William Schwenk Gilbert erson> and Sir Arthur Sullivan erson>, who collaborated on a number of light operas. See Gilbert. Noun 1. Gilbert and Sullivan - the music of Gilbert and Sullivan; "he could sing all of Gilbert and Sullivan" Festival opening tonight at the Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. Cultural Arts Center. ``Ruddigore,'' a tale of love, madness, good vs. evil and a witch's curse, is the first in a chain reaction of Gilbert and Sullivan events to be staged by the company through Sept. 5. Concert versions of ``The Mikado mikado (mĭkä`dō), a former title of the emperor of Japan used chiefly in the English language. ,'' ``H.M.S. Pinafore'' and ``The Pirates of Penzance'' will include audience sing-alongs. A musical revue written by Comedy Tonight artistic director Gabriel Vega with actress and stage director Toni Jourdan rounds out the fun and frivolity Frivolity Blondie the gaffe-prone, frivolous wife of Dagwood Bumstead. [Comics: Horn, 118] Dobson, Zuleika charming young lady who unconcernedly dazzles Oxford undergraduates. [Br. Lit. . ``Here's a Howdy-Do!'' is a compilation of well-known songs and scenes extracted from six different shows. ``I wanted the revue to be like the best of Monty Python Monty Python('s Flying Circus) British comedy troupe. The innovative group, formed in the early 1960s, came to prominence in the 1970s, first on television and later in films. meets Gilbert and Sullivan,'' said Jourdan, who was turned on to Gilbert and Sullivan after seeing Kevin Kline in the movie version of ``The Pirates of Penzance pirates of Penzance surrender only when charged by the police to yield in the name of their beloved Queen Victoria. [Br. Opera: Gilbert and Sullivan The Pirates of Penzance] See : Loyalty pirates of Penzance .'' ``When they get around to not using music, there are some really choice scenes,'' said Jourdan, adding that she would never again view the genre as dry opera. Vega said that the revue is a good introduction for those who are unfamiliar with Gilbert and Sullivan. Even novices will recognize the famous themes to the ``Major General'' songs and ``Three Little Maids.'' Billed as a brio of comic trios, the revue also includes the majestic finale from ``The Mikado.'' ``We were careful not to make fun of Gilbert and Sullivan, but we are having fun with it,'' Vega said. The artistic director devised the show to attract dyed-in-the-wool fans and build audiences for future productions of some of the lesser-known Gilbert and Sullivan works. Vega and his company will leave no stop unpulled and no gag ungagged for the opening performance of ``Ruddigore.'' Queen Victoria will offer an opening speech, followed by a bottle christening christening: see baptism. of the performance and of the elaborate set created especially for the festival premiere. Genuine recreations of authentic Victorian masks will be available for purchase. The sing-along shows each will run one night only. Audience members will accompany the ranks of chorus in song, from the safety and security of their theater seats. Singers should take musical scores, as only a few scores will be available at the theater. ``It's like the `Messiah' sing-along, only it isn't `The Messiah,' '' Vega said, laughing. The director said that the soloists for the one-night shows are some of the most amazing performers he has ever heard in the county. Vega and Jourdan both credited the limited run for the remarkable turnout in talent. Professional-caliber singers found they could fit one-night performances in their snug schedules. Vega views the festival as an important rallying point Noun 1. rallying point - a point or principle on which scattered or opposing groups can come together point - a brief version of the essential meaning of something; "get to the point"; "he missed the point of the joke"; "life has lost its point" for the Comedy Tonight Company, and a turning point in the history of the group. Comedy Tonight Productions will become a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. while the festival is in progress. The future success of the company rests, in part, on a positive audience response and strong turnout for the five festival events. The entire Ventura County Gilbert and Sullivan Festival will be dedicated to Moorpark College Moorpark College is a California-state funded community college located on a 134 acre (542,000 m²) property reclining on a hill in Moorpark, a town in Ventura County, California. applied music faculty member Marilyn Anderson. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Vega, over the years, Anderson has trained and prepared a vast number of the singers participating in the festival. Anderson has coordinated and directed the opera musical theater performances at Moorpark College for close to two decades. Tickets for ``Ruddigore'' and ``Here's a Howdy Do!'' are $16, $14, and $9. One child will be admitted free of charge to ``Here's a Howdy Do!'' with the purchase of each full-price ticket. Other special group rates and discounts may apply. Sing-along tickets are $6 per person. Reservations are recommended. The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 3050 Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Ave. For tickets and information, call (805) 581-9940. ``Ruddigore'': 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 6 ``Here's a Howdy Do!'': 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20 and 27 and Sept. 3 ``The Mikado'': (sing-along), 2 p.m. Aug. 15 ``H.M.S. Pinafore'': (sing-along), 2 p.m. Aug. 22 ``The Pirates of Penzance'': (sing-along) 2 p.m. Sept. 5. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos, Box PHOTO (1--Color) ``Ruddigore'' will kick off the inaugural Ventura County Gilbert and Sullivan Festival tonight in Simi Valley. (2) (Ran in Conejo Edition only) Actors rehearse Gilbert and Sullivan's ``Ruddigore'' in preparation for tonight's premiere. (3) (Ran in Conejo Edition only) Gilbert and Sullivan's ``Ruddigore'' begins at 8 tonight in Simi Valley. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News BOX: VENTURA COUNTY GILBERT AND SULLIVAN FESTIVAL (See text) |
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