After Being Absent Last Year, The G&S Fest Returns To The City Center With Four Shows Including The Pirates Of Penzance And HMS Pinafore


G&S Fest 2010 Begins At The City Center On January 8th

HMS Pinafore at City Center

Feeling down because holiday pastimes in New York are fading away? Never fear—the "G&S Fest 2010” kicks off at City Center next week (Jan.8-17) after being absent last year.

The Gilbert & Sullivan Players will do four shows during their run, including the big three: “The Pirates of Penzance” (Jan. 9; 15); “HMS Pinafore” (Jan. 10; 12); and “The Mikado” (Jan. 8; 9; 16). The company is also presenting an all-new production of “Ruddigore, or, The Witch’s Curse” (Jan. 14; 16; 17).

Four Shows By The Gilbert & Sullivan Players

This last offering includes sets inspired by the work of master-of-the-macabre writer/illustrator Edward Gorey (among many other things, he was responsible for the animated titles on PBS’s “Mystery” series.) It hasn’t been part of the company’s offerings for more than 10 years.

The musical tells the story of the baronets of Ruddigore, all of whom are cursed and must commit a crime every day or meet with a horrible demise. (But this is Gilbert and Sullivan after all; satire abounds.) The matinees are preceded by Family Overtures, which introduce kids to the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire.

Spring Productions Coming Soon

While you’re at it, check out the rest of the City Center winter/spring season. “Encores” presents “Fanny” (Feb. 4-7) the 1954 musical about a young man whose love for the sea trumps his love for a young woman; plus the New York Flamenco Festival (Feb. 11-14, now in its 10th year.

The Paul Taylor Dance Company and a production of “Anyone Can Whistle” are among the rest of the season’s offerings. City Center is at 130 West 56th Street; call (212) 581-1212 for more information about tickets.