New England Light Opera presents rare Gilbert/Sullivan shows

TOPSFIELD, MA –New England Light Opera, a professional operetta and musical theater group, kicks off its 5th season with its first full production: The Gilbert and Sullivan Radio Hour. The show features two operettas written by the famous pair —each without the other! Directed by Peter A. Carey, Cox and Box and Happy Arcadia will be set as a live radio broadcast in the 1940’s during the war. It will be performed two weekends: March 16th-18th in Hamilton, and March 23rd-25th in Needham.

A shortened version of Sullivan’s piece Cox and Box has remained in the repertory as a curtain raiser for the shorter operettas. This production will include many features of the original longer version. Gilbert’s show Happy Arcadia has rarely been performed in this country. The original score has long been lost. This production will feature a “new” score of music from Sullivan’s lesser known operas constructed by Tufts professor Jonathan Strong. Having specialized in staged concerts and revues, this will be NELO’s first foray into a fully staged, lit, and costumed production.

The cast includes Daniel Kamalic (Watertown), Brad Fugate (Boston), Gregory Zavracky (Jamaica Plain), Teresa Blume (Boston), Marya Danihel (Portsmouth), and Jim Jordan (Newton). The show is stage directed by NELO regular Peter A. Carey (The Merry Widow, The New Moon), music directed by NELO Artistic Director Mark Morgan (Somerville), and accompanied by Karen Gahagan (Marble-head) at the piano.

Performances will take place March 16th and 17th at 8:00 p.m., and March 19th at 3:00 p.m. at the Hamilton-Wenham Community House, Route 1A in Hamilton. Performances will also take place March 23rd and 24th at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday March 25th at 3:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Ave in Needham. Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors 65 and older, and $5 for children and students with current ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling the NELO box office at (978)887-2045 or online at www.newenglandlightopera.org.