The Gondoliers  premiered at the Savoy Theatre in December of 1889. The twelfth of the fourteen collaborations by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, it showcases them at the height of their talents. The opera is a feast for the eyes, the ears, and the heart!

As GSSA artistic director Ralph MacPhail, Jr. takes a well-deserved sabbatical summer, Michelle Haché will serve as stage director in his stead. Michelle, winner of two B. Iden Payne awards for her G&S roles, is highly esteemed in the central Texas theatre community for her work both on the stage and in directorial roles. Jeffrey Jones-Ragona returns for his 19th season as Music Director. Bill Hatcher returns as Production Manager.

Set in Venice,  The Gondoliers possesses perhaps the most sparkling and tuneful music of any composed by Sullivan, and indeed provides the most dancing. Of all the G&S operas, The Gondoliers features the greatest range of choreography. Sullivan borrowed from France the stately gavotte, from Spain the cachucha, from Italy the saltarello and the tarantella, and from Venice the barcarolle.

Gilbert returns to his favorite theme of topsy-turvydom, and satirizes snobbery regarding class distinctions in society. By setting the work comfortably far away from England, Gilbert was emboldened to direct sharper criticism at the nobility and the institution of the monarchy itself. 

As the opera begins, the audience is treated to the longest choral opening of any of the Savoy operas, with Venetian gondoliers and maidens setting the scene and playfully inviting us into their colorful world. Shortly, the young bride of the heir to the throne of the kingdom of Barataria arrives in Venice to join her husband. But he cannot be identified, since he was entrusted to the care of a drunken gondolier who mixed up the prince with his own son. As the King of Barataria has just been killed, these two young gondoliers must now jointly rule the kingdom until the nurse of the prince can be brought in to determine which of them is the rightful king. And that is only the beginning of the delightful complexity of the plot.

All performances will have supertitles for dialogue and lyrics.

Auditions February 27 & 28 -- SIGN UP TODAY !

Auditions are by appointment only

Call Pat Turpin at 512-963-9021 (7am-8pm) or email her ataudition@gilbertsullivan.org to reserve a time slot.

Audition times: Saturday, February 27 10am-6pm & Sunday, February 28 1:30 pm-6 pm

Ten performances at Worley Barton Theatre, Brentwood Christian School, June 16 - 26, 2016

Auditions held in room A-130 on the Campus of Brentwood Christian School - 11908 N. Lamar

All roles are open for casting including principals and chorus. All performers will be compensated. Auditions are approximately ten minutes long and are by appointment only.

Those auditioning should memorize a song from Gilbert & Sullivan or something similar that will show their voice and range to best advantage. It is mandatory to provide a copy of the music for the accompanist. Please note that no unaccompanied (a cappella) or self-accompanied auditions will be heard. Although an accompanist will be provided, singers are welcome to bring their own if they wish.

A completed audition form and conflicts questionnaire is required, and a résumé and headshot are requested. See all forms and other information including, a libretto, the vocal score, and a complete description of the opera (including character vocal range) above at the right.

Contact us if you have any audition questions