More Theater Monday - The Sorcerer & Trial by Jury

We were given complimentary tickets to the Sorcerer & Trial by Jury for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own 

What: The Sorcerer

Where: Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College

             119 East 68th St.

              New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages: 6 and Up

When: This event took place on April 6 & 7, 2024

The Sorcerer is a 19th-century comic opera by Gilbert & Sullivan. The plot involves an entire town being enchanted with a magic potion that makes them fall in love with the first person they see. This leads to a number of comical pairings. Much of the humor is connected to characters falling in love with those above or below their station in life. Although this is not as much of an issue today, other aspects of the show remain relatable including several couples with large age gaps. Thus, the show can still be amusing and enjoyable to today's audiences.

 If you listen to an older recording of the show, and it all sounds too highly operatic and unrelatable (as many older recordings can), it is not that way when you experience it live. In fact, New York's Gilbert & Sullivan Players recently staged quite a charming production of the show. The acting and singing were joyously exuberant, and the voices were rich and lovely. 

Modern references were even thrown into a song or two, including allusions to singer, Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, football player, Travis Kelce, to keep the show more exciting and relatable for current audiences. Although Gilbert & Sullivan purists may not like this, anything that draws modern audiences in and keeps them entertained and wanting to see these shows thus keeping them alive is probably a good thing. There were also some fun references to other Gilbert & Sullivan shows, including the group's most recent production of The Mikado, built into the set. Even purists couldn't possibly object to those. 

And that's our view.

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What: Trial by Jury

Where: Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College

             119 East 68th St.

              New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages: 6 and Up

When: This event took place on April 6 & 7, 2024

Trial by Jury is a short one-act operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan which often accompanies one of their longer productions. It revolves around the trial of a man accused of jilting his fiancee for another. Although breach of promise lawsuits may have been popular during the composers' time, obviously they are not now. Despite this, the show is still. very funny, and the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' recent production of the show, which played with their previously mentioned production of The Sorcerer, was quite enjoyable.

And that's our view. Although these production conclude New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players current 49th season, to find out more about the company and/or to sign up to be one of the first to find out about and order tickets for their upcoming 50th season, visit nygasp.org/current-season

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits: 

All The Sorcerer and Trial by Jury production photos by Danny Bristoll 

Top picture is our own. All other images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us here, and we will look into the matter.