HMS Pinafore/Cox and Box Set Sail Friday!

Gina Wilhelm Actress - HMS Pinafore/Cox and Box Set Sail Friday!

WHAT: "Cox and Box" and "HMS Pinafore" by Gilbert, Sullivan, and Burnand, performed by the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society
WHERE: Bagley Wright Theater (Seattle Rep) at the Seattle Center, 155 Mercer Street
WHEN: July 9-11, 15-18, and 22-24, 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday.
TICKET PRICE: $35 adult, $31 senior ($33 and $29 on weeknights), and $12 youth.
TO BUY TICKETS: Call 206-341-9612 or 206-292-ARTS or visit pattersong.org.

I am appearing in "HMS Pinafore" with the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society throughout the month of July at the Bagley Wright Theater in Seattle Center. Oddly enough, while I've done many G&S shows, this is my first Pinafore.

"HMS Pinfaore" was the first huge hit for Gilbert & Sullivan, and it's one of their best-known and best-loved plays. With such numbers as "I'm Called Little Buttercup," "We Sail the Ocean Blue," "Sorry Her Lot," "I Am the Captain of the Pinafore," "When I Was a Lad," and "For He Is An Englishman," it's easy to see why.

The show runs with the curtain-raiser "Cox and Box" written by Sullivan before he starting working with that troublemaker Gilbert. The libretto was written by H. C. Burnand. This rarely seen show stars Society favorites Scott Bessho and Richard Hodsdon as the title characters with Craig Cantley as their less-than-honest landlord.

"HMS Pinafore" also features a cast of old favorites and new faces. I play a sister of Sir Joseph Porter. KCB, played by John Brookes. Porter is the delightfully inept First Admiral of the Queen's Navy (although apparently Queen Victoria didn't find the character remotely delightful). Other principals include The Amazing William Darkow as Captain Corcoran, Dave Ross as Dick Deadeye, Angie Barttels as Cousin Hebe, Jenny Shotwell as Josephine, and Wes Aman as the carpenter. Some newer faces include Erin Wise as Little Buttercup, Gene Ma as the Boatswain, and Oliver Donaldson as Ralph Rackstraw. (Our truly fabulous understudies, who will all perform some nights, are Hayley Gaarde as Josephine, Annette Dennis as Buttercup, and Derek Sellers as Ralph).

Both shows have the Society's customary excellent singing, acting, and production values. Pinafore also includes dancers from the ARC School of Ballet.

The show opens July 9 and runs through the 24th. This year we've added Sunday matinees, in addition to the usual Saturday matinees. In addition, every Thursday and Friday night is Family Night, when the audience may stay after final curtain and ask the performers about the show. They are also invited to tour the backstage area.

Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 general ($33 on family night), $31 for seniors ($29 on family nights), and $12 for youth under 25 all nights.

To get tickets, call the ticket office at 206-341-9612 Tuesday through Friday noon to 5:30 p.m., or, at any time you can visit pattersong.org, or call Ticketmaster at 206-292-ARTS.

I hope to see you there!

Gina Wilhelm Actress