Stage Door News

Toronto: Toronto Operetta Theatre presents G&S’s “The Gondoliers” online March 19-April 5

Friday, March 5, 2021

The Toronto Operetta Theatre embarks on a new era and joins the virtual revolution in the world of music theatre.  On Friday 19 March 2021,Gilbert and Sullivan’s THE GONDOLIERS debuts on a computer screen near you.  The Savoy masters’ last great hit has been captured live on video from the Edward Jackman Studios (TOT Cinema Central) and will be available to watch anytime online until 5 April 2021. This is a bold new venture for TOT and excitement is running high.  To make the event even more special, TOT has entered a partnership with Chabrol Restaurant and Chef Penfold has devised a Venetian-inspired feast that complements your viewing of THE GONDOLIERS.  Tickets for the show and dinner purchased separately. 

Adrenalin is flowing and our cast is thrilled to be ‘onstage’ once again … all are ready for their closeup! The Gondolieri of the title are Tonatiuh Abrego and Bradley Christensen, their Contadini are Daniela Agostino and Stephanie O’Leary.  Elizabeth Beeler takes centre stage as the Duchess of Plaza-Toro, with Gregory Finney as the Duke.  Their daughter Casilda is Karina Bray, Luiz is Joshua Clemenger and the wicked Grand Inquisitor, Don Alhambra del Bolero, is Sean Curran.  Pianist Narmina Afandiyeva, accordionist Matti Pulkki, and cast are conducted by Derek Bate, while the hijinks will be staged by TOT General Director Guillermo Silva-Marin with Myra Malley as Stage Manager.  The videography crew will be under the direction of Ryan Harper.  All rehearsals and videography sessions have been guided by the strictest adherence to health and safety protocols as set out by the Province and Municipality. 

THE GONDOLIERS premiered at the Savoy Theatre in London on 7 December 1889 and ran for 559 performances until 20 June 1891.  It was immensely popular, and Queen Victoria even commanded the D’Oyly Carte company to present the work at Windsor Castle.   The Venetian plot – just who is the King of Barataria? – offered considerable scope for colourful and exciting music, while Gilbert’s libretto gleefully satirizes the emerging enthusiasm for republicanism and egalitarianism. 

The pandemic has put creativity into high gear and TOT has embraced the challenges.  THE GONDOLIERS is our first original ‘virtual’ production, and we are pleased that during the opening weekend, March 19th and 20th only, our patrons and operetta fans can have dinner and a show at home, thanks to our partnership with Chabrol Restaurant.  After you purchase your ticket for online viewing, you will receive a special invitation to order a delicious meal or meals – pickup or delivery – directly from the restaurant.  More details can be found on torontooperetta.com.

Toronto Operetta Theatre is generously supported by the Jackman Foundation, theBedolfe, Dalglish, Mary Margaret Webb and Dianne and Irving Kipnes foundations, the Estates of Helen Allen Stacey and John Henry Williams, the Toronto Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, TOT Friends and supporters who wish to remain anonymous. For tickets and information, visit torontooperetta.com.