Submitted photo
Theater at Monmouth opens A Celebration of Gilbert & Sullivan featuring “Cox & Box” as their fall show with remaining showtimes at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24. Then, after the interval, journey through Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical catalogue with an Original Revue written by Adam P. Blais, including songs from your favorite operas such as “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Patience,” “Ruddigore,” “H.M.S. Pinafore,” and more; and an original medley of songs arranged by John Neal.
“Cox and Box” is composed by Arthur Sullivan and written by F.C. Burnand and tells the hilarious tale of two men who unknowingly rent the same room (one by day, the other by night), the landlady who rents it to them, and what happens when one of them unexpectedly gets the day off from work.
Though originally from England, there are strong ties between Gilbert & Sullivan and Monmouth with Cumston Hall having been the summer performance home of the American Savoyards from 1953 to 1958. As Director Adam P. Blais points out, “They returned to Monmouth each summer performing a different Gilbert & Sullivan show each week (six evenings, two matinees, and no Sunday performances) for ten consecutive weeks.” In his research preparing for the show, Blais also discovered that “It is believed that “The Grand Duke” made its North American professional debut in Cumston Hall.”
A Celebration of Gilbert & Sullivan featuring Cox & Box features Patrick Brady as Box/Man 2, Quinn Corcoran as Cox/Man 1, and Michelle Seipel as Mrs. Bouncer/Soprano. Directed by Adam P. Blais and Music Direction by John Neal, Set Design by Rew Tippin, Costume Design by Michelle Handley, Lighting Design by Jim Alexander, with Stage Management by Meg Lydon, Lighting and Production Assistance by Erin Fauble.
Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for senior citizens, and $25 for students (18 and under). Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For patrons under 30, $10 Rush Tickets are available for up to 20 audience members at each performance in the season (excluding the Family Show and Special Events). Contact the Box Office by email boxoffice@theateratmonmouth.org or by calling 207-933-9999 after 10 a.m. on the day of the show. Requests made before the Box Office is open will not be processed.
Theater at Monmouth, founded in 1970, was named the Shakespearean Theater of Maine by the State Legislature in 1975. The theatre’s mission is to present innovative approaches to Shakespeare and other classic plays through professional productions that enrich the lives of people throughout Maine. Since its founding, TAM has produced expertly crafted, engaging productions in its three-month Summer Repertory Season entertaining audiences from 36 states and through Education Tours annually reaching more than 15,000 students statewide. For more information, visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
