First Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta Finally Makes Savoyards’ Stage

Thespis Confronting the Gods Credit: Pittsburgh Savoyards

    Even though the Pittsburgh Savoyards is now in the midst of concluding its 85th season, the troupe of musicians and actors has never staged Thespis, ironically Gilbert and Sullivan’s very first operetta.

    The reason is quite obvious when you learn that the original score has been lost to time, although Gilbert’s libretto remains. Actually, Sullivan never published his score, and what happened to its original is a matter of conjecture, although two explanations outlining its “lost” status are explored in the current production’s playbill by stage director, Robert Hockenberry.

    For the Savoyards’ staging of the work, now underway through May 7 at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center in Pittsburgh’s North Hills, the troupe called on a recreated score by native Pennsylvania, Bruce Montgomery, a composer and former music director at the University of Pennsylvania. After sitting through the latest Savoyards production, I felt the operetta had more dialogue than the usual G&S collaboration and that Montgomery’s attempt to recreate Sullivan’s musical style came up somewhat short.

      You’re probably familiar with the word thespian, but are you aware of its origin? Actually the term is derived from Thespis, a 6th century B.C. poet and actor who’s considered the inventor of tragedy and the first actor to perform in a Greek drama.

    Another interesting historical tidbit is the fact the Thespis is considered to be  a groundbreaking work that led to the new style of operetta G&S went on to perfect in subsequent musical creations.

    Like many of G&S’ 14 comic operettas, Thespis is fanciful, imaginative, whimsical and far-fetched. Some might even say inane. While the operetta is set on Mt. Olympus and focuses of a troupe of Athenian actors, the gods that populate the cast of character come with Roman names. Note: At the reception after the opening evening performance, a member of the troupe remarked that Gilbert definitely knew better but chose to give the gods Roman names anyway.

    Given the subtitle The Gods Grown Old, the play begins with the cream of the Greek deities bemoaning the fact that things are not what they used to be. Sacrifices have ebbed along with the gods’ influence on humankind.

    Jupiter (Corey Nile Wingard) believes the issue has reached a crisis point, Mercury (Andrew Mours) blames the gods for their sloth and ineptitude, Apollo (Joshua Berkey) seems awkward and apprehensive, Diana (Sally Denmead) comes off as drained of spirit and Venus (Michele Gray-Schaffer) is bereft of hope.

    Into the mix of malaise comes an unexpected flock of actors making their way up the mountain to celebrate a wedding between two members of the troupe, Sparkeion (Zhen Yu Ding) and Nicemis (Sarah Nadler).

    Led by Thespis (Logan Daniel Newman), the actors persuade the gods to descend down to the mortal world to learn why their influence has waned. In exchange they will stay atop Mount Olympus and carry out the duties of the gods.

    Needless to say, all sorts of mischief results as the actors enjoy gorging on ambrosia and nectar instead of governing. Timidon (Todd Foose), the replacement for Mars, the god of war, is a pacifist and coward and refuses to make wars. Pluto’s replacement is soft-hearted and, as the god of the underworld refuses to let anyone die. And Bacchus, the god of wine, is a teetotaler and turns grapes into root beer instead of wine.

Thespis and His Troupe of Actors Credit: Pittsburgh Savoyards

    Vocally, the cast have a broad range of talent, bordering on passable to semi-professional. The chorus work is outstanding and gorgeous, and music director and conductor, Guy Russo locks the orchestra in close synch with the singers on stage. The brass and woodwinds sections are especially strong.

    Perhaps the best voice (and thespian skills) belongs to Newman, who has the grit and smarts to lead his ragtag band of actors. The production’s greatest challenge, however, falls on the shoulders of Mours, who’s required to carry off the patter song ”Olympus Is Now in a Terrible Muddle.” The evening of my performance, he delivered the song too far back from the front of the stage and sounded a tad muted. Mours did display considerable comedic talent throughout the show, especially in his witty exchange of words with Newman in the second act.

    When the gods return home after their agreed-upon year-long Sabbatical, they resume their accustomed status and rank and punish their confederate replacements for the malfeasance of duty by sending them back below cursed as "eminent tragedians, whom no one ever goes to see.”

The Gods Dismayed by Their Diminished Status Credit: Pittsburgh Savoyards

    The production includes some colorful, glamorous costumes fit for the gods, thanks to costumer, Megan Kelly, and a wonderful set reminiscent of ancient Greece by scenic designer, Robert Hockenberry, with construction assistance from Matt Lisiak.

    With Thespis, not only do patrons get to see a rarely produced G&S opus, but also a light and entertaining adventure, full of camp and frothy frivolity.

    Thespis or: The Gods Grown Old, is at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center, 3579 Masonic Way in Pittsburgh (Ross Township) through May 7. For tickets to the live or live stream production and more information, go to www.pittsburghsavoyards.org.