The Sudbury Savoyards present Gilbert and Sullivan's "Trial by Jury" and "HMS Pinafore"

Two shows for the price of one! The Sudbury Savoyards are pleased to present for their 50th Anniversary a double-bill production of Trial by Jury, directed by Joe Stallone of Arlington, and HMS Pinafore, directed by Kathy Lague of Sudbury, with Music Direction by Steve Malionek of Salem.

Trial by Jury was first produced in London in 1875 and is the oldest, and shortes, of the surviving comic operas.  The Sudbury Savoyards first staged Trial by Jury in 1961 as a way to raise funds to build the Sudbury United Methodist Church.  This one-act piece reveals Victorian social hypocrisy while highlighting the ridiculous as well as the raucous, all with great music.  As one cast member puts it: "A G&S version of Jerry Springer, but with nicer langquage"!

HMS Pinafore was originally presented in 1879 and is one of Gilbert and Sullivan's full-length operettas.  The story reveals 19th century English class conflicts and complicit snobbery when one person loves another "below his station" as the character of Buttercup sings "Things are seldom what they seem".  With a cast of 56, the Savoyards have quite a crew of "strong and sober sailors" and actually can "reckon up the cousins by the dozens"!

The Sudbury Savoyards, known for presenting Gilbert and Sullivan "On a Grand Scale" , is an all-volunteer organization, still sponsored by the Sudbury United Methodist Church, and donates all of its net proceeds to the Relief of World Hunger.  Thanks to audiences and patrons since the late 1970's, over $185,000 has been donated by the Savoyards to this worthy cause, with the hope of reaching the goal of $200K during this 50th anniversary year.

The public is invited to attend the Open Dress Rehearsal on Thursday, February 24 at 8:00 pm.  Performances then take place on Friday, February 25 and Saturday, February 26 at 8:00 pm, and a Matinee  on Sunday February 27 at 3:00 pm.  Final performances will take place on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 at 8:00 pm, and a Matinee on Saturday, March 12 at 2:00 pm.