About Ruddigore

Ruddigore, or The Witch’s Curse, originally called Ruddygore, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It is one of the Savoy Operas and the tenth of fourteen comic operas written together by Gilbert and Sullivan. It was first performed by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company at the Savoy Theatre in London on January 22, 1887.

PLOT Synopsis

The professional bridesmaids in the village of Rederring wait despairingly for any of the shy young men of the village to propose to the flower of maidenhood, Rose Maybud. Dame Hannah explains that the Baronets of Ruddigore are under a curse to commit a daily crime or perish in inconceivable agonies. When faced with this inheritance, Ruthven flees and goes into hiding in the village, disguised as Robin, a mild-mannered farmer, and accompanied by his faithful servant Old Adam. His younger brother Despard, believing Ruthven to be dead, is forced to take on the curse. Robin greets his foster brother Richard, a sailor, who agrees to speak to Rose on Robin’s behalf, but upon seeing Rose, feels compelled to obey the dictates of his heart, and propose to her himself. Meanwhile, Mad Margaret, in love with Despard, but driven mad by his rejection, bewails her fate. A group of bucks and blades arrive from London to enjoy the charms of the village maidens. When Despard discovers that his elder brother is NOT dead, he calls Robin out and Robin must take on the curse. A ghostly portrait gallery of ancestors, led by Roderic ensure that the daily crime is committed faithfully.

Video Promo at https://youtu.be/n47L3nOO5_o

Ruddigore Program

Cast

• Robin Oakapple/Ruthven Murgatroyd – Laurence Cox
• Richard Dauntless – Michaël Mohsen
• Sir Despard Murgatroyd – Rob Patrick
• Old Adam – Ron Swingen
• Rose Maybud – Lindsey Lefler
• Mad Margaret – Sheryl Wood
• Dame Hannah – Pat Lach
• Sir Roderic Murgatroyd – Mark Flannery

Bridesmaids and Women’s Chorus

• Zorah – Dominique Lopez
• Jocelyn – Mele Howard
• Agatha – Phyllis Fort
• Ruth – Janelle Reinhardt
• Barbara Berger
• Bryanne Lemieux
• Lynda Patrick Kauffman
• Phyllis Brinkeroff

Men’s Chorus and Ghost Chorus

• Sir Rupert –Carl Dahlquist/Joe Rosenthal
• Sir Jasper – Ron Swingen
• Sir Lionel – John Kost
• Sir Conrad – Jerry “Woody” Woodbury
• Sir Desmond – Dennis Kelly
• Sir Gilbert – Joe Rosenthal
• Sir Mervin – Dennis Britten
• David Smith
• Justin Campbell

Crew

• Director – Dennis Britten
• Musical Director – Dr. Linda Smith
• Rehearsal Stage Manager & Light Technician – Emily Morrow
• Performance Stage Manager – Aaron Morrow/Justin Campbell
• Musical Director – Dr. Linda Smith
• Choregoraphy – Marsha Kelly
• Stage Design – Steve Pitzel
• Stage Crew, Light Design, Graphic Design Set – Tony Smith
• Program and Web Site – Sheryl Wood