The Yeomen
Of The Guard
by W.S. Gilbert
Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan
October 10th - 26th 2025
The Brunish Theatre
Antoinette Hatfield Hall
1111 SW Broadway
Portland, Oregon 97205
Light Opera of Portland (LOoP) is thrilled to announce its much-anticipated 10th anniversary production, a captivating presentation of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Yeomen of the Guard. Set to grace the stage from October the 10th to the 26th, this production promises to be a spectacular celebration of the company's decade-long journey of bringing the beloved works of Gilbert & Sullivan to the Portland community.
The Yeomen of the Guard: A Timeless Tale
The Yeomen of the Guard is one of Gilbert & Sullivan's most acclaimed works, renowned for its compelling blend of drama, romance, and humor. Set in the Tower of London, the operetta weaves a tale of intrigue, love, and mistaken identities. The production will feature a talented cast of local performers, accompanied by a live orchestra, bringing to life the enchanting melodies and witty dialogue that have captivated audiences for generations.
A Production to Remember
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate our 10th anniversary with The Yeomen of the Guard,” says Artistic Director Laurence Cox. “This production is a testament to the passion and dedication of our artists and the support of our community. We look forward to sharing this moving, yet humorous operatic experience with audiences old and new.”
Join the Celebration
Light Opera of Portland invites everyone to join in the celebration of its 10th anniversary. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the world of operetta, this production of The Yeomen of the Guard is sure to delight and inspire. Come and be a part of a memorable evening of music, comedy, and tragedy.
Cast and Crew
Colonel Fairfax (under sentence of death)
Carl Dahlquist
Elsie Maynard (a Strolling Singer)
Lindsey Lefler
Jack Point (a Strolling Jester)
Laurence Cox
Sergeant Meryll (of the Yeomen of the Guard)
Tom Harper
Phoebe Meryll (Sergeant Meryll’s daughter)
Phoebe Gildea
Wilfred Shadbolt (Head Jailer & Assistant Tormenter)
Thomas McAulay
Dame Carruthers (Housekeeper to the Tower)
Sara Rivara
Sir Richard Cholmondely (Lieutenant of the Tower)
Casey Lebold
Leonard Meryll (Sergeant Meryll’s son)
Riven Dederian
First Yeoman
Austin Randall
Second Yeoman
Alex Hemsath (cover: Sergeant Meryll)
Kate (Dame Carruthers’ niece)
Dominique Garrison
CHORUS OF Yeomen Of The Guard
Chase Reinhardt, Francis Upton (cover: Jack Point), John McNeur, Lincoln Thomas (cover: Wilfred Shadbolt), Rawdon Taylor (cover: First Yeoman).
CHORUS OF Citizens
Aurea Taylor, Bryanne Lemieux, Cathrine Huard, Chaz Guinan, Cynthia Trif (cover: Kate), Czar Alvord (cover: Leonard Meryll), Elizabeth Winship (cover: Phoebe Meryll), Gabi Carver, Julian Taylor, Keegan Brown (cover: Elsie Maynard), Leo Decklar, Nan Dahlquist
Director
Laurence Cox
Musical Director
Josh Pounders
Producer
Sara Rivara
Technical Director
Tom Harper
Set Design & Construction Manager
David Ridley
Stage Manager
Ethan McCrann
Assistant Stage Managers
Paige Caverly
Devin Singh
Costume Coordinator
Nan Dahlquist
Costumes
Lindsey Lefler
Lucy Tait
Sandi King
Choreographer
Ireland McNeill
Rehearsal Pianist
Courtney Holmes
SUmmary
The Yeomen of the Guard, or The Merryman and His Maid, opened October 3, 1888, at the Savoy Theatre and ran for 423 performances. It is different from the other Gilbert and Sullivan operas in that it ends with a broken-hearted main character and at least two reluctant engagements, rather than the usual plethora of happy marriages. However, Gilbert finds plenty of opportunity to introduce comedy into his libretto.
Many believe that the score is Sullivan's finest. Indeed, some enjoy Yeomen particularly because of its ever-changing emotional balance of joy and despair, love and sacrifice.
The setting ofYeomenis the Tower of London in the sixteenth century. The plot concerns Colonel Fairfax, a gentleman, soldier and scientist, who has been sentenced to death on a false charge of sorcery. To avoid leaving his estate to his accuser (a cousin), and with the help of the Lieutenant of the Tower, Fairfax secretly marries Elsie Maynard, a strolling singer. The bride agrees to be blindfolded during the ceremony and expects to be a well-paid widow within the hour. With the help of the Meryll family, Fairfax escapes, throwing the Tower into confusion and the astonished Elsie (and her companion, the jester Jack Point, who is in love with her) into despair. But Fairfax, disguised as Leonard Meryll, woos Elsie, and after a number of plot complications are worked out, she falls in love with Fairfax and leaves Jack Point broken-hearted.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Archive