Our Distinguished Cast

 

SUZANNE AMARAL (Vittoria) a senior at O.H. Platt High School in Meriden plans to attend Central Connecticut State University for voice as a music education major. This is her first production with SLOCO, having performed with the Connecticut Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s Iolanthe. Suzie is a member of the Greater Meriden Community Chorus, Turner’s German Singing Society, and the St. Francis of Assisi Church Choir. She has been a guest soloist with Edelweiss and The Greater Hartford Opera Ensemble. Suzie would like to thank Julie Church for making her rides bearable and especially Nancy Stewart for being loving, supportive, encouraging, and for always being there.

 

T.J. BOURNE (Luiz) appeared as Major-General Stanley in SLOCO’s 2006 production Pirates of Penzance. He completed a B.A. in Music and an M.M. in Music Performance as a flutist at Butler University. T.J. played in the Butler Symphony Orchestra, New Millennium Philharmonic Orchestra, and performed as a guest artist for the 2001 International String Bass Convention. While at Butler he made his opera debut as Pish-Tush in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado at the American Cabaret Theatre. Now a graduate student at the University of Connecticut, Thaddaeus is pursuing a DMA in Vocal Performance under the direction of Dr. Constance Rock. Since coming to New England he has performed as Don Villotto in Haydn’s La Vera Costanza, the title roles in Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas, Papageno in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Pluton in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld all with UConn Opera; Performances this season include Mr. Angel in Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirecktor for both Worcester Opera Works and Hartford Opera Theatre, Peter (the father) in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel with Connecticut Lyric Opera, the Wolf and Woodsman in Barab’s Little Red Riding Hood and Ben in Menotti’s Telephone for UConn Opera as well as his directorial debut with UConn Opera Workshop’s performance of Dido & Aenas.

ALLAN CHURCH (Duke of Plaza-Toro) adds this part to a long and varied list of singing and acting credits. This performance marks his SLOCO debut. He is delighted to be here and has been active in G&S for nearly two decades, most recently appearing as Lord Chancellor in the 2007 production of Iolanthe with the Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan Society (of which he has been president for several years). Last summer Allan performed the role of Major-General Stanley in UConn's Community School of the Arts’ Pirates of Penzance. In both shows, he had the happiness of sharing the stage, as he does again in Gondoliers, with his daughter Julie. He also performed in several outdoor Shakespearean roles with ArtFarms, Elm Shakespeare, along with dramas at the Ivoryton Playhouse and Actor’s Ensemble of Branford. Off stage Mr. Church has been Editorial Page Editor of the Record-Journal newspaper in Meriden since 1977.

 

JULIE CHURCH (Fiametta & Giulia) has been singing Gilbert and Sullivan since she was five-years old.  She recently appeared as Isabel in The Pirates of Penzance with UConn's Community School of the Arts, as Leila in Iolanthe with the Connecticut Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and as Peep-Bo in last year's SLOCO production of The Mikado.  Julie is a senior English major at Southern Connecticut State University, where she edits the literary magazine, works in the Financial Aid Office, and tries to keep up with her homework.

 

 

 

JOHN CRAFT (Marco) has been bit by the G&S "bug" since joining SLOCO for the 2002 performance of Iolanthe. With SLOCO, he has performed the roles of Nanki-Poo, Frederic, Lord Tolloller, Alexis, Edwin, Ralph Rackstraw, and originated the role of Durwood Lely in the 2005 production of Sullivan and Gilbert a la Carte. He has also sung with other G&S companies where he has performed Grosvenor, Luiz, and Nanki-Poo. Recently he appeared in the role of Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte with the River Valley Opera. John is a graduate of UConn where he studied with Dr. Donald A. Pyle. He is currently director of music and drama at the Rumsey Hall School, and in his spare time he is the soloist for Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Waterbury and St. Mary’s Church in Clinton. John is currently a member of the SLOCO Board.

 

 

ROSALIND CRAFT (Gianetta) is thrilled to be making her SLOCO debut. A graduate of UConn, with a Masters degree in Music Performance, Rosalind is currently working on her dissertation for her D.M.A. A student of Dr. Constance Rock, she has performed various roles with UConn Opera such as The Queen of the Night from Die Zauberflöte, and The Countess from Le Nozze di Figaro. Her G&S credits include the roles of Casilda and Iolanthe with the UConn Community School of the Arts. Last year Rosalind directed her first Gilbert and Sullivan show - The Pirates of Penzance, and this summer she will be directing The Mikado with the UConn Community School of the Arts. Currently, she is the music teacher for grades K-5 at the Rumsey Hall School. She is cantor at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Waterbury and St. John the Evangelist in Watertown. Rosalind would like to thank all of the SLOCO family for making her feel welcome. She feels blessed to be performing with her husband John.

 

JONATHAN JACOBSON (Giuseppe Palmieri) makes his SLOCO debut having recently moved back to his home state of Connecticut. He has many years of G&S experience, primarily with the Blue Hill Troupe in New York City, where his roles included Bunthorne in Patience, Sir Joseph in Pinafore, Robin in Ruddigore, Mountararat in Iolanthe, Dr. Daly in Sorcerer, and Florian in Princess Ida. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Yale School of Management, he performed with the Penn Glee Club and the Yale Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Favorite non-G&S roles include both J.B. Biggley and Bud Frump in How to Succeed in Business, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Applegate in Damn Yankees, and Sir in The Roar of the Greasepaint. He most recently appeared as Sir Evelyn in Anything Goes at the Thomaston Opera House. Jonathan received the "Best Male Performer" award at the 2005 International G&S Festival in Buxton, England, for his portrayal of Ludwig in The Grand Duke.

 

GEORGE LOUIS (Giorgio) celebrates his 25^th anniversary with SLOCO having played Giorgio in 1995. His previous SLOCO performances include: Sergeant Meryll in Yeomen of the Guard, Sergeant of Police in Pirates of Penzance, Pritchitch in The Merry Widow, Old Adam Goodheart in Ruddigore, The Notary in The Sorcerer, the Usher in Trial by Jury, Bob Becket in H.M.S. Pinafore and as The Mikado. George is a past SLOCO Board member, Co-chair of Memorabilia with his good wife, Barbara, and also enjoys painting the set.

 

 

 

MARJORIE HUTENSKY (Inez) began humming G&S tunes back in her grammar school days. Since that time she has been involved with numerous singing groups including Bristol Musical Theater and G&S of Manchester (where she received her "one minute of stardom" as Inez in their production of Gondoliers). Her SLOCO chorus repertoire includes: Yeomen of the Guard, Iolanthe, Ruddigore, and Trial by Jury, Pirates of Penzance, Mikado, Sullivan and Gilbert a la Carte. Marjorie’s main singing experience over the past 20 years has been Cantor for Temple Beth Hilled in South Windsor.

 

 

 

ELISE MELTZER (Tessa) is a native of Simsbury. This is her first SLOCO performance as well as her first Gilbert and Sullivan production. She graduated from Simsbury High School in 2002 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in vocal performance from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Her credits include the role of Mum in Albert Herring, Second Spirit in The Magic Flute, and other various roles in L'Italiana in Algeri, Suor Angelica, A Chorus Line, and Merrily We Roll Along. She also sang as part of the chorus in Connecticut Opera's recent production of Tosca. Elsie is currently studying with Constance Rock at the University of Connecticut. She is thrilled to be taking part in such a wonderful show.

 

 

ART RIIHIMAKI (Francesco) is enjoying his 8^th SLOCO production and is currently an active member on our board. Art also sings with the Chancel Choir of Westminster Presbyterian Church, West Hartford. When not vocalizing, he may be seen riding his bicycle on the roads of Connecticut as he prepares to ride 100 miles around Lake Tahoe. He is doing this as a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training to raise money to find a cure for blood cancers.

 

 

 

NANCY STEWART (Casilda) "is delighted to be back singing with SLOCO" having sung her first role as Mabel in Pirates of Penzance in 1989. Since then she has been a soloist in almost every state in the USA as well as in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. She was featured soloist with the Connecticut Grand Opera’s tribute to Metropolitan Opera’s Patrice Munsel, has sung at Lincoln Center in New York City and as a soloist with several Connecticut Symphony Orchestras. Locally, Ms. Stewart has performed with Schubert Opera, Connecticut Opera Theater, Connecticut Grand Opera, Bel Canto Opera, New Britain Opera, Connecticut Connection Opera, Connecticut Gilbert and Sullivan Opera and the Greater Hartford Opera Ensemble. She is the artistic director of the Greater Meriden Community Chorus, the Greater Hartford Opera Ensemble the turner German Singing Society of Meriden and the Edelweiss Chorus of West Haven. Nancy is a faculty member of Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, Director of Music at Saint Francis of Assisi in Naugatuck and teaches voice at her private studio in Meriden. Ms Stewart serves as soloist and pianist for the American Magic Lantern Theater Company recreating picture shows of the Victorian period. Nancy coaches with Josh Greene at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. "I am delighted to be back singing with SLOCO once again!"

DICK VAUGHAN (Antonio) is celebrating his sixteenth year with SLOCO and his second attempt at bringing Antonio (one the merriest fellows), to life. Previously he has appeared as Scynthius in Princess Ida, the Foreman of the Jury in Trial by Jury, Antonio in The Gondoliers, Raoul St. Brioche in The Merry Widow, Lord Cholmondely in The Yeomen of the Guard, Louis Lippman in Of Thee I Sing, Bob Becket, Carpenter’s Mate, in Pinafore and Fred Sullivan in Sullivan and Gilbert a la Carte. Dick was born, raised and educated in South Wales. He began singing in local Eisteddfodau at the age of 16--some say before the days of radio. As with most SLOCO members, Dick has had diverse singing experiences, including performances with the Pittsburgh Bach Choir, the SLOCO Choristers, and the Litchfield Choral Society. He is a past president of this august organization.

 

FRAN WALL (The Duchess of Plaza-Toro) a mezzo-soprano from Burlington, studied with Wesley Howard, Lynn Strow and Stuart Gillespie. Last year Fran was seen as Katisha in SLOCO’s Mikado; other roles included Fleta in Iolanthe and Nellie Farren in the 60^th anniversary production of Sullivan & Gilbert, a la carte.  A past board member, Fran has served as Production Assistant/Stage Manager, co-chair of Props and Director of SLOCO's Choristers. She is a member of The River Valley Opera Company, and The Greater Hartford Opera Ensemble.  She has been the guest soloist for the Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Meriden Community Chorus, the Litchfield County Children's Choir, the Westover School, the Farmington Valley Band, the Plainville Wind Ensemble and the Naugatuck Valley Choral Society. An experienced choral director and voice teacher, Fran is currently the soprano soloist at Memorial UMC in Avon and has directed area elementary school musicals. She is the proud mother of five and thanks her husband, Mark, for all his love and support.

 

LAURIE WEISSBROT (Don Alhambra) returns to the SLOCO stage after a 20-year hiatus.  With SLOCO he had previously been an understudy and chorus member in Utopia Ltd, Trial by Jury, HMS Pinafore, Iolanthe and Yeomen of the Guard. Laurie then moved on to other G&S companies where he played the roles of Grosvenor, Tipseon, Bill Bobstay, the Pirate King, Antonio, the Usher, Pish-Tush, Sir Marmaduke, Wilfred Shadbolt, Dick Deadeye, Roderic, Arac, the Sergeant of Police, Don Alhambra and The Mikado.  A member of SavoyNet (an internet G&S community), he has twice been to the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton, UK, where he took part in three productions.  In real life, Laurie is an actuary for Northeast Delta Dental in Concord, New Hampshire, and resides in Glastonbury with his wife Kathy.