By Kathryn Olsen
There are perfect ways to kick off pre-Halloween festivities and The Motley Wandering Minstrels are currently proving that with staged concerts of W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan‘s Ruddigore at Salt Lake City‘s Sorensen Unity Center and Holladay City Hall. This 1887 comic opera is known as much for its unconventional plot as its lovely music. I, myself, had only seen it once in person, so I easily talked my Mikado-quoting mother into coming with me and prepared for a night of ghost stories and giggling.
Robin Oakapple (Tony Porter) is a farmer with two secrets: he is madly in love with Rose (Jessica Benson) and his name is not Robin. Rose is the fairest maiden in the village and, as the Chorus of Professional Bridesmaids informs the audience, refuses to marry shy suitors. Robin’s foster brother, Dick Dauntless (Anthony Buck) arrives after ten years at sea and vows to help Robin marry Rose. Upon meeting her, he proposes marriage on his own behalf and Robin resorts to making his foster brother look like a fool to win Rose back. Dick then selfishly informs the villainous Baronet Despard Murgatroyd (Stephen Williams) that his older brother is not dead and he’s no longer the subject of a family curse. Despard, who has been doomed to commit one crime daily, rushes off to inform Rose that Robin is actually Ruthven Murgatroyd, the Bad Baronet of Ruddigore. The rest of the play finds Ruthven trying to live a virtuously villainous life while looking for loopholes that won’t get him killed.
Porter is as fine a hapless romantic lead as the composers could have hoped for. He approaches the role with great cunning and strong vocals as well as a droll delivery of the melodramatic dialogue that runs throughout the entire show. One of his finest moments is at the conclusion of the first act, when the rest of the cast flounces off to their happily-ever-afters and he is left with what is best described as an existential glower.
Benson’s sweet and stalwart Rose is even more captivating. She makes all decisions based on a book of etiquette and is forever trying to improve society by handing out apples or peppermints. Her voice is certainly the most memorable, trilling high and intimating truths to the audience in lower tones.
Buck as Dick Dauntless is equal parts egotist and fop, whether flattering women in nautical terms or glad-handing audience members who must be thrilled to meet him. The script makes frequent allusions to his inner voice, which he delivers in an ear-splitting and comically unforgettable falsetto. He also introduces a few moments that, while making him less lovable to the rest of his fellows, perfectly set up the ending.
Mad Margaret, the woman driven to insanity by her love for the current Bad Baronet, is played in a wonderful set of contrasts by Jennie Johnson. In Act I, she is given to bursts of maniacal laughter or outright shrieking, while the second act finds her happily married to Despard and valiantly trying to be a productive member of society who occasionally has to scream a code word to bring herself back to a normal state.
Dame Hannah (Mary Sorensen) is a charming materteral addition to the cast, taking not only niece Rose, but the unemployed bridesmaids under her wing. She is later dragooned as a damsel in distress who will not stand for such nonsense and this domineering characterization is brief, but delightful.
Without a doubt, the most striking performance is that given by Sara Mcfarland as Sir Roderick Murgatroyd, the painting of the previous baronet. There are a few good-natured and ironic comments about this gender-swapping added to the traditional text, but she is as much a star for her show-stopping “When the Night Wind Howls” as her tender duet with former love interest Dame Hannah.
Old Adam (Erik Nielsen) is Ruthven’s loyal servant in both acts and his transformation is both understated and charming. He is the Bad Baronet’s hapless henchman, but also goes mildly back to straightening the chairs and music stands between dastardly plots.
The chorus members play various roles, from the bridesmaids to disappointed suitors to ghostly ancestors. Standout performances include Amy Banta as First Bridesmaid Zorah, who flirts her way to a background happy ending and occasionally darts off-stage to play in the pit orchestra; Celeste Reese, who is a natural coquette as well as an axe-wielding maniac; and Maura Hahnenberger, who is responsible for breaking into an appropriate dance solo whenever the occasion warrants it.
Under the skilled direction of Beth Bruner, this concert-style production has much more personality than a standard choral performance. Choreographer Kara Black enables occasional hornpipes and court dances, but also has a hand in such things as territorial behavior regarding music stands and power plays being expressed in seating arrangements. David Bruner uses his lighting design to establish moods and locations to great effect. Music Direction by Donna K.W. Johnson ensures that the blended voices of the chorus and principal players are harmonious and infused with humor while pianist Kary Billings and Flute/Wind Synth soloist Jacob Bruner impressively play the parts meant for a full orchestra.
This is a limited run, so don’t wait for the ghost’s high noon to fall in love with this spooky operetta. It is appropriate for all ages and all states of vitality.
The Motley Wandering Minstrels Present Ruddigore, Book by W.S. Gilbert, Music by Sir Arthur Sullivan.
The Sorensen Unity Center, 1383 S 900 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84104.
Sep 26-28, 2019, 7:00 PM
Holladay City Hall, 4580 S 2300 E, Holladay, UT 84117.
Oct 3, 2019, 7:00 PM
Tickets: Free admission
Contact: (801) 953-3250
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