Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Past Productions
40th Anniversary Topsy-Turvy Show
→ Sunday, April 19, 2015
The 40th Anniversary Topsy-Turvy Show on April 19th brought back several former leading cast members and introduced some new artists for two performances. Along with the Gilvan Singers and alumni, they showcased the G&S canon for society members and the public. Returning artists included Wayne Berwick, Alison Watson Moodie, Nancy Hiebert, Judith Bean, Barbara Brown, Alison Enns, Jason Hales, Dan Lenz, Paul Nowak, Tom Goerz, Brian Otto, Brian Black, Amanda Kind, Caroline Dery and Rachel Cleland. Many more sang with the Gilvan Singers/Alumni choir.
The Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan
→ Sunday, October 26, 2014
A year of celebrations was launched on October 26th, 2014 at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge with two performances of The Magic of Gilbert and Sullivan in partnership with Drayton Entertainment and the Cambridge Symphony under the baton of conductor Sabatino Vacca. It was a hit parade of classics from popular G&S operettas, with a star-studded line-up of singers and comediennes including Keith Savage, June Crowley, Karen K. Edissi, Christopher Wilson, Brian Belleth and Drayton Entertainment Artistic Director, Alex Mustakas. The G&S Alumni Singers from the Waterloo G&S Society provided the chorus. The combined talents of these musical enterprises resonated with an audience of over a thousand people.
Solo Competition: So You Think You Can Sing G&S
→ Saturday, October 26, 2013
It was a REALITY SHOW right here in Kitchener-Waterloo, a music competition for two categories — Youth and Adult, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes of $300, $200 and $100 respectively for each group. Singers could register by emailing gswaterloo@gmail.com or download the forms. The Society gave G&S fans and folks in and around Waterloo Region a unique experience at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. Audience members could cheer on their favourite "star".
Click to see larger image
The Magic of Christmas
→ Sunday, November 27th, 2011
The Magic of Christmas was an eclectic mix of popular and sacred music with a dash of comedy. This was the 20th season for the Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble. The featured guests for this festive event were The Evergreen Ensemble and the father/son duo of Gerry and Rob Grundy, "Two in Tune".
Production Team: D.Kuehl and D. Naish
Directors: Rebecca Booker and Rachel Pantaleo
Princess Ida (Or, Castle Adamant)
"Isn't your life extremely flat with nothing whatever to grumble at!"
—Act III, Princess Ida
Princess Ida is a comic operetta from the celebrated team of Sir Arthur Sullivan (Music) and Sir W.S. Gilbert (Libretto). See poster.
The production was fully staged and costumed, with a 20 Piece Orchestra for 5 performances—May 19th to 21st, 2011 at the Humanities Theatre, University of Waterloo. See review by François Labbé.
Directed by Laura Schatz, award-winning Stage Director for Toronto's St. Anne's Music & Drama Society.
Music direction by Debra Lacoste, Ph.D. (Music—W.L.U.) & Martin Lacoste (Head of Music—Bluevale C.I.)
THE STORY: Prince Hilarion had been married in babyhood to Princess Ida, daughter of King Gama. The Princess, however, has set up a college for women from which all men are barred. Hilarion and his friends infiltrate the castle and ultimately the men, led by Hilarion's father, King Hildebrand, stage a full-scale invasion. Check the Gilbert & Sullivan Archive to learn more.
The Weather Report
Come Rain or Come Shine we'll be Singing In the Rain
→ Friday, April 1st, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
This climatological centrepiece, themed as a live audience radio broadcast, showcased the Waterloo Regional G&S Ensemble at the Great Hall, Luther Village on the Park.
Production Team: D.Kuehl and D. Naish
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanists: Katrina Lowe and Heather Morris
Sing the Joys of Christmas!
Click to see larger image
→ Sunday, November 28th 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
A wonderful Christmas Concert presented by the Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble. Soprano Judith Bean was the featured guest.
The ingredients included some beautiful new music, classic favorites—both sacred and popular, and a dash or two (or more) of comedy. The program showcased the full ensemble as well as trios, quartets, and small group performances.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanists: Katrina Lowe & Rebecca Booker
Masonic Symbols in Gilbert & Sullivan
→ Tuesday, October 26th at 7:30 p.m.
The Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society hosted Raymond S. J. Daniels at the St. Jacob's Country Playhouse. Ray spoke on the Masonic Symbols in Gilbert & Sullivan.
The Story of Love
→ Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble's Spring Show at Luther Village on the Park brought together food, music, and song depicting both the serious and fun aspects of love in all its glory.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rachel Pallant
Switched at Birth
Switched at Birth, at The Registry Theatre on February 24th to 27th 2010, was a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and all things Gilbert & Sullivan.
Congratulations to President, Frank Parks, for penning, performing, and producing a show that witnesses the backstage and onstage hi-jinx that go into getting a show from the page to the stage. See poster.
He "took on the central role of Father Philip Daniels, who lovingly shepherds the colourful personalities that make up the Streatham–Leads Operatic Guild (SLOG) to a successful opening night."
"The result was a funny, delightful production that contained many clever lines and situations that could be immediately recognized by anyone who has ever been involved with community theatre."
Sing We Now of Christmas!
→ Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
The annual Christmas show, held at Faith Evangelical Missionary Church in Kitchener, featured the premiere of "A G&S Christmas in Waterloo County"—a comedic skit that twisted and turned the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Click to see larger image
Click to see larger image
The program was a broad mix of wonderful songs—sacred and popular—well-loved tunes from the past and bright new ones just waiting to become a favourite Christmas carol. Tenor Wayne Berwick was a special guest. See poster.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rachel Pallant
Just for You II: An Autumn Afternoon with the Artists
Rachel and Colin
The Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society presented an afternoon concert featuring Colin Ainsworth and Rachel Cleland-Ainsworth on Sunday, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. at The Great Hall, Luther Village in Waterloo. This vibrant Canadian tenor-soprano duo performed Opera, Operetta, and Broadway. See poster.
Coffee House Cabaret
→ Saturday, May 2, 2009, ~6:30 p.m.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble presented an evening of folk tunes from the 60's & 70's at the fireplace room at the 404 Wing Rotary Adult Centre, 510 Dutton Dr., Waterloo. See poster.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rebecca Booker
Christmas Tapestry
→ Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
→ Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
The Annual Christmas Show of the Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble was presented in two venues in 2008: the Waterloo North Mennonite Church and the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Featuring full ensemble and small group performances, the show included sacred and popular songs for the holiday season, an audience sing-along, and the traditional cider and desserts at intermission. See the poster for full details.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rebecca Booker
Anniversary Performance
→ Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble performed at the 175th anniversary celebrations of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Kitchener.
Director & Accompanist: Rebecca Booker.
A Spring Dinner Show
→ Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble presented Richard Rodgers & Friends at the 404 Wing Rotary Adult Centre in Waterloo. See poster.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rebecca Booker
Topsy-Turvy
The Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society presented a free screening of Mike Leigh's Academy® Award-winning film, Topsy-Turvy, on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
It's Time for Carolling
The Annual Christmas Show of the Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble.
→ Sunday, December 9, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Featured choral selections and small group performances, including seasonal favourites (both sacred and popular), an audience sing-along, and our traditional cider and desserts.
Director: Annetta Whetham
Accompanist: Rebecca Booker
The Waterloo North Mennonite Church
100 Benjamin Road East, Waterloo, Ontario
An Autumn Celebration
→ Friday, October 19, 2007.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Ensemble performed a fund-raising concert for the historic Norfolk Street United Church in downtown Guelph.
The Ensemble presented an eclectic mix of Gilbert & Sullivan, popular songs, old chestnuts, broadway tunes, classics, and songs with heart and soul.
Members of the group were featured in solos, duets, trios, and small groups in addition to full choral numbers.
Just for You: A September Afternoon with the Artists
Emily Hamper, Accompanist
Colin Ainsworth, Tenor
Rachel Cleland-Ainsworth, Soprano
→ Sunday, September 30, 2007
The Waterloo Regional G&S Society presented Colin Ainsworth and Rachel Cleland-Ainsworth in concert at The Great Hall, Luther Village, 139 Father David Bauer Dr., Waterloo.
They were accompanied by Emily Hamper, an alumna of the prestigious Merola Opera Program of the San Francisco Opera.
© 2012. Waterloo Regional Gilbert & Sullivan Society.