Sarah Anne Hughes & David Ramón Zayas
Events at Gamut Theatre often, well, run the gamut—from Popcorn Hat children’s shows to improv performances to Shakespeare (both indoors and at Reservoir Park) to original works to staged readings to Young Acting Company performances of classic stories.
And while there is often music as part of these events, rarely does the music take center stage. That’s about to (key) change from a minor background hum to a modern major musical production.
This fall, Gamut’s new core company member and trained opera singer, Benjamin Krumreig, is turning up the volume with “Innocent Merriment; Or, An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan!” With songs and dialogue from 11 of the 14 operettas composed by the famous duo, “Innocent Merriment” is set to entrance, entertain, engage and enrapture theatergoers of all ages.
“I think audiences will be pleasantly surprised at just how familiar much of the music is,” offers Krumreig.
It’s true—Gilbert and Sullivan tunes and lyrics show up in the most unexpected places, from advertisements to movie soundtracks to “The Simpsons.” Every time someone hums, “Hail, hail! The gang’s all here,” or points out that they have “information animal, vegetable and mineral,” they’re testifying to the enduring impact of this Victorian duo. And that’s in addition to Gilbert and Sullivan’s profound influence on musical theater. Whereas opera is an entirely sung performance, operetta intersperses songs and spoken dialogue, which makes the modern musical a direct descendent of light opera.
When Krumreig first conceived of this project, his vision was for a revue—perhaps two weekends, a few singers, no costumes.
“Originally, I proposed a relatively small show, a gentle way to let actors and audiences alike dip a toe into the Gilbert and Sullivan waters,” Krumreig said, with a knowing grin.
However, as plans for Gamut’s 2022–23 season evolved, so grew the concept for “Innocent Merriment” until it became what is currently in the works: 14 singers, a four-weekend run, full costumes and a lot of very careful rehearsal.
“What mattered to me most going into this project was that the music was done well,” Krumreig explained.
Most of the participants are actors first, singers second. So, to ensure that everyone felt comfortable and confident, Krumreig devoted the first month of the rehearsal period to one-on-one voice training. Only now is he trading his vocal coaching hat for his director’s cap, though he’s got several more jobs to tackle before opening night. That’s because he didn’t just conceive of “Innocent Merriment”—he chose the songs, trimmed the dialogue, and wove those together into a seamless whole. He’s also the director, musical director and choreographer, as well as one of the 14 singers.
Despite juggling all those roles, Krumreig seems filled with energy and excitement.
“We’re creating a show anyone will enjoy, no matter how old, no matter how little or much they know about Gilbert and Sullivan,” he said. “The world is a little taxing right now. That makes this a perfect moment to offer people a bit of lighthearted joy—some innocent merriment.”
With a mischievous gleam in his eye, Krumreig then added, “there’s a rumor that Queen Victoria herself will be putting in an appearance. She was, after all, a huge Gilbert and Sullivan fan.”
In case you’re curious, the words “innocent merriment” come from “The Mikado,” but Krumreig’s favorite bit of Gilbertian wit is “airy persiflage” (also from “The Mikado”), a phrase that roughly translates to “cheerful, witty banter” (which would make “Airy Persiflage” an equally accurate, though more baffling, title for this show).
Something else fun? The two-part title for Gamut’s production is a direct homage to Gilbert and Sullivan’s titles, which also typically came in pairs—for example, “HMS Pinafore; or The Lass That Loved a Sailor” and “The Gondoliers; or, The King of Barataria.”
“Innocent Merriment; or, A Night of Gilbert & Sullivan!” might not, at first glance, seem like a typical Gamut Theatre offering. But, in fact, it’s right at home with a company that has long celebrated classic stories and enduring art. Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas explore timeless, universal themes—of love conquering all, of the tension between desire and duty, of the triumph of good over the banality of evil—and they do so with clever lyrics set to engaging tunes.
So, as autumn days grow shorter, what a joy that Harrisburg audiences will have some light (opera) to look forward to at Gamut Theatre’s production of “Innocent Merriment.”
“Innocent Merriment; or, A Night of Gilbert & Sullivan!” runs Nov. 5 to 27 at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information and tickets, visit www.gamuttheatre.org or call 717-238-4111.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL DOWNTOWN THEATERS
At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111
“Innocent Merriment; or, An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan”
Nov. 5 to 27
TMI Improv
Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
At Open Stage
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736
EFF Live!
Erotic fan fiction readings
Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Black NewsBeat with Dr. Kimeka Campbell
Join us in the live studio audience
Nov 9 at 7:30 p.m.
“Who’s Holiday!”
Cindy Lou is back in this comedic parody
Nov. 26 to Dec. 22
“A Christmas Carol”
Scrooge’s ghostly holiday adventure returns
Dec. 3 to 23
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