140 years ago, Gilbert and Sullivan’s first comic opera Trial by Jury debuted at London’s Royalty Theatre. Almost a century-and-a-half later, we still enjoy the pair’s clever comedy and musical mastery, and their classic works certainly influenced American musical theatre as we know it.
This year, STC celebrates the legacy of Gilbert and Sullivan with The Pirates of Penzance Extravaganza! We will be hosting special events throughout April and May along with our Community Partner, the American River Parkway Foundation. In addition to our Main Series production of The Pirates of Penzance, we hope you will join us at our pirate-themed events!
Music Director Samuel Clein & Executive Producing Director Michael Laun at the Swashbuckling Soiree
The Swashbuckling Soiree
Saturday, April 11, 6 p.m., Main Stage Lobby
Join STC for a night of food, fundraising, and fun. The evening will feature dinner,an exclusive sneak peek of The Pirates of Penzance, and the announcement of STC’s 2015-2016 season.
Community Partner Event:
American River Parkway Foundation Spring Cleanup
Ryan Blanning (Samuel), Michael RJ Campbell (The Pirate King), & Martha Omiyo Kight (Ruth) cleaning up the Parkway.
Saturday, April 11, beginning at 9 a.m., Various Locations along the Parkway
Help The American River Parkway Foundation maintain the 23-mile, 4900-acre expanse of land and water along the American River with the annual spring cleanup event. Please register at arpf.org/clean-ups.
Contact volunteer@arpf.org or 916-486-2773 for further information.
2015 Fundraising Raffle: Vallarta Villa Vacation
Grand Prize Drawings: March 16, April 13, & May 18
Help support The Pirates of Penzance Main Stage production and all the Extravaganza events (several of which are free or low-cost to the community) by entering STC’s 2015 fundraising raffle. The grand prize is one week for up to four guests in Puerto Vallarta at Casa Karma, recently named one of the top 100 boutique hotels in the world, valued at $7,700. Tickets are $10 each. Proceeds of the raffle benefit STC and support its mission to be the leader in integrating professional theatre with theatre arts education. Call 916-446-7501 or visit STC to purchase tickets.
The Pirates of Penzance
Wednesday, April 22 through Sunday, May 17, Main Stage
The Pirates of Penzance, one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular works, makes its debut on STC’s Main Stage. Tickets are $34-$38 and can be purchased by calling 916-443-6722, at tickets.sactheatre.org, or at the STC Box Office.
Pirates Preview for a Pittance
The Winners of the Contest with Costume Designer Jessica Minnihan (right)
Thursday, April 23, 6:30 p.m., Main Stage
Come to the Thursday night preview performance of The Pirates of Penzance in your best pirate garb, and purchase tickets for only $5. A costume contest after the show will be judged by the production’s costume designer, Jessica Minnihan. The first place winner will receive a gift certificate to Evangeline’s in Old Sacramento, with second and third place prizes awarded as well.
Community Partner Event:
American River Parkway Half-Marathon
The Pirates race on the Parkway!
Saturday, May 2, 7 a.m., Starting from William B. Pond Community Park
All proceeds from the marathon benefit the American River Parkway, the nation’s longest, continuous wild and scenic riparian parkway in a major metropolitan area. Visit www.parkwayhalf.com for registration and more information.
The History of Musical Theatre:
from Operetta to the Pop-eretta
Monday, May 4, 6:30 p.m., Main Stage Lobby
Nicole Sterling will give a presentation on the uniquely-American art form of musical theatre from its foundation in British operetta to the Broadway musicals of today. This event is free and open to the public.
About the presenter
Nicole Sterling
Nicole Sterling holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and a Music Theatre Certificate from Northwestern University and a Master’s Degree in Arts Policy and Administration from The Ohio State University. Her Master’s Thesis, “Celebrity & the Broadway Musical: Perceptions, Practices, and Prospects for an American Art Form” followed the evolution of American musical theatre from its beginnings to its current state on Broadway.
Nicole is also a professional Equity actress, having appeared on regional theatre stages across the country, including the world premiere of the Stephen Sondheim/John Weidman musical Bounce at both The Goodman Theatre and The Kennedy Center, under the direction of Harold Prince. Other credits include productions at Denver’s The Arvada Center, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Stages St. Louis, Chicago’s Light Opera Works, and Gallery Players in New York. Nicole has also served as choreographer and/or director on a number of youth productions, benefit concerts, and cabarets at professional theatres across the country.
Nicole Sterling is currently the Development Director at Sacramento Theatre Company and formerly served as the Associate Director of Development of the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah.
Sac State Students Performed Sullivan’s “Cox and Box”
Operetta Night, Featuring Students from the CSUS Opera Program
Sunday, May 10, 6:00 p.m., Cabaret Stage
Join opera students from Sacramento State University and other special guests presenting an evening of operetta music on STC’s Cabaret Stage. Admission is $5. Tickets can be purchased by calling 916-443-6722, at tickets.sactheatre.org, or at the STC Box Office.
