Gilbert & Sullivan's
Princess Ida
(or, Castle Adamant)

June 9, 10, 16, 17, 2006 at 8 pm
June 11 & 18, 2006 at 2 pm

Directed by Ali Oliver
Music Directed by Joseph Sorge

Cast

King Hildebrand - Michael Galizia
Hilarion, his son - Peter Krueger
Cyril - Clyde Wright
Florian - Ryan Power
King Gama - Peter Kline
Arac - Blair Eig
Guron - Don Mitchell
Scynthius - Tom Goode
Princess Ida - Sarah Minckler
Lady Blanche - Karen Fleming
Lady Psyche - Daniele Lorio
Melissa - Patricia Portillo
Sacharissa - Deborah Jacobson
Chloe - Cara Salvatore
Ada - Gaye Freese

Ensemble - Jaime Atteniese, Ed Byrdy, Rick Dupuy, Fran Fleming, Wanda Flinn, Annie Gribben, Lucy Hellerman, Rand Huntzinger, Sarah
Huntzinger, Ralph Johnson, Frank Kesterman, Marianna Martindale, Carlton Maryott, Jane Maryott, Sherry Mitchell, Amy Rauch

Supernumeraries - Grace Emily Brigham, Kenny Maryott

Orchestra

Violin 1 - Steve Natrella (CM), Bonnie Barrows, Carolyn Larson, Irv Berner
Violin 2 -Martin Brown, Edwin Schneider, Andrew Nixon
Viola - Amanda Laudwein, Victor Ontiveros
Cello - Andrew Schneider, Laurie Brown, Rachel Jayson
Bass - Pete Gallanis
Flute - Jackie Miller, Louise Hill
Oboe - Lori Guess
Clarinet - Laura Langbein, Laura Bornhoeft, Jim Bensinger
Bassoon -  Richard Sargeant
Horn - Kristin Zempolich, James Kocsis, Deborah Kline
Trumpet - Curt Anstine, Bernie Rappaport
Trombone - Steve Ward, Alan Potter, Frank Eliot
Percussion - George Huttlin, Glenn Scimonelli

Production Staff

Producer - Denise Young
Stage Manager - Guillaume Tourniaire
Assistant Director - Madeleine Smith
Assistant Stage Manager - Tony Dwyer
Lighting Designer - Andrew Griffin
Set Designer - Andrew Berry
Scenic Artist - Becky Meushaw
Costume Designer - Andrea Schewe
Asst. Costume Designer - Gaye Freese
Costume Construction - Andrea Schewe. Gaye Freese, Debbie Jacobson, Maureen Roult, Donna Jaffe, Lisa Freese, Sherry Mitchell, Sandra & Sarah Huntzinger. Jaime Atteniese, Clyde Wright, Rick Dupuy, Karen Fleming, Todd Fleming, Debbie Peetz
Master Carpenters - William Kolodrubetz, Ed Byrdy
Set Construction & Painting - Tony Dwyer, Dave Kaysen, Peter Finkel, Debbie Peetz
Rehearsal Pianists - Jennifer Craley Bland, Judy Gardner, Caroline Lichtenstein
Program - Denise Young
Graphic Design - John Boulanger
Publicity - Sandy Rovner
Properties - Jane & Carlton Maryott, Alicia Oliver, Blair Eig, Don Mitchell, Tom Goode
Educational Outreach Programs - Debbie Niezgoda, Kiersten Whitehead
Technical Director (Rockville Civic Center) - Kim Haug
Theater Management - Joseph Palamara
House Management - Merle Haber
Set Storage - Rockville Civic Center


Special Thanks to: Bethesda Presbyterian Church, City of Rockville, Grace Episcopal Church, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Rockville Little Theater, Simplicity Pattern Co.

Director's Note

When Princess Ida first graced the stage in 1884, higher education for women was a novel idea in England. Most Victorians believed women did not need a college education, and some even believed university studies could make women ill. The idea was ripe for satire, as was the work of rising star Charles Darwin. Today, we can appreciate Princess Ida not so much as a satire on feminism and Darwinism, but as a commentary of the folly of extremism in any form.

At the heart of this battle of extremes is a love story. Critics sometimes grumble that Princess Ida wraps up too suddenly and tidily at the end, with everyone paired up happily ever after. Yet in any clash of extremes lies a yearning for balance, which we see played out in three romances. In their partners, the young lovers find their perfect match and the complement to his or her own strengths and foibles. Florian, an accomplished flatterer and flirt, falls for the sincere and guileless Melissa. Cyril’s hare-brained enthusiasm is balanced by Psyche’s stern intellectualism. One can imagine that Cyril keeps Psyche out of the convent, while Psyche keeps Cyril out of jail. And idealistic Ida finds her grounding in the good-natured Hilarion. Hilarion saves Ida from maturing into another Blanche—humorless, rigid, cloistered from the world she sought to save. Ida inspires light-hearted Hilarion to set
aside the childishness of youth to become the man who can be her counterpart and equal.

Synopsis

Act I - King Hildebrand’s Estate
King Hildebrand's household awaits the arrival of King Gama and his daughter, Princess Ida. Prince Hilarion, married to Ida in babyhood, eagerly awaits his bride. Hildebrand, his father, is also eager for this marriage, as the dowry would be welcome help for his sagging finances. Indeed, creditors stand ready to repossess his household treasures! Gama arrives, and announces that Ida has renounced mankind and started a University for women at Castle Adamant. Undaunted, Hilarion journeys to Adamant to win his bride. Hildebrand will hold Gama and sons hostage until Hilarion returns. The ladies of the household, dazzled by the idea of a women’s university, abscond for Adamant.

Act II - Castle Adamant University, some days later.
Matriculation of new students and Fresher Orientation At Castle Adamant University, new students exchange their confining Victorian wear for new gowns and school scarves. They meet Lady Psyche (Prof.of Humanities), Lady Blanche (Prof of Abstract Science), and finally Princess Ida herself. Hilarion, Cyril and Florian infiltrate the University. They don the ladies’ castoff dresses and disguise themselves as women. Psyche—Florian’s sister—discovers them. Intrigued by the boys, especially Cyril, Psyche agrees to keep their secret. So does Lady Blanche’s daughter Melissa, who is fascinated with Florian. However, when confronted by her mother, a flustered Melissa spills the beans. She convinces Blanche to keep mum—if Hilarion succeeds, Blanche will be left in charge. Their plans are upset when Cyril drunkenly blurts out their secret at lunch. A panicked Ida tries to flee, but slips and falls into a stream. Hilarion rescues her, moments before Hildebrand’s soldiers storm the castle. Hildebrand delivers an ultimatum: marry Hilarion, or he will raze the castle and execute Ida’s brothers. Ida vows to die rather than give in.

Act III - Castle Adamant University
The ladies hysterically prepare for battle. Lacking Ida’s idealistic courage, they all falter in the face of war. Alone, her ideals in tatters, Ida laments the loss of her dream. She accepts Hildebrand’s offer to settle their conflict with a duel between Ida’s brothers and the captive youths. At the last moment, Ida steps in and yields to Hilarion. Florian wins Melissa, Cyril wins Psyche, and Blanche wins control of the University.

Musical Selections

Act I
  • Overture
  • Search throughout the panorama (Florian, Ensemble)
  • Now hearken to my strict command (Hildebrand, Ensemble)
  • Today we meet (Hilarion)
  • From the distant panorama (Ensemble)
  • We are warriors three (Arac, Guron Scynthius, Ensemble)
  • If you give me your attention (Gama)
  • Finale (Company)

Act II
  • Toward the empyrean heights (Lady Psyche, Melissa, Sacharissa, Girls)
  • Mighty maiden with a mission (Girls)
  • Minerva! Oh, hear me (Princess Ida)
  • And thus to empyrean heights (Princess Ida, Girls)
  • Gently, gently (Hilarion, Cyril, Florian)
  • I am a maiden (Hilarion, Cyril, Florian)



  • The world is but a broken toy (Princess Ida, Hilarion, Cyril, Florian)
  • A lady fair of lineage high (Lady Psyche, Hilarion, Cyril, Florian)
  • The woman of the wisest wit (Lady Psyche, Melissa, Hilarion, Cyril, Florian)
  • Now wouldn’t you like (Melissa, Lady Blanche)
  • Merrily ring the luncheon bell (Lady Blance, Cyril, Girls)
  • Finale (Company)

Act III
  • Death to the invader! (Melissa, Girls)
  • I built upon a rock (Princess Ida)
  • Whene’er I spoke (Gama, Girls)
  • When anger spreads his wing (Ensemble)
  • This helmet, I suppose (Arac, Guron, Scynthius, Ensemble)
  • This is our duty (Ensemble)
  • Finale (Company)