Will it be love or war?

This is the question posed by King Hildebrand, grandly portrayed by Matt Tragert, as his kingdom anxiously awaits the arrival of Maria Bozich as fiercely independent Princess Ida. 

With book by W.S. Gilbert, perceptive direction by Rebecca Graber, and compelling music by Arthur Sullivan conducted and musically directed by Stephanie Beatrice, The Sudbury Savoyards presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s timely farcical and romantic opera Princess Ida or Castle Adamant at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in Sudbury, Massachusetts live and in person through Saturday, March 2.  The show is two and half hours plus one 15 minute intermission and presented in three acts.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Though the production takes place during the Middle Ages, costume designers Sue Flint and Donna Roessler infuse contemporary flair to medieval garb in colorful plaids, pinstripes, wool, silks, and converse sneakers.  A few modern props by Nancy Powers include Michael González as Hilarion cradling a sacred wedding box and a humorous moment when a jolly popcorn box and streamers lightheartedly fly overhead.  It lends to the innate playfulness of the production even as Gama’s sons adorn nearly identical letterman sweaters marked with their first initial to form G A S.  Gama’s sons include Matthew Garber as Guron, Blair Eig as Arac, and Santo Mammon as Scynthius who form quite the sibling trio and get into various predicaments along the way.

Princess Ida or Castle Adament delves into the story of two kingdoms bound together by a royal marriage and a vow from twenty years ago.  Brad Amidon as proud and amiable curmudgeon King Gama must reunite his daughter Princess Ida to Michael González as Prince Hilarion or there will be consequences.   In a blue suit and hat, Amidon’s sneers and mischievous snickers are a highlight as King Gama secretly delights in grumbling about everything demonstrated in If You’ll Give me Your Attention. Tenor Michael González lends warmhearted and soaring vocals to depict earnest Prince Hilarion.  González, David Smyth as Florian, and Thai Johnson as Cyril form another comic trio as they embark on a wild journey where women rule punctuated by the catchy Gently Gently and later Johnson creating an amusing scenario for Would You Know the Kind of Maid.

Adorned in a lilac suit and boasting a powerful and shimmering vibrato, Maria Bozich leads several strong female characters with a driven and commanding presence as Princess Ida who expresses ideas of her own making a grand entrance with the mighty O Goddess Wise.  In a striking detailed suit, Soprano Sara DeLong charismatically expresses her own plans as calculating and poised Lady Blanche with Come Mighty Must.  Her daughter Melissa, portrayed by Sara Mitnik, proves a worthy conspirator and shines with the cast for Death to the Invader.   Soprano Danielle Shevchenko is an apt Lady Psyche and Shevchenko is memorable with González, Smythe, Johnson, and Mitnik for The Women of the Wisest Wit.

Boasting strong vocals and witty banter, Princess Ida or Castle Adamant takes a spirited look at gender roles and the royal monarchy.  There are points within this opera where one may have to suspend one’s disbelief to make room for the absurd and this is a lighthearted production that it is humorous enough to do so.  When watching the production, the program is an invaluable resource in understanding scattered era terminology and following the plot.

With book by W.S. Gilbert and compelling music by Arthur Sullivan conducted and musically directed by Stephanie Beatrice, The Sudbury Savoyards presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s timely farcical and romantic opera Princess Ida or Castle Adamant at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in Sudbury, Massachusetts live and in person through Saturday, March 2.  The show is two and half hours plus one 15 minute intermission and presented in three acts. Click here for more information and for tickets.