On the weekend of Oct. 26 - 28, CG&SS presented Iolanthe to three very appreciative audiences.  Being on stage, with the womens' ensemble, for the first time in a long while gave me a different perspective on the company from just watching rehearsals.  I became aware of the strong sense of community within the group, and was impressed with how much everyone supports each other.  I always knew the productions were good, and the leads and chorus very talented, but I also learned how hard they all work, and how much they all pull together.  Here are some e-mails that were sent to the director, praising our excellent show.

From the "Savoynet" Web Site:
    
    Paul and I attended the CG&SS production of "Iolanthe" this afternoon in Middletown, Connecticut. I can honestly say that we never enjoyed a production of "Iolanthe" as much as this, at least not since the CG&SS "Iolanthe" ten years ago. The costumes were beautiful, the chorus well rehearsed, and the choreography was lovely without being so complicated that people were stumbling all over each other (as I've seen in several productions, including some I've been in). 
   The leads were all excellent--Phyllis and Strephon (Kathleen Thompson and David Henderson) were charming and funny as the love-struck young lovers.  Allan Church as the Lord Chancellor was everything that all patter baritones aspire to but rarely are.  His voice and mannerisms were perfect for the role.  The Queen of the Fairies was played by Carol Connolly.  Not only was her voice appropriately a rich, mellifluous contralto, she had a commanding presence accentuated by her attire.  She looked like she stepped straight out of "Die Gotterdammerung."  
   
  Iolanthe, played by Renee Molnar-Haines, conveyed a motherly love towards Strephon, yet looked youthful enough to pass for seventeen.  Her "He Loves" was gorgeous; I had to wipe away a few tears at the end.  Lords Tolloller (Bill Sorensen) and Mountararat (Mike Reynolds) were perfectly matched.  They played off each other superbly.  I've heard Bill's beautiful tenor voice in the past.  I believe this is the first time I've heard Mike's rich baritone.  Private Willis was Bill Ziegler, and he was every bit the "godlike" sentry.
   
  I guess I should also comment on the sets, which were designed by Bill Sorensen.  Act Two in particular was an almost life-life rendition of Parliament Square.  The special effects of thunder and lightning during the first act finale were stunning, although I think they could have been shortened by about two or three repetitions.
   
  The show was miked, and I think it added to, rather than detracted from, the overall effect.  Every word could be heard clearly, and the performers didn't have to strain to project their voices.  The sound engineer did a good job at keeping it from sounding artificial.  Bob Cumming, the Director, should be commended for the excellent shows he has put on year after year.  He is artistic and innovative without going overboard, and retains the true style of Gilbert & Sullivan.      --Bobbie Herman (sangazure1@aol.com) on SavoyNet
From Jonathan Strong - Colleague and G&S Expert
 "Thanks for the DVD.  I must say this IOLANTHE is the best-sounding and looking CG&SS ever!  What stylishly colorful stage pictures, one after another.  And the voices were splendid.  IOLANTHE will always be my favorite of all G&S, and so I'm particularly particular about it. (I saw Peter Pratt and D'Oyly Carte on tour in Chicago in '56--my first D'Oyly Carte--so it means something to me when a production works as well as yours.  The usual delightful touches (the swing, the sparkling crowns, the Wagnerian Queen) that I expect from Bob C. productions were splendid, as was of course the performance of the stalwart tenor of Bill Sorensen.  Allan Church's diction and phrasing was excellent (must have learned at the knee of Leighton!).  Bill S. and Mike Reynolds made perfect nobs.  And Carol Connolly was surely born to play that role--"gentle" and "fierce" in quick succession.  Nice lighting!  Renee Haines' ballad (my favorite among favorites) was lovely, and Hal Chernoff's Pvt. Willis lifted up the second act even higher than the heights of Act One.  Your dancing boy is most remarkable.
    "I realized this time how most of the funniest bits go the the love interest in IOLANTHE. David Henderson and Kathleen Thompson played beautifully off each other. And has our orchestra ever sounded better? Wish we could have seen and heard it all in the flesh. But the "Just Shoot Me" DVD gives a great feel for the show, and I'll certainly pass on his web address (says I, the last remaining person on Earth with no computer). I liked the testimonial in the Middletown Press (by members of the Conn. Critics Circle). Happy Thanksgiving! --Jonathan Strong, 13 Nov. 2007
A letter to the editor of The New London Day:  

The Conn. G&S Society presented the comic opera, "Iolanthe," this past weekend in Middletown with Stonington resident Dr. John Dreslin, its musical director, conducting the large orchestra. This annual Gilbert &
Sullivan revival is a highlight on the state's cultural calendar.

    This year's production was done with passion, professionalism, and with utmost respect to the original 1882 material--a witty musical satire about politics and the legal profession that is still relevant for today's audiences. The brilliant staging, choreography, cast, scenic, lighting and costume design, orchestra (a pick-up one at that!) and conductor gave audiences three thrilling performances. It is to the credit of the artistic director/choreographer, Robert Cumming, that his artful blocking of such a huge cast kept the action going with perfect pacing and without a hitch from start to finish in this Broadway-quality production.

With a little bit of luck, the group will be back next year w/another joyous & exuberant production of a Gilbert & Sullivan classic Tony Schillaci and Don Church, Groton (the writers are members of the Connecticut Critics Circle)
And finally, two quickies:   
  Bravo!  First-rate production!  Well sung, well choreographed and so well directed.  "Don't go!"  Just continue to do what you are doing; may we look forward to "Patience" next year?                                 All the best, Jean Shaw                                                                  
                                                                                                                               (past head of the Center for the Arts, Wesleyan; 
                                                                                                                                                                   past treasurer, Middletown Foundation on the Arts) 

"Congratulations on a wonderfully colorful and engaging and musically and dramatically strong production.  I'd heard good things about it (from Deb Lyone and in "The Trumpet Bray") and it was so much fun to see it--especially after seeing the highlights in rehearsal you shared with us.  Congratulations again on a lovely production!  
Yours faithfully, Ralph MacPhail." 
Retired professor of Bridgewater College (Virginia), director of the G&S Society productions of Austin, Texas, 
Director of G&S Elderhostels at The Incarnation Center, Ivoryton, CT, and one of the founders of SavoyNet