The Sorcerer
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Those of us who regularly perform as members of the chorus in theatrical productions have to admit that we’ve all thought about what it would be like … if not fervently wished … to perform in a principal role. This alternate lyric song, written by Ernest and Stephanie Brody, and sung to the tune of “Dear Friends, Take Pity On My Lot,” gives voice to that quiet ambition! This song was performed at the company’s 1997 Last Gasp Cast Bash, by members of the chorus and the show’s directors. Chorus: Dear friends, take pity on our lot, Directors: I’m sorry you’re not what we want, Chorus: We really want a part, We know why we don’t get a part, Directors: We heard you sing, Chorus: We want a solo part, The directors for our 2010 production of The Sorcerer decided not to cast the role of Mrs. Partlet as an elderly, lower class women, but as a young, desirable woman of “questionable” reputation. Their concept was that it would be much more humorous for Sir Marmaduke to be mismatched with Miss Partlet, a young “gold-digger,” rather than with a person of a lower social position. This alternative lyric song written by Holly Windle and sung to the tune of “I Rejoice That It’s Decided” by Jim Ahrens, Walydn Benbenek, Erin Capello, Paul Coate and Victoria Valencour. Alexis: I resist this odd affair, it Quintet: She will fool him, fleece him, rule him, Aline: No exhausted, ancient widow, Sir Marmaduke: No high-born and gracious lady Quintet: She will hold him, tease him, scold him, Miss Parlet: Let dear Constance go for vicars – Dr. Daly: All the village drank the potion Others: All his flock is leading he! Quintet: She will lull him, cheat him, gull him, Alexis & Dr. Daly: But, although “numbskull” they call him, Aline & Miss Parlet: He will think it all worthwhile. Sir Marmaduke: All worthwhile, all worthwhile. W.S. Gilbert found it quite amusing that women would fawn over young clergymen, as fervently as or even more so than they might over military men or men of high rank. While our attitudes about such matters may be changed in the twenty-first century … we still enjoy the humor! This following alternative lyric song was first performed in 1997 and again in 2010, at the Last Gasp Cast Bash events for those year’s productions of The Sorcerer. It was performed in 1997 by Jim Ahrens, Waldyn Benbenek, Mather Dolph, Joseph Andrews, Zoe Kuester, and members of the chorus, and in 2010 by Jim Ahrens, Waldyn Benbenek, Mather Dolph, Erin Capello, Paul Coate and members of the chorus. Sir Marmaduke: Stroll, strut and beguile, Men: None so cunning as he, Trio: See, see they wink, Dr. Daly: I just don’t know why, Women: None so handsome as he, A unique aspect of The Sorcerer is that the script calls for the cast to fall asleep on stage at the end of the Act I Finale, and still to be sleeping on stage at the beginning of Act II. Staging this has been a challenge for The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company and its productions on the Howard Conn Fine Arts Center stage … as the stage has no curtain. What are the “sleeping” cast members to do? It’s always seemed inappropriate to have the cast simply stand up and walk off the stage during the intermission in full sight of audience members who are still in the theater. The directors in the Company’s productions of The Sorcerer have come up with various solutions. In the 1985 production, the cast “slept” on stage for the entire intermission. Rumor has it that some actually did fall asleep! In 1997, the director had a roll drop installed as a part of the set. The drop came down at the end of Act I, but as it had to be installed halfway up the stage, it was necessary for the entire cast to move to the back half of the stage and fall asleep in a crowded mass. In 2010, the director came up with an interesting “mixed solution.” A third of the cast fell asleep on stage and had to “sleep” on stage during the entire intermission. A third of the cast wondered off stage to fall asleep … which, of course, made it possible for them to enjoy cookies in the Green Room with the orchestra during intermission! The final third of the cast, wondered out into the theater lobby, where they “fell asleep.” It was this final group of cast members who had, perhaps, the toughest assignment, as they were required to sleep, despite the occasional prods and “humorous” comments by audience members. The following alternative lyric song celebrated this experience. It was written by Jim Brooks and sung at the 2010 Last Gasp Cast Bash by all the cast members, to the tune of “Oi! Where Be I.” One note … the song refers to a “rant,” which is an English country dance step that was used in the 2010 production. Men: Oi! Why be I, a’sleepin’ in the lobby with all those little brats a’pokin’ me? Women: Don’t gripe! My head is on your knees, Men: Just like you! Always were the whiner! Women: Please say something kinder, couldn’t you? Men: That’s quite a pose, sleepin’ on the table. Women: I’m sure that’s true, and it takes willpower. All: Eh, but we loike to pule! Men: If you’ll rant with me, I know I won’t embarrass you! Women: If you’ll rant with me, I’m sure I will not harass you! Men: If you’ll rant with me, I’ll look just like an ass with you! All: All this will I do if you’ll rant with me! Women: If you’ll rant with me, I know I won’t compete with you! Men: If you’ll rant with me, I’ll use both my left feet for you! Women: If you’ll rant with me, I’ll try to keep a beat with you! All: Do “potato chip”, if you’ll rant with me! The company’s first production of The Sorcerer, in the fall of 1985, included a performance that took place on November 17th, the 108th anniversary of Gilbert and Sullivan’s original staging of the operetta. The company celebrated the event, after that day’s performance, by singing “Happy Birthday to You,” to the Sorcerer, personified on stage by the actor who played the role of John Wellington Wells, Mark D. Williams. Prior to the curtain, however, the company sang for themselves, in the green room, an alternate lyric tribute to The Sorcerer and its 108th anniversary. We rejoice that we’re provided, Chorus: We will sing, dance it, quote it, Though for many years neglected, Chorus: We will sing, dance it, quote it, Not a famous operetta, Chorus: We will sing, dance it, quote it, |