Princess Ida holds a special place in my heart, as it is the first G&S piece in which I was ever involved, either on or off the stage. It has some of Sullivan's best music coupled with a less than stellar libretto. Gilbert had written his "respectful perversion of Tennyson's The Princess" in blank verse years before meeting Sullivan. Unfortunately, the librettist managed to eliminate several details of the plot when adapting his earlier work for the collaboration. The result was a relatively poorly received show. Its initial run of 246 performances, which started on January 5, 1884, was one of the shortest of all the Savoy operas. It was not revived by D'Oyly Carte until 1919, and it has always been one of the least frequently performed works in the repertoire.

Various cuts and changes in song order have been tried over the years. I have followed most of the 1954 D'Oyly Carte cuts and have made my own major cuts in the final dialogue: not allowing Hildebrand to ridicule Ida's views, but rather allowing her simply to fall in love.

With all that said, I welcome you to my "respectful perversion" of Gilbert & Sullivan's Princess Ida. I have set our story in the fantasy world of late-medieval Amherst and its surroundings…

Act I: Pavilion in King Hildebrand's castle--Belchertown. Our play opens with members of King Hildebrand's court anxiously awaiting the arrival of Princess Ida, who was betrothed to Hildebrand's son Hilarion "at the extremely early age of one." Ida's three brothers and her father (King Gama) arrive, but, alas, with no Princess. Gama informs us that Ida has founded a women's university. Hildebrand orders Gama and his sons held hostage. Hilarion and his friends, Cyril and Florian, set off to win over the hearts of the ladies.

Act II: In the gardens surrounding Ida's Castle Adamant--Amherst. The second act opens with an informal lecture by Ida's protégée, Lady Psyche, explaining to the young ladies that "man is nature's sole mistake." Lady Blanche (Castle Adamant's equivalent of an army master sergeant) enters to mete out the daily list of punishments. As night approaches, we watch a vespers service with the Princess welcoming three young maidens who've come to join her ranks.

Under cover of darkness, and with all the maidens safely in their chambers, our three affable young men arrive on the scene. By a stunning act of theatre magic, three academic robes are found, and they just happen to fit. (Call it serendipity.) Dawn breaks, and our three female impersonators are discovered by Lady Psyche who, by an amazing quirk of fate, turns out to be Florian's long-lost sister. (G&S afficionados well know how commonplace such coincidences can be.) The truth is found by an ever-increasing circle of people until, finally, during a picnic lunch, Cyril gets a bit tipsy and sings a bawdy song. This throws Hilarion into a rage, and the masquerade is up. While withdrawing her charges to save them from male contamination, Ida falls into a brook. She is rescued by Hilarion but shows no mercy, ordering the three men arrested. Hildebrand and his soldiers crash the gates to demand compliance with the marriage, but the women remain absolutely defiant. Hildebrand learns that this will be no cakewalk.

Act III: Within the walls of Castle Adamant. We find our ladies practicing their military drills, albeit with less than complete enthusiasm or courage. Ida enters to inspect her troops and soon finds herself quite alone to face Hildebrand. Gama "arrives" to plead with her: pit her brothers against Hilarion and his friends, and "on the issue let [her] hand depend." Ida consents to the arrangement, Hilarion and friends emerge victorious, Ida falls madly in love, and--as is to be expected in a G&S opera--just about everyone ends up happy.

-- Thom Griffin

Overture

Act I:

1.	Search throughout the panorama	Florian and Chorus
2.	Now hearken to my strict command	Hildebrand and Chorus
3.	Today we meet	Hilarion
4.	From the distant panorama	Chorus
5.	We are warriors three	Arac, Guron, Scynthius, and Chorus
6.	If you give me your attention	Gama
7.	P'raps if you address the lady	Gama, Hildebrand, and Chorus
	Expressive glances	Hilarion, Cyril, Florian, and Chorus
	For a month to dwell	Arac, Guron, Scynthius, Hildebrand, and Chorus

Act II:

8.	Towards the empyrean heights	Lady Psyche, Melissa, Sacharissa, and Chorus of Girls
9.	Mighty maiden with a mission	Chorus of Girls
10.	Minerva! oh, hear me	Princess Ida
11.	And thus to empyrean height	Chorus of Girls
12.	Gently, gently	Cyril, Hilarion, and Florian
13.	I am a maiden	Cyril, Hilarion, and Florian
14.	The world is but a broken toy	Ida, Cyril, Hilarion, and Florian
15.	A lady fair of lineage high	Lady Psyche with Cyril, Hilarion, and Florian
16.	The woman of the wisest wit	Lady Psyche, Melissa, Cyril, Hilarion, and Florian
17.	Now wouldn't you like	Melissa and Lady Blanche
18.	Merrily ring the luncheon bell	Lady Blanche, Cyril, and Chorus
19.	Would you know the kind of maid	Cyril
20.	Oh, joy! our chief is saved	Soloists and Chorus
	Walls and fences scaling	Chorus
	Some years ago	Hildebrand and Chorus
	We may remark	Arac, Guron, Scynthius, Princess Ida, and Hildebrand
	To yield at once to such a foe	Princess Ida and Ensemble

Act III:

21.	Death to the invader!	Melissa and Chorus of Girls
22.	I built upon a rock	Princess Ida
23.	Whene'er I spoke	Gama with Chorus of Girls
24.	When anger spreads his wing	Chorus
25.	This helmet, I suppose	Arac, with Guron, Scynthius, and Chorus
26.	This is our duty	Chorus
27.	Finale: With joy abiding	Princess Ida, Hilarion, and Ensemble

King Hildebrand	Matthew Roehrig
Hilarion (his son)	John Meredith
Hilarion's friends:
Cyril	Patrick Cain Callinan
Florian	Ben Hellman
King Gama	Jim Ellis
Gama's sons:
Arac	Al Hudson
Guron	Kurtiss Gordon
Scynthius	Andrew P. Banas
Princess Ida (Gama's daughter)	Julie M. Poole
Lady Blanche (Professor of Abstract Science)	Lucy Robinson
Lady Psyche (Professor of Humanities)	Lisa Abend
Melissa (Lady Blanche's daughter)	Elizabeth Parent
Girl graduates:
Saccharissa	Anne E. Westdyke
Chloe	Rachel Thorburn
Ada	Marese Dolan Hutchinson

Chorus of Girl Graduates, "Daughters of the Plough," etc.

Catherine Bennett, Deborah Braswell, Jennifer Healey, Anah Klate, Elysse Link, Kathy Moser, Sarah Paden, Shirley Pérez, Fran Plumer, Jennifer Russell, Jane Smithwick Shohan, Carolyn Smith, Elaine Walker
 

Chorus of Soldiers and Courtiers

Charles Adams, Geert de Vries, Russ Ekstrom, John Foster, Glen Gordon, Peter Hirschman, Kevin P. Hutchinson, Mzamo P. Mangaliso, Paul E. Peelle, Joe Pistrang, Nathan Treloar, Jim Walker

Concertmistress:	Diana Peelle
Violins:	Chiung-Yin Chung, Fred Henle, Elaine Holdsworth,Steve Irwin, Eric Kawamoto, Elizabeth Kelly, Catherine McCurry, Bob McGuigan, Tyson Peelle, Gayle Schechtman, Allen Smith, John Wcislo, Harriet Wetstone
Violas:	Joseph Contino, Irene Gifford, Nancy Hoople, Bob Mertz
Cellos:	April Acker, Barbara Davis, Janet O'Rourke, Louise Pressman
Flutes:	Susan Dunbar, Patricia Devine
Piccolo:	Patricia Devine
Oboe:	Katherine Hudson/Sarah Callahan
Clarinets:	Miriam Jenkins, Jim Henle
Bassoon:	George Howard
Cornets:	Ron Bell, Sheldon Ross
French Horns:	John Jenkins, James Chapman
Trombones:	David R. Evans, Steve Tilley
Percussion:	Davin Peelle

Stage Director and Choreographer	Thom Griffin
Music Director	David Kidwell
Assistant Music Director	Kathy Moser
Technical Director	Bob Graham
Set Designer	Richard Gregory
Lighting Designer	William G. Elliott
Costume Designer	Richard Gregory
Make-up Designer	Linda Stark Patterson
Stage Manager	Eileen Rannenberg
Assistant to the Stage Manager	Katie Berry
Consultants	Sally and Bill Venman
Business Manager	Melton M. Miller
House Manager	Murray Schuman
Graphics	Joanne Tebaldi
Program Typesetting/Printing	David Caputo, Radical Solutions
Hall Decoration	Ruth Levine
Photography	Gwen Mitus, Mitus Photography
Taping and Sound	Harrison Digital Audio Services
Videotaping	Ken Walker
Audition Accompanists	Catherine Bennett, Marilyn Berthelette, Glen Gordon, David Rutherford, Harry Seelig

COSTUME CONSTRUCTION:

Karen Jordan, Diane Kelton, and Elaine Walker, co-heads; Mildred Allenchey, Jeanne Closson, Dorothy Dean, Pandora Frazer, Nadine Gallo, Diane Helgesen, Doris Holden, Marese Dolan Hutchinson, Phyllis Jordan, Wendy Larson, Louise MacDonald, Julia Mawson, Kathy McCue, Alice Mertz, Kathy Moser, Gladys Rivera, Marion Rosenau, Carolyn Samonds, Sally Venman, Fay Zipkowitz
 

MAKE-UP:

Linda Stark Patterson, head; Catherine Lee, Michelle Patterson, Sarah Patterson
 

HAIR DRESSING:

Hair by Harlow
 

SET CONSTRUCTION and STAGE CREW:

Bob Graham, head; Carlton Brose, Sudro Brown, Bryant Carpenter, John Foster, Lew Jordan, Louise Krieger, Jacqueline McDowell, Gabe McGuigan, Mel Miller, Steve Morgan, Judi Pierce, Joe Pistrang, Gordon Rockwell, Bill Venman, Jim Walker
 

SCENE PAINTING:

Linda Stark Patterson, head; Diane Helgesen, Byron Koh, Elysse J. Link, Leeyanne Moore, Sarah Patterson, Judi Pierce, Joe Pistrang, Eileen Rannenberg
 

LIGHTING:

Joe Krusas, board operator; Traver Gumaer, Matt Kimmel, Jim Logan, Jacqueline McDowell, Bill Venman, Jim Walker, John Warthen
 

SOUND EFFECTS:

Mark Elliott, Duckwater Productions, Inc.
 

PROPERTIES:

Marese Dolan Hutchinson, head; Duane Dale, Kathleen Dolan, William G. Elliott, John Foster, Bob Graham, Kevin P. Hutchinson, Diane Kelton, Kathy Moser, Joe Pistrang, Judy Pistrang, Elaine Walker, Marion Williams
 

REHEARSAL ACCOMPANISTS:

Catherine Bennett, Marilyn Berthelette, Kenneth Forfia, Glen Gordon, David Rutherford, Gina Tager

PROGRAM:

Kurtiss Gordon and Louise Krieger, co-heads; Al Hudson, Judy Hudson, Dorothy Miller, Paul E. Peelle, Joanne Tebaldi
 

PUBLICITY/TICKETS:

Amherst Leisure Services, Inc., Laurel Kushi, Amalia Lorenz, Steve Stoia
 

BANNER PAINTING:

Judi Pierce, Eileen Rannenberg, Linda Stark Patterson
 

USHER COORDINATOR:

Corinne Demas Bliss
 

SENIOR USHERS:

David Aronow, Asha Awad, Sara Bozarg, Margaret Butterfield, Sarah Callahan, Deborah Campbell, Adam Campbell-Strauss, Heather Carmichael, Maria Choi, Violetta Cody, Duane Dale, Bree Delman, Trish Farrington, Ben Frantz-Dale, Chris Frantz-Dale, Heidi Frantz-Dale, Ingrid Frau, Kirstin Goodrich, Meghan Greeley, Joan Gross, Amy Hamel, Laurel Killough, Amy Kwan, Sally Lawton, Diana Lemly, Emma Lieber, Jacqueline McDowell, John McDowell, Julie McNiven, Christina Monte, Debbie Mullins, Rob Noyes, Sali Okulski, David Pistrang, Beth Reisman, Matthew Riddle, Caitlin Robinson, Alex Rosenthal, Janet Ross, Diana Santiago, Shideh Shafie, Lorianna Streciwilk, Emily Swartz, Lora Swartz, Chris Walker-Ray, Theresa M. Walker-Ray, John Whitehead, Karen Zilliox
 

JUNIOR USHERS:

Sarah Pearl Aronow-Werner, Kate Campbell-Strauss, Charlotte de Vries, Paul de Vries, Carl Goodrich, Benjamin Howard, Margo Isman, Virna Johnson, Faith Killough, Kelly Morgan, Elizabeth Morzuch, Emma Morzuch, Artemis D. Roehrig, Sarah Rothenberg, Marie Thompson, Michelle Thompson, Hadley vonBruns, Theresa Walker-Ray
 

COMPANY PHOTOGRAPHY:

Deborah Campbell, Susan Wiggin
 

COMPANY COMMISSARY:

Mimi Cary, head; Kathy Moser, Gladys Rivera, Jim Walker
 

PERFORMANCE REFRESHMENTS:

Amherst Regional High School Theatre Company

Lisa Abend -- Lady Psyche -- marks her first production with VLO. Before moving to Amherst last year, this native New Yorker acted, sang, and danced in numerous theatrical productions, playing a range of roles from Bugs Bunny to St. Joan. She has starred in national commercials, appeared on Ryan's Hope and The Doctors, and was the first national spokesperson for ELLE magazine. Lisa was last seen on the New York stage as Grace in Peter McCabe's The Violinist at the Westbeth Theatre Center. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Parsons School of Design. While performing professionally over the last 16 years, she has also made her living as an artist, caterer, and spiritual counselor. She is presently enrolled in the interfaith ministry program at The New Seminary in New York City. Her husband Joshua Hornick teaches science at ARJHS and coaches the ARHS volleyball team.

Andrew P. Banas -- Scynthius -- has performed with the Commonwealth Opera and the Westfield Theater Group. He is a long-time vocal student of Theda Torlai and studies piano with Jesse Luke. He has also sung and played drums with area rock bands and is a former member of the Celebration Singers. He is currently singing with Westfield's Holy Trinity Church choir and performs solo at local churches. Andy has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona and is now completing an M.B.A. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a Registered Professional Engineer and manager at the Westfield Gas & Electric Light Department. This is his first time on the Valley Light Opera stage.

Patrick Cain Callinan -- Cyril -- studied Drama and Acting at the University of Delaware and Bucks County College, and Voice and Opera at Peabody Institute of Music. He was a finalist in the 1977 Metropolitan Opera National/Regional auditions. He has performed summer stock and stock opera with the Bucks County Playhouse, Lakewood Musical Playhouse (Pocono Mts.) and the Berkshire Public Theatre. Pat was founder of and a performer with the 8th Avenue Revue. He has performed with many local companies and at major resorts and aboard cruise ships throughout the U. S. and Europe. His half dozen previous VLO roles include Ralph Rackstraw in our inaugural production of H.M.S. Pinafore and, more recently, Col. Fairfax in Yeomen of the Guard and Richard Dauntless in Ruddigore. He is the founder of the singing act Le Cabaret and the Mystery Theatre.

Jim Ellis -- King Gama -- has directed and performed in Gilbert and Sullivan since his undergraduate days at Oberlin College in the 1950s. His introduction to New England was as a member of the Oberlin College Summer Players on Cape Cod. His teaching and scholarship have focused on drama, particularly of the nineteenth century, and include an edition of W. S. Gilbert's Bab Ballads available through Harvard University Press. Over the years, Jim has directed nine productions for VLO, including last year's Orpheus in the Underworld, which he also translated from the French. The year before that, he played Sir Joseph Porter in H.M.S. Pinafore. He also directed the last three productions of Welcome, Yule! in Turners Falls.

Kurtiss Gordon -- Guron -- has been in the chorus of most VLO productions since Iolanthe in 1976. He has also played a few minor leads, including the Carpenter's Mate in H.M.S. Pinafore in 1993, and served for two years as clerk on the VLO Board of Directors. For a number of years, he sang with the Hampshire College Chorus and the College's Madrigal Singers. He sings with the choir of the Unitarian-Universalist Society of Amherst. In what passes for "real life," Kurt develops software and manages databases for the Office of Information Technologies at UMass.

Ben Hellman -- Florian -- returns to VLO for his second season after appearing as Mars in Orpheus in the Underworld. Ben spent his summer with College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, Massachusetts and, in their nine-show season, played Lancelot in Camelot, Puck in The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, the title role in The Mikado, and File in 110 in the Shade. Last spring, Ben performed in Mt. Holyoke College's production of Into the Woods as Rapunzel's Prince. He will appear this December in a UMass Theatre Department production of the one-act play A Day for Surprises, and next spring he will be Sir Despard in Simsbury Light Opera Company's Ruddigore. A junior theatre major at the University of Massachusetts, Ben studies voice with Susan Huetteman.

Al Hudson -- Arac -- has participated in most of the company's productions since the fall of 1979 as principal singer or chorus member. He has sung the roles of the Sergeant of Police and Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, Antonio in The Gondoliers, Florian in our previous production of Princess Ida, and Sir Marmaduke Poindextre in The Sorcerer. He has also appeared locally in two Menotti operas: he sang the Page in Amahl and the Night Visitors (Commonwealth Opera) and Mr. Gabinot in The Medium (Ad Hoc Opera). Al served VLO for two years as President, and two years as a producer (H.M.S. Pinafore and Orpheus). In his spare time, he ekes out an existence as Professor of Anthropology at UMass.

Marese Dolan Hutchinson -- Ada -- has been involved with VLO for the past nine years as chorus member, head of the properties crew, producer, and member and president of the Board of Directors. She currently teaches at the Amherst Common School. Prior to moving to Amherst, Marese was a harpist and entertainer at the Medieval Banquets in Bunratty Castle, Ireland.

John Meredith -- Hilarion -- is new to VLO this year. This production marks John's return to the stage after several years. He has appeared in leading roles in numerous productions, including Bye, Bye Birdie, Big Time (world premiere), Guys and Dolls, The Fantasticks, Falstaff, Eros and Psyche (world premiere), La Bohème, The Tender Land, Trial By Jury, Yeomen of the Guard, and Princess Ida. John studied flute at the Interlochen Arts Academy. He graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory where he studied voice and psychology as a double degree student. While doing graduate work in Neuroscience at Northwestern University in Chicago, John was a soloist and member of the William Ferris Chorale, which performed choral works of living composers, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Sanctuary Choir. John, his wife Kathleen, and their daughter Rebekah moved to western Massachusetts in 1992. John does research in Neuroscience at the University of Massachusetts. He currently enjoys singing with the Wesley United Methodist Church Choir in Amherst.

Elizabeth Parent -- Melissa -- joins us for her second year, having appeared as Diana in last year's production of Orpheus in the Underworld. Liz is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music, where she majored in vocal performance. While she was in college, she performed in Die Fledermaus and La Traviata. She has been a featured soloist with the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. Next spring, Liz will be appearing with Simsbury Light Opera Company as Mad Margaret in Ruddigore. When she's not singing, Liz is a gift sales representative for Madco, Inc. Her territory is Western Massachusetts and Vermont. Special thanks to Mom and Madco for all their support!

Julie M. Poole -- Princess Ida -- returns to the VLO stage after a two-year absence. In 1992, Julie sang the role of Gianetta in The Gondoliers. She has performed many times with Simsbury Light Opera Company (SLOCO), singing roles such as Aline in The Sorcerer, Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore, and, most recently, Casilda in The Gondoliers, which marked SLOCO's 50th anniversary. Julie has also enjoyed singing recently with Connecticut Opera, the Torrington Symphony Orchestra, and in various solo concerts. On Sunday mornings, you can hear Julie at St. John's Episcopal Church in West Hartford.

Lucy Robinson -- Lady Blanche -- trained in early lead roles of Red Riding Hood in kindergarten, Lucy Goes to Switzerland in third grade, Ruth in Pirates by seventh grade, and one of the biddies in Arsenic and Old Lace as a senior. She's also enjoyed many roles with the Valley Players in Waitsfield, VT, her favorite being Sarah in Company. This is her seventh show with VLO, thanks to the support of her family and the forbearance of her other children in the Amherst Preschool at Skinner Hall, UMass.

Matthew Roehrig -- King Hildebrand -- is appearing in his thirteenth role with VLO. Audiences will remember him as Capt. Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore, Robin Oakapple in Ruddigore, Strephon in Iolanthe, and as Jupiter in last year's Orpheus in the Underworld. Other Pioneer Valley performances have included the roles of Petruchio in Taming of the Shrew, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and El Gallo in The Fantasticks. He also appeared with the Broadway revue group Give My Regards. As an undergraduate, Matt sang with the Amherst College Glee Club. He studies voice with Susan Huetteman. Matt is a fifth grade teacher in Belchertown.

Rachel Thorburn -- Chloe -- has been heavily involved in theatre for over twenty years. She has performed in more than fifty musical and dramatic productions. Besides being an actress, singer, and Savoyard, Rachel is also a linguist, a clown, and a rape crisis counselor. She lives in South Deerfield.

Anne E. Westdyke -- Saccharissa -- is making her debut with VLO. Her other stage credits include the King's College Summer Theatre production of Cole. She is a choral singer, most recently with the Philadelphia Singing City Choir and the Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus, and does choral and oratorio work at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Florence, MA. In real life, Anne is the Director of Development and Alumni Relations at Northfield Mount Hermon School.

Thom Griffin -- Stage Director and Choreographer -- is a well-known performer up and down the Connecticut Valley and served as stage director for our 1992 production of The Gondoliers. Thom has performed the patter leads in the entire G&S repertoire. VLO audiences will remember his Ko-Ko from The Mikado and J. W. Wells from The Sorcerer. In recent years, Thom has worked with Opera North of Hanover, NH, appearing as Benoit/Alcindoro in La Bohème, and as Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata. For the past two autumn seasons, he toured New England with Opera New England of Boston, first as Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville and last year as Mark Twain/Guitar Player in Lucas Foss' Jumping Frog.

David Kidwell -- Music Director -- is a composer, conductor, pianist, and violinist. This is his first year directing for VLO, but he has been in the orchestra for the past four years and was a rehearsal pianist for last year's Orpheus. David is music director of the revue company Le Cabaret, organist and choir director at First Park Memorial Baptist Church in Springfield, and is on the music faculty at the Eaglebrook School. He has been involved in local theatre productions of Pippin, Oliver, As You Like It, Li'l Abner, The Wizard of Oz, and Babes in Arms. In his spare time, David is assistant conductor of the Pioneer Valley Symphony. He holds a bachelor's degree in music from Mary Washington College and a master's degree in composition from the Hartt School of Music.

William G. Elliott -- Lighting Designer -- began doing lights and sound for elementary school productions and continued through high school and the University of Michigan (WUOM). After moving to New England, Bill worked with Lincoln Players, Concord Players, De Cordova Museum Summer Theater, and Cambridge Opera Workshop. He has lit such productions as Miracle Worker, Diary of Anne Frank, Prisoner on Second Avenue, The Music Man, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, Madame Butterfly, La Bohème, and Street Scene. Professionally, Bill is a consultant on water resource management.

Bob Graham -- Producer and Technical Director -- returns for his fifth consecutive year with VLO as technical director and fourth as producer. A central Michigan native, he began his theatrical career early as the production assistant to the Faculty Producer/ Director of the University of Michigan Student Players, as well as stage managing the group's Volpone and Brigadoon. Bob was also active on both sides of the stage with the Ernie Pyle Players in Tokyo while there with the U. S. Army, including playing The Monk in The Lady's Not for Burning. He is a UMass Computer Science professor.

Richard Gregory -- Costume and Set Designer -- joins us for his tenth VLO production. Beginning in 1985, he designed costumes for Utopia, Ltd. (which he also directed), The Mikado, The Sorcerer, The Pirates of Penzance, The Yeomen of the Guard, Thespis, Ruddigore, The Gondoliers, and H.M.S. Pinafore. Dick has also been on the boards as Cupid in Thespis and the Duke of Plaza Toro in The Gondoliers. He is currently also designing for Commonwealth Opera, Victory Players, and Williston Theatre. A teacher of arts history at Williston-Northampton School, Dick has composed several operas and many choral works.

Steve Morgan -- Producer -- has been peripherally or totally involved with the VLO since the company's third production, The Mikado, in 1977. He has been seen on stage with VLO in such roles as Roddy Doddy in the 1982 Ruddigore and Arac in the 1981 Princess Ida. Other local community theatre roles include Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Emile deBecque in South Pacific, and the title role in Donizetti's Don Pasquale. He has done much of the labor on the physical improvements to the ARHS stage that have happened over the last 20 years. A member of Actor's Equity Association, Steve was last seen on stage as El Gallo in the Theater Project's Fantasticks and behind the scenes as production stage manager for Hampshire Shakespeare Company.

Kathy Moser -- Assistant Music Director -- is in her sixteenth season with VLO. She started off with a small principal role in the 1980 production of The Gondoliers and has been either a chorus member or a principal in every subsequent show. Kathy's first stint as assistant music director came in 1992, with VLO's second production of The Gondoliers. She also works on props, costumes, publicity, and a variety of other tasks for the company. Kathy teaches vocal music at Frontier Regional High School in South Deerfield.

Linda Stark Patterson -- Producer and Make-up Designer -- returns for her second year with VLO, having designed make-up for last year's production of Orpheus in the Underworld. Linda studied fine art and received a degree in interior design at the University of Connecticut. She also studied painting in Italy and watercolor in New York, under the instruction of two well-known American artists, Sondra Frectleton and Jack Beal. Linda has lived in Amherst for 24 years. She is the mother of four and a grandmother. She has her own cake decorating business and works as a floral designer for Montgomery Florist.

Elaine Walker -- Producer -- has sung soprano in the VLO chorus for many years and served as co-head of the costume crew every year since 1988. This is Elaine's second year as producer with VLO, and she co-founded and produced several musical shows with the St. Brigid Players in Amherst. She also supervises the costume shop for the Theater Program at Hampshire College. Elaine is self-employed as a dressmaker in Amherst.

The Valley Light Opera expresses thanks to the following for helping to make this production possible: the Amherst Regional Schools' Staff for their willingness to make their facilities, equipment, and storage stace available to us for a considerable portion of the year; Jim MacRostie, Gerry Stockman and the Fine Arts Center interns for help and training with lighting equipment maintenance; James Pistrang Computer Resources for adapting his custom ticket-management software from Macintosh to PC; Sally and Bill Venman for year-round general managing; and a grateful twelve-month thanks to Charles F. Hoye, P.A., for assistance in corporate tax matters.

Valley Light Opera, Inc., is a nonprofit Massachusetts corporation founded in 1975 by a group of Gilbert and Sullivan devotees. As a community group, VLO promotes broad participation and produces fine entertainment. Over the years, Valley Light Opera has produced all fourteen of the G&S operas as well as Cox and Box, The Zoo, and Sullivan's oratorio The Prodigal Son. In addition, VLO has performed Jacques Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld, John Philip Sousa's El Capitan, and Warren Martin's The True Story of Cinderella.

The affairs of VLO are in the hands of a Board of Directors elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting in February. Officers of the Board this year are Miriam Jenkins (President), Dick Stromgren (Vice-President), Catherine Bennett (Clerk), Melton Miller (Treasurer), and Cami Elbow (Past President). Members of the Board are Esta Busi, Geert de Vries, Jean Eysenbach, Peter Hirschman, Marese Dolan Hutchinson, Judy Pistrang, Frances Plumer, and Elaine Walker.

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