Photo Flash: Guthrie Theatre's H.M.S PINAFORE

The Guthrie Theater presents Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, which drops anchor on the Wurtele Thrust Stage June 18 - August 28, 2011. Guthrie Artistic Director Joe Dowling helms this splash hit musical which, as previously announced, will feature Twin Cities actor/singers Robert O. Berdahl and Christina Baldwin as Captain Corcoran and Little Buttercup, respectively. Joining the pair will be Constantine Germanacos (Ralph Rackstraw), Seri Johnson (Cousin Hebe), Heather Lindell (Josephine), Jason Simon (Dick Deadeye) and J. Tyler Whitmer (Bob Becket) - all five making their Guthrie debuts - in addition to Robb McKindles (Bill Bobstay) and Peter Thomson (Sir Joseph Porter).

Guthrie favorite Barbara Bryne (Broadway: Sunday in the Park with George, Hay Fever, Into the Woods) hops aboard for a special appearance as Queen Victoria, courtesy of new material by Jeffrey Hatcher, as was notably done for the Guthrie's 2004 staging of The Pirates of Penzance.

The Guthrie cast also features sailors Joseph Bigelow, Nathan Bird, Nathaniel Braga, Alfie Parker, Jr., Adrian Pena, Adam Sarette, Brian Skellenger and Brian Sostek, and sisters/cousins/aunts Lauren Asheim, Timotha Lanae, Molly Sue McDonald, Tinia Moulder, Simone Perrin and Kersten Rodau.

Aleks Knezevich, Nicholas McGough and Laura Rudolph round out the company as swings.

The story takes place aboard a British ship, where Captain Corcoran's (Berdahl) daughter, Josephine (Lindell), has fallen in love with an ordinary sailor, Ralph Rackstraw (Germanacos). As the crew works to get things shipshape for the arrival of Sir Joseph Porter (Thomson), Corcoran's choice for a more sophisticated suitor for his daughter, Josephine decides initially to abide by her father's wishes and marry him. Conventional social order is quickly overturned, however, when Sir Joseph arrives and advocates for the equality of humankind. With a change of heart, however, Josephine declares her love for the ordinary sailor and the two - through the help of the crew, sisters, cousins and aunts - make plans to elope that night. When the captain discovers the plot, a surprise disclosure, as is typical of many Gilbert and Sullivan's works, changes things dramatically.

With its infectious songs, witty libretto and lighthearted satire, this Gilbert and Sullivan blockbuster is among the most crowd-pleasing comic musicals in history, and us destined to make the Guthrie this summer's favorite port of call. Remembered for its dynamite songs, gleefully entertaining story and saucy satire, H.M.S. Pinafore is full of pure joy and sensational entertainment, perfect for everyone, young or old!

The artistic team includes Andrew Cooke (Music Direction, Arrangements and Orchestrations), David Bolger (Choreographer), Frank Hallinan Flood (Set Designer), Fabio Toblini (Costume Designer), Malcolm Rippeth (Lighting Designer), Scott W. Edwards (Sound Designer), Wade Clark (Orchestrations), Adi Yeshaya (Orchestrations), Jo Holcomb (Dramaturgy), Lucinda Holshue (Voice and Dialect Consultant), Chris A. Code (Stage Manager), Martha Kulig (Assistant Stage Manager), Timothy Markus (Assistant Stage Manager) and James McNamara (Assistant Director).

Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore opens June 24 and continues through August 28, 2011, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Single tickets start at $29 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

The GUTHRIE THEATER (Joe Dowling, Director) was founded by Sir Tyrone Guthrie in 1963 and is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. The Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater is dedicated to producing the great works of dramatic literature, developing the work of contemporary playwrights and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. With annual attendance of nearly 500,000 people, the Guthrie Theater presents a mix of classic plays and contemporary work on its three stages. Under the artistic leadership of Joe Dowling since 1995, the Guthrie continues to set a national standard for excellence in theatrical production and performance. In 2006, the Guthrie opened its new home on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the Guthrie Theater houses three state-of-the-art stages, production facilities, classrooms and dramatic public lobbies. www.guthrietheater.org

Photo Credit: © Michal Daniel