Dance and Music Reviews : Opening of South Bay ‘Ruddigore’

These days, the Gilbert and Sullivan repertory is approached in some quarters as a rather precious parlor turn, a smirking demi-theatrical in-joke rather than genuine comic opera. How nice then to encounter the honestly sung “Ruddigore” of the South Bay Light Opera Society, Friday at El Camino College’s Marsee Auditorium.

Music director Jackson Schoos got the cast of young professionals, community theater veterans and students to really sing--not invariably accurately or suavely, notably in the very quick patter numbers, but without parlando fakery. As an appreciable bonus, he conducts a bona fide pit orchestra with sympathy and flair.

Stage director and choreographer Doug Vasquez got the cast to observe his largely traditional Savoyard rites as though this were the premiere. In particular, his players looked uncommonly fresh and comfortable in the dancing ensembles and chorus line maneuvers.

The brightest vocal promises came from Linda Johnson, a pretty cliche as Rose Maybud, and Lori Carle as the zesty Mad Margaret. Kim Peterson contributed a solid Dame Hannah, lyrically affecting in “There grew a little flower.”

Though most afflicted by the inconsistencies of the amplification, Robert Guest sang staunchly as a desperately innocent Robin Oakapple/Sir Ruthven. A nervous vibrato betrayed the confident come-on of Mark Gordon’s limber Richard Dauntless, while Donald Bayne supplied a vocally incisive, sardonically pertinent Sir Despard and Don Norton delivered Sir Roderic with plangent authority.

Jan Bonanno designed the attractive costumes, and Mark Wood the decorative and functional sets, lit by Steven Norris with greater regard for the melodramatic moment than for time of day or place.

Performances continue this Friday and Saturday.