OGASP doesn't let Guard down

Long running Gilbert & Sullivan tradition continues to thrive in Warner

The Oberlin Gilbert and Sullivan Players are at it again. This time, the play is The Yeomen of the Guard, and the tone is more serious than the usual frivolity incited by the dynamic duo.

The plot opens as Phoebe Merryl, beautifully acted and sung by Conservatory first-year Mary-Louise Schneider, laments the imminent death of Colonel Fairfax, with whom she is in love and who is currently imprisoned in the tower but in one hour's time will be beheaded. Phoebe, her father and her brother Leonard secretly plot to save Fairfax's life with a disguise, which is very effective thanks to the colorful Yeomen costumes that cleverly represent British guard uniforms.

Enter the strolling jester Jack Point (first-year Dan Ronco) and his fiancée, singer Elsie Maynard, played exquisitely by Conservatory first-year Rachel Samberg. Point becomes appropriately slimy, especially to modern audiences and to feminists in particular, when he essentially sells Elsie into marrying Fairfax.

Even more slimy and devious is first-year Alex Whybrow, as Head Jailer and Wilfred Shadbolt. Whybrow is absolutely delightful, taking great pride in being pompous and conniving.

Among other numerous outstanding performances are Conservatory sophomore Jason Epps as the Lieutenant of the Tower, first-year Aaron Welch as Colonel Fairfax and first-year Duncan Gale, whose performance as Sergeant Merryl is one of the best in the show.

The Act II quartet "Strange Adventure" is touching and absolutely beautiful, thanks largely to the voices of Gale, Welch and first-years Viviana Westbrook and Rachel Sass, who is superb as both Leonard Merryl and as incidental character Kate.

One of the highlights of this cast is the wonderful chemistry among its characters. Every actor knows exactly how to interact with every other actor, which is one of Carmichael's major goals as director.

"Gilbert was a bit of a nihilist when it comes to relationships," said Carmichael. The relationships depart from character and audience expectations. One song in particular, "When a wooer goes a-wooing," illustrates just how twisted matters of the heart can become. Cast, chorus, pit and crew all deserve ovations. Yeomen's bittersweet nature and brilliant execution is sure to strike a chord in the hearts of all who see it, and quite simply, all should see it.

OGASP's Yeoman of the Guard will be performed in Wilder Main.

Dancing ladies: Gilbert and Sullivan's latest masterpiece will be performed at Peters Hall this weekend. (photo courtesy of Areca Treon)