ABOUT US
The Ridgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, a nonprofit performing ensemble based in Ridgewood, New Jersey, has presented full productions of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan every fall and spring since its founding in 1937 by Kay and Jack Edson. For over 80 years, we have delighted audiences with the timeless jollity of The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, and H.M.S. Pinafore. As one of the oldest continuing musical theatre groups in the country, we also mount comic operas by Gilbert & Sullivan that are seldom seen elsewhere: Iolanthe, The Yeomen of the Guard, The Gondoliers, The Sorcerer, and several others.
We give full performances in Ridgewood, plus we perform elsewhere in Northern and Central Jersey (Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Ocean counties), Rockland County, New York City, and Connecticut. In addition, we take pride in making opera more accessible to the community by performing several free shows and staged concerts a year at facilities that cater to senior residents, patients, and veterans. We have also donated a series of musical scores, recordings, and books on Gilbert and Sullivan to the Ridgewood Public Library.
Although we are considered a community theatre group, our performers are given a more professional experience due to having a two-month performing schedule and having to learn heavy amounts of vocally challenging repertoire found in virtually all G&S comic operas. Our company members consist of both highly trained music professionals and serious amateurs.
Our talented workers (singers, orchestra, scenery and costume designers, etc.) have made it possible to give productions of professional quality. Young and old G&S fans have thanked us for helping keep alive the great musical entertainment of Gilbert and Sullivan.