Lamplighters Music Theatre
Lamplighters Music Theatre is a semi-professional musical theatre company based in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1952 by Orva Hoskinson and Ann Pool MacNab, the Lamplighters specialize in light opera, particularly the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as such works as The Merry Widow, Die Fledermaus, Of Thee I Sing, My Fair Lady, Candide, and A Little Night Music.[1][2]
History
For the troupe's initial performance, it put on a Patience production by Gilbert & Sullivan in March and April of 1958.[3] In 2011, it put on a production of the H.M.S. Pinafore.[4] They put on the same production with a new cast in 2019.[5] In 2013, the troupe put on Iolanthe.[6]
In 2014, they put on Candide,[7] as well as in 2015.[8][9] In 2016, the truope's rendition of The Mikado was well-reviewed by critics, who found that retelling the tale in Milan instead of Japan removed offensive elements that made the original controversial.[10] Co-founder Orva Hoskinson died on January 26, 2017, after serving in the truope for years as a director and performer.[3] In 2017, the theatre troupe announced Dennis Lickteig as artistic director.[11]
Production style and venues
The company's season usually comprises four productions: a fully staged production in January/February; a staged concert in the spring; a fully staged production in July/August; and a full-length original musical comedy, presented as a champagne gala fundraiser and silent auction, in November. The company also creates educational programs for schools.[12] The Lamplighters' artistic director is Dennis Lickteig, and its musical director is Baker Peeples.[13]
The Lamplighters performed at Harding Theater from 1961 to 1968 and then at the University of San Francisco's Presentation Theater until 1995. Since then, it has performed at San Francisco's Novellus Theater at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek and several other Bay Area theaters.
Critical reception
The San Francisco Chronicle review called the company's 2010 production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience, "a splendid and loving production", commenting that the performance "used the company's long experience of the Savoy operettas to fine effect. At their best, the Lamplighters' productions take an approach to this material that is mindful of tradition without ever seeming musty or warmed over."[14] Talkin' Broadway called the company's Princess Ida "a gorgeous production". .... "The singing of the principals is superior". ... "The chorus work as usual is superb, and the full orchestra is brilliant. The sets and costumes are breathtaking".[15]
References
- ^ Martinfield, Seán. "H.M.S. Pinafore sails the Lamplighters Music Theatre into 55th Season". San Francisco Sentinel, August 2, 2007, accessed April 21, 2010
- ^ Stack, Peter. "A Leading Light in Gilbert and Sullivan". SF Gate, Hearst Communications Inc., January 9, 2000, accessed April 22, 2010
- ^ a b "Lamplighters Music Theatre Mourns the Death of Beloved Co-Founder Orva Hoskinson", Broadway World, BWW News Desk (January 27, 2017)
- ^ "The Lamplighters Music Theatre Boards the H.M.S. Haverford", East Bay Express, Rachel Swan (August 17, 2011)
- ^ "Review: HMS Pinafore", Theater Storm, Charles Kruger (August 23, 2019)
- ^ "Review: Lamplighters Music Theatre delights with “Iolanthe", East Bay Times, Pat Craig (August 12, 2015)
- ^ "Lamplighters Music Theatre presents Candide", Patch.com (December 2, 2014)
- ^ "That’s (Serious) Entertainment: Lillian Hellman’s Bargain With Audiences", American Theatre, Alice Kessler-Harris (February 3, 2017)
- ^ "The Best and Most Troubled of All Possible Musicals", KQED, Sam Hurwitt (February 4, 2015)
- ^ "The Cultural-Appropriation Police Come for Wes Anderson", National Review, Philip H. Devoe (March 29, 2018)
- ^ "Lamplighters Music Theatre Announces Dennis Lickteig as Artistic Director", Broadway World (June 2, 2017)
- ^ "Educational Opportunities with The Lamplighters" Archived 2010-12-05 at the Wayback Machine. Lamplighters' official website, accessed April 22, 2010
- ^ "About Us: Meet the Lamplighters". Lamplighters' official website, accessed May 27, 2016
- ^ Kosman, Joshua. "Operetta review: Lamplighters' Patience. San Francisco Chronicle, January 19, 2010
- ^ Connema, Richard. "Lamplighters Presents a Beautiful Production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Princess Ida". Talkin' Broadway, February 16, 2003, accessed April 22, 2010