The Gilbert and Sullivan Newsletter Archive

The Trumpet Bray

NEGASS
New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society
P. O. Box 367, Arlington, MA 02174-0004

"Ye torrents roar! Ye tempests howl!"

Vol. XXI, No. 2
September/October 1996


For whatever may be due, I'll pay it double!
DOUBLEMEETING BRAY!

OCTOBER 6 at 3:00 PM
OCTOBER 20 at 2:00 PM

[Oh, weep with Us: Our fancy home computer is dead. We are typing onto an ancient laptop, using a minimal text editor. We hope to return soon with a new, improved machine, with new, improved software as well! but for now, please forgive Us this thin and disappointing issue mlc]

COX AND BOX IN BOSTON: On Sunday, October 6 at 3 PM, we'll meet at the Church of the New Jerusalem in Boston to enjoy a performance of the Janus Opera Company's production of Cox and Box. Since Janus Opera is the company created and directed by NEGASS stalward Juliette Cunningham and her consort, Matt Oliva, we know we'll all have a splendid time!

HOW TO GET THERE: The Church of the New Jerusalem is nestled into the bottom floors of an apartment building, the Boston View, at 130140 Bowdoin Street, across the street from a side entrance to the State House. In addition to easy T access, free parking is available in the apartment house's lot. Program Chair Peter Cameron tells Us:

FROM THE WEST: Take the Mass. Pike to the end, off at Exit For Downtown Boston; go left on Kneeland Street; continue to Charles Street; go right on Charles Street to Beacon Street; go right on Beacon Street past the State House; take next left onto Bowdoin Street; turn right after an awning marked "Boston View" (which is opposite an alley under the State House); turn right into an alley; proceed to a sign which says "Sound Horn" DO NOT SOUND HORN; drive to the door; get the attention of the attendent, tell him you are there for the afternoon meeting at the church; he will show you where to park. You need to give your keys to the attendent. We are assured that the attendents are very reliable.

FROM THE NORTH: Take I93 south to Storrow Drive; go to Cambridge Street; go up Cambridge Street; go right on Bowdoin Street; then, because Bowdoin Street is one way, go around the State House right, left, right, left onto Beacon Street; then follow directions above.

BY "T": Take the Red or Green Line to Park Street; walk up Beacon Street, walk around the State House to Bowdoin Street; GO INTO the Boston View, not the church entrance.

FROM THE SAVOY TO BROADWAY at the Newton Library: On October 20 at 2:00 PM we'll meet yet again, this time in Newton,for another enjoyable afternoon. This will include the eagerlyawaited program presented by Benjamin Sears and Bradford Conner, in which our favorite American popular music is traced to the souce from which it comes: G&S! In Bradford's words:

We would like to... show and explain the borrowings of America's Tin Pan Alley and Broadway songwriters from the exalted masters of British Comic Operetta... Just as a point of fact, the works of G&S were major influences on the composers and lyricists of America's golden era, and for those people who know and love G&S the connections will be obvious.

The program, more entertainment than scholarly presentation, [will] include selections like "That Lost Barbershop Chord" (yes, you've guessed correctly where the title came from and the music, too), "She Hangs Out," "Mine" (a great counterpoint duet in the style of "How beautifully blue the sky" from PIRATES), "Isn't It Horrible What They Did to Mary, Queen of Scots," and "Never Bedevil the Devil"... It will also include many songs by Ira and George Gershwin (our specialty), songs with lyrics by E. Y. "Yip" Harburg (lyricist of FINIAN'S RAINBOW and THE WIZARD OF OZ) and other appropriate selections...

[NEGASSers who have seen performances by Sears and Conner have assured Us that their work is quite professional, and lots of fun. In fact, if We understand correctly the information We have received, the pair have produced a professionalquality CD, which will be offered as a door prize at the meeting.]

HOW TO GET THERE: The Newton Free Library is located at 330 Homer Street, Newton Center, across from City Hall. (There's a nice big parking lot belonging to the library!) From Route 128, take Rt. 30 (Commonwealth Ave) to the central Newton Intersection of Commonwealth Ave., Lowell St., North St. and Homer, which angles off Comm. Ave to the right.

We were informed some time ago that the Connecticut G&S Society planned PATIENCE for October but, bereft of email as We are, We have heard no further news. Anyone know what's happening?

NEXT MEETING After the Newton Library program on October 20, we'll be meeting on November 17 or 24 for a discussion with Ric Wilson, former curator of the Morgan Library G&S Archives. We heard him speak in Philly this summer he's worth hearing!

The next Bray deadline will be November 3. The next BrayStuffing will be November 10 at 3 PM at Our home in East Arlington. Call Us at (617) 6469115 for more info! (We certainly hope We'll have a functional computer by then!) mlc

Do any contemporary NEGASSers recognize these faces? (Hint: Photo provided by Ruth Colson.)

Page created 28 Nov 1996