DC Players present “H.M.S. Pinafore” Oct 21-24

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College’s DC Players will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore,” on Oct. 21-23 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. in Schomburg Auditorium. Aboard the British ship H.M.S. Pinafore, the captain's daughter, Josephine, is in love with a lower-class sailor, Ralph, although her father intends her to marry Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty. She abides by her father's wishes at first, but Sir Joseph's advocacy of the equality of humankind encourages Ralph and Josephine to overturn conventional social order. They declare their love for each other and eventually plan to elope. The captain discovers this plan, but, as in many of the Gilbert and Sullivan musicals, a surprise disclosure changes things dramatically near the end of the story.

“Pinafore” stars DC students: Mark Vandevender, Westlake, as Ralph Rickstraw; Jared James, North Baltimore, as Bill Bobstay; Kaitlin Switzer, Defiance, as Cousin Hebe. Playing the sisters, cousins and aunts are Andrea Galbraith, Medina; Lindsay Zwiebel, Napoleon; Sara Lanley, New Paris; Aubrie Ridinger, Grafton; Shannon Yelder, Defiance; Olivia Ehrle, Franklin, Ind.; and Samantha Davis, Grover Hill. Playing the sailors and marines are Anthony Jamison, Cleveland; Joemese Scott, Oviedo, Fla.; Joshua Bowie-Williams, Toledo; Andy Ullom, Newark; and Zack Lee, Sherwood.

Also starring are DC administrator Ken Wetstein as Joseph Porter and DC professor Matt Young as Captain Corcoran; Matt Mt. Castle as Dick Deadeye; Marv Mt. Castle as Bob Becket; Anna Yoder as Josephine, and Shelley Murcko as Little Buttercup. Playing the sisters, cousins and aunts are Jenny Schink, Janet Lyne, Makensie Dietrich, Bianca Braines, Gri-Aa Lee, Rebecca Stites, Tina Fisher, Julie Mt. Castle, Karen Bergman, Julie Swan, and Tessa Gutierrez. Playing the sailors and marines are DC professors Don Knueve and Kristin Sorensen, Aaron Burwell, Max Lydum, Joon Boen Seo, and David Zwiebel.

All seating for the show is by reservation. Adult admission is $10 and students under age 18 are $8. Reservations can be made by calling Carolyn Gilgenbach at 419-783-2462 or by e-mail cgilgenbach@defiance.edu

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.

October 8, 2010