Gilbert And Sullivan In Lexington

Chorus Celebrating Generations Of Local Productions

When the Rockbridge Chorus presents “An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan” on April 26, it will be the most recent in a long line of G&S offerings in Lexington. The concert will include selections from “The Mikado,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Iolanthe,” and the full score of the one-act operetta “Trial by Jury.”

The Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire has been a staple of area performances for generations. In fact, in 1944 and again in 1947, “Trial by Jury” was presented, fittingly, in the courtroom of the Rockbridge County Courthouse on Main Street.

The two 1940s productions were organized and directed by the remarkable Mary Monroe Penick, Lexington Presbyterian Church’s organist and choir director. The well-known artist Pierre Daura and his art students created posters and publicity for the 1944 production. And the 1944 printed program is filled with small local ads with trial-themed, humorous quotes such as the Southern Inn’s “We have been Tried by Jury and found GUILTY of serving the best food in Lexington.”

Both 1940s productions were presented by the Blue Ridge Garden Club. The club hoped to raise $150 each time — in 1944 to plant the grounds at the Woodrow Wilson Hospital in Staunton and in 1947 to benefit British Relief.

The Golden Age of Gilbert and Sullivan arrived in Lexington with the full-scale production of five operettas in five years, from 1964 through 1968. It began with “H.M.S. Pinafore” in 1964 and was followed with “Iolanthe” in 1965. After the success of “Iolanthe,” the troupe of enthusiasts formed a board and baptized themselves as the FROGS (Friends and Relations of Gilbert and Sullivan) and produced “The Pirates of Penzance” in 1966, “The Mikado” in 1967 a nd “ Patience” i n 1968. B eginning with “Pinafore,” the first four operettas took place at Waddell School, the last at Lylburn Downing School.

All five FROGS productions were sponsored by the Lexington Kiwanis Club to benefit its scholarship fund. In total, as many as 1,000 people attended the three performances of each production.

Tickets were sold in Lexington at Leggett’s, McCrum’s, Campus Corner, Bierer’s Pharmacy, J. Ed. Deaver and Sons; in Buena Vista at Morgan’s Pharmacy; and by Kiwanis Club and FROGS members. In the beginning tickets were priced at $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. Later the ticket prices rose to $1.50 for adults and 75 cents for children.

Local businesses added to the coffers through in-kind contributions and program ads. Expenses included costumes (some rented, some handmade), lumber for sets, space rental, orchestra parts, and more. After expenses, from $700 to $1,000 was netted each year for the Kiwanis scholarship fund.

These productions received extensive newspaper coverage (with previews, reviews and photographs) in the Rockbridge County News, The News-Gazette, the Buena-Vista News, the VMI Cadet, Washington and Lee’s Ring-tum Phi and the Roanoke Times. Headlines such as “Trial By Jury’ Is A Legal Sensation In Audiences’ Eyes” (Rockbridge County News, April 27, 1944) trumpeted the performances. There were local WREL radio interviews and an occasional Roanoke television appearance. In 1966 an ensemble from “The Pirates of Penzance” appeared in costume on a WSLS morning show.

The FROGS embraced its role in education, introducing children and teenagers to the delightful world of Gilbert and Sullivan. In 1966, several of “The Pirates of Penzance” cast members presented a selection of scenes and songs at a Lexington High School afternoon assembly. And the FROGS opened its “Penzance” final dress rehearsal to children, with 25cent admission charged at the door. Sixth- and seventhgraders from Lylburn Downing School attended.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the FROGS productions was the substantial community involvement from Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County. Faculty and their spouses as well as students from Washington and Lee University, Virginia Military Institute, Southern Seminary, and Lexington High School participated. Each production required a large cast of principals, chorus, and orchestra, as well as a musical director, conductor, stage director, choreographer, set designer, and production coordinator.

An army of volunteers was enlisted for costumes, set painting, stage assistance, props, makeup, publicity, ticket sales, house management, ushers, ticket takers, refreshments, ads and programs, not to mention arrangements for the obligatory cast party. The Kiwanis Club drew upon its business and professional membership to fill many of these logistical roles. Charles Phillips, Washington and Lee professor, Lexington mayor, and Kiwanis member, spearheaded the club’s involvement. The printed programs reflect a veritable who’s who of town and gown. On stage and off, the massive community effort brought together individuals who might otherwise not have had an opportunity to work together.

All hands on deck was certainly a hallmark of these productions. David Dickens, a W&L German professor, noted in a 1967 letter to FROGS that he in successive years had been a chorus member, producer and director, publicity chairman, set designer, and president of the organization.

While regulars continued to devote time and talents, the FROGS welcomed an evolving cast of characters, off-stage and on. Mary Monroe Penick continued her involvement, serving as chorus rehearsal director for “The Pirates of Penzance” and lending her talents in ways not always reflected in the printed programs.

Piano teacher Lois Wilson assumed the role of rehearsal accompanist for all productions. Originally from New Zealand, she found herself coaching the cast in the use of British English.

Flournoy H. “Pinky” Barksdale played the lead tenor role in the 1944 and 1947 productions of “Trial by Jury” and many years later in the 1964 “H.M.S Pinafore.”

There was new talent, too. Philip Booth, a Washington and Lee senior, performed in “Pinafore” and went on to sing more than 400 roles at the Metropolitan Opera.

Alas, after its extraordinary five-year run, the FROGS folded when no one could be found to assume the organizational tasks required. But it had been a glorious run. And there was great fun along the way, as noted in this 1965 News-Gazette “This and That” tidbit: “The ‘Iolanthe’ dress rehearsal took an unexpected twist last week when Mrs. William Sauder who as ‘Iolanthe’ in the play had spent 24 years at the bottom of the stream, solemnly handed the Fairy Queen a jar containing a bull frog, live and kicking.”

Nanalou (the aforementioned Mrs. William) Sauder and Alice Williams, both of whom performed in FROGS productions, reminisce that their children grew up familiar, via osmosis, with the wonderful world of Gilbert and Sullivan.

The 1980s saw a revival of interest in Gilbert and Sullivan when “The Pirates of Penzance” was produced in 1982, followed by “The Mikado” in 1988. Both were performed at the Henry Street Playhouse and Stock Company under the direction of W&L professor of fine arts Albert C. “Al” Gordon.

Local businessman and civic leader, A.W. “Buster” Lewis, played roles in both Henry Street Playhouse productions and says that G&S was always fun and popular, brought people together, and softened the hearts of Lexington.

Artist/musician Virginia Lloyd-Davies sang the lead in the 1988 “Mikado” and is still active in the Rockbridge Chorus today.

William McCorkle served as musical director for that 1988 production. He relates that at the age of 14 he was engaged by Nanalou Sauder as her rehearsal pianist while she prepared the title role of Iolanthe. For him, that early experience planted the seed for his love of Gilbert and Sullivan.

And so, the Gilbert and Sullivan beat goes on - from Mary Monroe Penick, the musical director for the 1940s “Trial by Jury” productions to the equally talented and versatile William McCorkle who will direct the Rockbridge Chorus in “An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan,” on April 26, 2025.