I generally do not like to post negative comments about Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Goodness knows that they are camped up and made fun of enough without our contributing to it!

However, because the Wall Street Journal ran this interview with Gabriel Bryne, who is starring in a semi-staged concert version of Camelot, this mention of Jeanette and Nelson has been read by many.

Hopefully the old adage of “any publicity is better than no publicity” works here – and at least they spelled their names correctly! 🙂

Gabriel Byrne’s quote:

“I’m not required to be Plácido Domingo,” Mr. Byrne said. “But I do have to work with trumpets and violins and drums. And I’ve never been sung to before, except by my mother, in an unself-conscious way. My idea of musical acting had always been Nelson Eddy and Jeannette MacDonald, in the movies, giving each other those amazingly fake looks. I hoped I wouldn’t have to do that! When I look into Marin’s face and hear that incredible voice coming at me, I find that very moving.”

Hmm…methinks we should send Mr. Byrne a copy of Maytime to watch, what do you think?

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Wow – who knew this company was still in business, 108 years young?

If you have read my book Nelson Eddy: The Opera Years, you know that Nelson sang Gilbert and Sullivan in his early career with the Savoy Company of Philadelphia.

Now comes word that their latest G&S production, Patience, begins on May 30.

If you live in the Philly area, make sure to check it out.

Press release:

“The Savoy Company of Philadelphia presents ‘Patience’ on May 30 and 31, both at 8 p.m. at The Academy of Music and again on June 13 and June 14, both at 8:30 PM at Longwood Gardens. Tickets at $25 to Long-wood Gardens and $10-$52 at the Academy of Music are available by calling 215-735-7161 or online at www.savoy.org. Proceeds from the two evenings at the Academy of Music will benefit the American Cancer Society Childhood Cancer Program and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Society. Proceeds from the two Long-wood Garden performances will benefit Camphill Special School, The Wharton Esherick Museum, Daemion House, Surrey Services for Seniors, Child Advocates (SCCA), PASW, and Bayard Taylor Library of Kennett Square, PA.Patience, Gilbert & Sullivan’s sixth collaboration, contains some of Sullivan’s most beloved and recognizable melodies and a quintessential Gilbertian libretto. The colorful story is a hilarious send-up of the egotistical, self-important artist and the affectations of the day, and its reflections on the fickle nature of star fame remain just as relevant today.

“Patience is directed by Samuel Griffin who continues a family tradition of Savoy involvement, his father having directed for the Savoy Company for twenty years. Roberta Morell, who performed with the original D’Oyle Carte Company in London until its dissolution in the early 1990s, serves as the production’s Directing Consultant, teaching the traditional movements based on Gilbert & Sullivan’s own notes. Roxborough’s Margaret Scovell and Ken Scovell, clergyman at Roxborough Baptist Church, have been involved with Savoy for the past three years. This is the first year that their daughter Elizabeth, a preschool teacher at Gods Garden Preschool, is in the company.

“The Savoy Company is the oldest amateur theater company in the world dedicated solely to the production of the works of Gilbert & Sullivan. Now in its 108th year, the casts, comprised of local talent, have included such luminaries as Nelson Eddy, Metropolitan soprano Margaret Harshaw and Broadway star Wilbur Evans.

“This year our membership grew significantly to create one of the strongest choruses in our history. This increase, especially with younger members, reflects the ongoing, inter-generational appeal of Gilbert & Sullivan, from the beautiful melodies of Sullivan to the satiric delights of Gilbert, which still bear relevance today,” said Dan Rothermel, who is celebrating his 28th season as music director of the Savoy Company.”

For further info, call 215-735-7161.

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