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A perfectly complex operetta

A many-costumed cast of up to 40 actors will tackle Gilbert and Sullivan's almost three-hour long Utopia Limited in Tarpon Springs.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN
Published March 16, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS - Of all the works by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, the operetta Utopia Limited or the Flowers of Progress is probably performed the least.

That could be due to its length (nearly three hours) the size of the cast (up to 40 people) or the number of elaborate costumes, said Jamie Bierchen, the force behind the local Gilbert & Sullivan Players and frequent performer in and director of the shows.

"Everyone in the show has at least two costumes," he said.

Still, the plot spoofs the vital role political parties play in society, making Utopia a perfect election-week production.

The show's darkly cynical view of government is cheerily obscured by the twittering romances between various characters and chirpy singing of the chorus.

Despite the challenges, Bierchen and his sizable cast are doing Utopia starting today and continuing next weekend at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center inside City Hall.

So many people auditioned for the show that six of the main roles were double-cast to give a dozen eager players a chance to perform significant parts.

The story takes place in the 1860s on the mythical South Sea island of Utopia, where King Paramount, played by Bruce Taylor, supposedly reigns supreme. In reality, he is completely controlled by two judges of the Utopian Supreme Court, the wily Phantis (played by John Smith and John Bierchen) and Scaphio (Mitch Levine and Jamie Bierchen), who have the power to have the king blown up by Tarara, the Public Exploder (Rick Bronson and Eric Weber), if the king displeases them.

King Paramount decides that he wants to turn his little kingdom into a perfect society based, of course, on that most perfect of societies: England.

He hires the English governess Lady Sophy, portrayed by Sara Buckley, for his two youngest daughters, Princess Nikaya (Lauren Weber, Katherine Grace) and Princess Kalyba (Julie Krauss, Lauren Bronson). He then sends his eldest daughter, Princess Zara (Susan Carr), to school in England.

Princess Zara returns five years later, bringing with her six members of the English elite, called "The Flowers of Progress," who will instruct the islanders in the ways of their land.

They do such a good job that there are no more wars, no filth to cause illness, and no poverty or greed to cause crime, which puts the army, navy, doctors, police and lawyers out of work and wrecks the economy.

At that point, Princess Zara remembers that political parties cause so much turmoil and dissent that all peace and progress ends.

The out-of-work soldiers, health workers and law enforcement officers once more become essential, the economy is saved and everyone is happy again.

If you go

Gilbert & Sullivan's 'Utopia Limited'

Where: Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, inside City Hall, 324 E Pine St.

When: 8 p.m. today, Saturday, March 22 and 24 (not 23), and 2 p.m. Sunday and March 25.

Tickets: $16 adults; $14 for center members and students. Call (727) 942-5605.

[Last modified March 15, 2007, 23:15:58]