The Gondoliers
Often celebrated as one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most musically radiant works, The Gondoliers blends infectious melodies with sharp satire and heartfelt charm. Set between the canals of Venice and the distant kingdom of Barataria, the story follows two carefree gondoliers, Marco and Giuseppe, who discover that one of them has unknowingly been raised as a king. Unable to determine which brother holds the crown, they agree to rule jointly—bringing their egalitarian ideals to court while their new brides, Gianetta and Tessa, navigate love, loyalty, and royal uncertainty. Meanwhile, the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro and their daughter Casilda complicates matters further, as questions of identity, duty, and marriage come to a head. Filled with lively ensembles, romantic intrigue, and playful commentary on class and governance, The Gondoliers stands as a joyful and exuberant finale to the Gilbert and Sullivan canon.
The Company’s 2026 production of The Gondoliers continued the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company’s long-standing tradition of bringing vibrant, thoughtful, and musically rich operetta to Chicago audiences.
Production Team
Shane Valenzi, Artistic Director
Matthew Sheppard, Music Director
Daniel King, Supervising Associate Director
Mary Nora Wolf, Choreographer
Shelby Krarup, Production Stage Manager
Nancy Levner, Producer
Noah Friedlander, Associate Producer
Cast
Alexander Spence | Marco
Wesley Diener | Giuseppe
Ryan P. C. Trimble | Duke of Plaza Toro
Naomi Brigell | Duchess of Plaza Toro
Kathryn Riopel | Casilda
Molly Clementz | Tessa
Anna Caldwell | Gianetta
Gabe Levi | Don Alhambra
Brett Sweeney | Luiz
Tessa Newman | Fiametta
Al Kassouf | Vittoria
Cameron Kidd | Giulia
Liam Gannon | Antonio / Annibale
Conor Broaders | Giorgio / Attendant
Ryan Kirk | Francesco (u/s Marco)
Elliot Kovitz | Attendant (u/s Don Alhambra)
Sara Stern | Inez
Jordy Betancourt-Vargas (u/s Luiz)
Noah Friedlander
Matthew Hauser
Lorenzo Parnell
Benjamin Recchie
Jonathan Rodney
Andy Terwilliger
Sasha Tomasevich
Ensemble
Sophia Altamirano
Katarina Bakas (u/s Tessa)
Stephanie Chiodras (u/s Casilda)
Gabrielle Goudard
Shannon Johnson (u/s Gianetta)
Emma Mize
Marie Sauze
Mary Nora Wolf (u/s Duchess)
Jamie Woodhull
