User:Joewhite/Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston



The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston (also known as the Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society or HGNS) is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve and promote the works of Sir William Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan through the production of live musical theater. Despite being an all-volunteer organization, it presents professional performances of the Savoy operas each summer in Houston, Texas. In addition, the Society provides scholarships to vocal performance and theater tech students.

History
The Society was founded in 1952 by small group of Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts headed by Kinkaid School headmaster John Cooper and University of Houston music chair Dr. Merrills Lewis.

The company now presents four to six shows each summer and has an operating budget of $380,000 (2016–17 season). Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston performances are held at the Wortham Theater Center in the Roy and Lillie Cullen Theater, which seats 1,100.

Musical Forces
For their orchestra, the Society contracts with local professional musicians, whose numbers vary depending upon the production. Dr. Merrills Lewis, the founding music director, led every year's production save one from 1952 to 1974. Dr. Robert Linder, who joined the Society as Dr. Lewis' assistant in 1962, took over in 1975. Linder, who also served as dean of music for Houston Baptist University and conductor for Theatre Under the Stars (Houston), was music director through his fortieth season with the group, retiring in 2002. Dr. Clifford Evans assumed the baton from 2003-2006, and now the Society is led by Dr. Brain Runnels.

USA

 * Princess Ida, Austin PBS, 1974, Emmy Nomination

Audio Recordings

 * The Pirates of Penzance, 2001
 * The Sorcerer, 2002
 * Trial by Jury/"H.M.S. Pinafore", 2006

Nationally televised productions

 * Princess Ida, Austin PBS, 1974