Friday, October 2, 2026
A small group of opera fans gathered at the East Meadow United Methodist Church on June 13 for the opening day of the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island’s 2026 production of “The Yeomen of the Guard.”
Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic opera debuted in 1888, with book and lyrics by W.S. Gilbert and music by Arthur Sullivan. The production is known for its dramatic story and its cherished score, which includes such famous songs as “Is Life a Boon,” “I Have a Song to Sing, O!” and “Strange Adventure.”
“’The Yeomen of the Guard’ has a depth and realism that’s unique in the Savoy operas,” said Gayden Wren, a longtime member of the company and also the author of an acclaimed book about Gilbert and Sullivan. “There are laughs and there’s melodramatic drama as well, but it all grows out of the characters.”
The story is set in the Tower of London during the 1510s, during the reign of King Henry VIII. “The Yeomen of the Guard” follows the fate of the charismatic Colonel Fairfax, who has been unjustly imprisoned and is scheduled to be executed within the hour.
Phoebe Meryll, who has fallen in love with Fairfax, joins her father, Sergeant Meryll of the Yeomen of the Guard — bodyguards of the British monarch — and her brother in a daring plot to save him.
Their plan initially succeeds, but soon draws in Jack Point and Elsie Maynard, a pair of traveling performers appearing at the Tower on the day of the execution. As the scheme grows more complicated, Fairfax and his would-be rescuers find themselves facing the very real threat of arrest, imprisonment and even execution.
The opera is known for its rich music, historical setting and unusual blend of comedy, romance and tragedy.
This year’s production features a cast drawn from communities across Long Island and Queens. Chris Diamond, of Glen Cove, and Kara Vertucci, of Lindenhurst, star as Jack Point and Elsie Maynard, while Isabela Gaskill, of Bay Shore, and Ian Joyal, of New Hyde Park, portray characters Phoebe Meryll and Wilfred Shadbolt. The cast also includes David Aubrey, of Great Neck, Julian Evan Hernandez, of Jericho, and Thomas Dean, of Baldwin, as the wrongly condemned Colonel Fairfax.
Terry Hochler, of East Meadow, appears as Dame Carruthers, alongside Delaney Page, of Bay Shore, as Kate. Rounding out the main cast are Ben Salers, of Northport, as the Lieutenant of the Tower, with Wren, of Queens, and Daniel Halbstein, of Plainview, as the First and Second Yeomen. Wren also directs the production, with Stephen O’Leary, of Baldwin, serving as music director.
The Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company has been active on Long Island for more than 70 years. The East Meadow United Methodist Church has hosted other performances by the company. The church’s pastor, Heejo Lee, previously told the Herald that hosting unique events helps the church stay connected to the community.
“I want our community to know that there’s a church who likes to be with the community, and do something with the community,” he said.
The opening show at the church was small and intimate with an audience of around 15 attendees. The opera company plans to perform at larger venues throughout the island in June.
Hochler said that while the performance at the church was a little challenging because there was only one entrance to the stage, she thought the performance went very well and expressed excitement for the upcoming productions.
“I think you're going to get the full effect of 30 really wonderful singers in full costumes with sets and a great orchestra, and it's going to be even more exciting with all of those elements,” she said.
“It’s breathtaking, one of the best works of musical theater ever written,” Wren said of the show. “It takes a lot to mount this show, in terms of talent, money, musicians and so forth, so we don’t do it often. But when it comes up, we’re thrilled.”
For those interested in seeing the show at a large venue, the opera will be staged at the Madison Theatre at Molloy University on June 28 at 3 p.m. Tickets range in price from $35 to $40.
For more information, visit MadisonTheatre.org or call (516) 323-4444.
