Trial by Jury & The Zoo

The Gilbert & Sullivan Company of El Paso invites you to our 2024 summer production. This year we will feature not one, but two operettas, Trial by Jury & The Zoo.

There is mayhem in the courtroom in "Trial by Jury". Witty, tuneful and filled with sparkling singing, "Trial By Jury" centers on the court case between Mr. Prima and his playgirl fiance Edna, who he is suing for breaking off their engagement. Whose side will the jury choose? The handsome and wronged Mr. Prima or Edna a woman to whom they can relate? And what will the judge rule? In classical Gilbert and Sullivan style, a cast of ludicrous characters including a social climbing judge, smooth attorney and hapless ensemble of jury members back the hysterical plot. In "Trial by Jury" the judge and legal system are objects of lighthearted satire. It is filled with good-humored catchy melodies and is sure to be fun for the whole family.

"The Zoo" centers around two couples and their hilarious and rocky road to true love. Set in London's Zoological Gardens, a modest young chemist, Aesculapius Carboy is desolate and determined to hang himself because he may not marry Laetitia, the daughter of Mr. Grinder, a heartless retired grocer. Eliza Smith, the lady in charge of the zoo refreshment stand, tries to dissuade him. Meanwhile, Eliza is being wooed by Thomas Brown, a man that has a secret identity. He visits her stand every day and buys and eats a vast amount of food to try to impress her. In this fun musical folly, suicide is foiled and identities revealed as the four young lovers overcome differences in wealth and class to live happily ever after.

We are proud to announce that this year, Daniel A. Maciel makes his debut as Artistic Director, for Trial By Jury and Brittney M. Williams makes her debut as Artistic Director for The Zoo. Allen Thompson is our new Vocal Director and Bethany Tredway is our new Piano Accompanist.

The Gilbert & Sullivan Company of El Paso was founded by Joan Quarm (dec.) in 1969 with the purpose of education by preserving and presenting the works of W.S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan.

The company relies on ticket sales for the majority of its operating revenues, and also receives support from the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department.