OCEAN COUNTY – Jersey Shore Light Opera (JSLO) will present its first production, “Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore,” brought together by a veteran-owned company looking to bring their talents to the local stage at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts.
Directed by Francis Rella, the production tells a nautical story about duty, hidden truths and love’s ability to overcome obstacles. “H.M.S Pinafore” will be playing from July 30 through August 2, marking the inaugural season for JSLO.
Musical Director Tammy Rella sat down with The Toms River Times before a rehearsal to talk about the new, family-run production. Her husband, Francis Rella is the Executive Director of JSLO. Their daughter Rose Rella handles scenic design for this production, but previously performed at the Chain Theatre One-Act Festival in New York City.
Tammy Rella points the inspiration behind the company’s choice to play “H.M.S Pinafore” to Francis Rella’s work at the Light Opera in Manhattan. She said he wanted to bring their repertoire to the area, as companies in the area tend to play modern musicals.
“They focused on what we want to do,” Rella said, “more not necessarily modern musicals, but we want to do Gilbert and Sullivan, light opera, and maybe eventually golden age musicals.”
With many of the cast and producers sharing a connection to the Air Force, Rella said they market themselves as a veteran-run organization. The production’s lead male toured with the Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the Air Force, bringing his talents from the professional stage to this local company.
“We are fortunate to have him available to work with us,” she said.
The cast is a mix of experienced and new actors, allowing the team to grow together before the productions’ debut.
“There’s growing pains, obviously, when you have a big gap in experience, but that’s okay,” she said. “And I have to say, too, that this cast has really formed a really good cohesive bond. They’re really supportive of each other.”
Compared to other companies in the area, Rella said their goal is to provide workshops to locals and work as a professional company to play more than one production a year.
“There are a lot of community theaters around, but this is what we consider to be a professional company, because the actors and musicians are all going to be paid,” she said.
As the company prepares for its debut, Tammy said the process has been made easier by the support of the community and their involvement in the show.
“It’s kind of a family affair,” Rella said, “and we’re lucky enough to find a lot of local talent here, that’s really exciting, and they’re really great to work with.”
Tickets for “Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore,” can be purchased at grunincenter.org/events/gilbert-and-sullivans-h-m-s-pinafore/. More information about the company is available at jslo.org.
