Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Grand Duke
CSTHEA’s Gilbert & Sullivan Homeschool Players production of The Grand Duke in 2022 was a great show! Watch the live recording here.
Synopsis Of The Grand Duke
“The Grand Duke, or The Statutory Duel,” is the final comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan. In the market square of Pfennig Halbpfennig, Ernest Dummkopf’s acting troupe is secretly plotting to overthrow Grand Duke Rudolph. Ludwig, the company comedian, inadvertently reveals the conspiracy and duels Ernest, winning the right to report the plot to Rudolph.
Ludwig seizes the opportunity to become the new Grand Duke through a rigged duel. As wedding complications and multiple claims on Ludwig arise, chaos ensues. Eventually, Rudolph and Ernest expose Ludwig, but a legal loophole resolves the conflicts, leading to a happy ending in typical Gilbert & Sullivan fashion.
Photo credit: Abigail Snell. If there is a photo on this page that you took but isn’t credited, please email us if you would like to receive credit.
The Cast & Crew
Principal Actors & Actresses
- Rudoloph (the Grand Duke) – Tobias Macdonald
- Ernest Dummkopf (a Theatrical Manager) – Jonathan Champion
- Ludwig (his Leading Comedian) – Ben DeWitt
- Dr Tannhäuser (a Notary) – Zane Luerssen
- The Prince of Monte Carlo – Ethan Ward
- Viscount Mentone – Travis Reed
- Ben Hashbaz (a Costumier) – William Owens
- The Herald – Nathanael Bulter
- Julia Jellicoe (an English Comédienne) – Abigail Ridgeway
- The Baroness von Krakenfeldt – Tahlia Clark
- The Princess of Monte Carlo – Mercy MacDonald
- Lisa (a Soubrette) – Chayenne Shipley
- Olga – Rachel Oldham
- Gretchen – Annelyse McKenna
- Bertha – Parker Ryan
- Elsa – Alyviah Wooten
- Martha – Rayna Wilson
The Duke’s Chamberlains
- Ryan Bridgforth
- Grant Burton
- Killian GIdcumb
- Andrew Perry
- Travis Reed
- Aaron Uptegrove
The Prince’s Nobles
- Ian Ambrosetti
- Ryan Bridgforth
- Landon Earhart
- Killian Gidcumb
- Andrew Perry
- Travis Reed
Dance Corp
- Caden Dyer
- Parker Ryan
- Somer Taylor
- Rayna Wilson
Chorus
- Ian Ambrosetti
- Ryan Bridgforth
- Grant Burton
- Nathanael Butler
- Josiah Buyno
- Caleb Conkle
- Landon Earhart
- Killian Gidcumb
- William Owens
- Andrew Perry
- CJ Pursley
- Travis Reed
- Micah Sumerlin
- Aaron Uptegrove
- Ethan Ward
- Marissa Barrett
- Olivia Buyno
- Cami Calloway
- Kianna Coleman
- Ella DeWitt
- Abigail Domer
- Caden Dyer
- Evelyn Fortner
- Raine Gidcumb
- Mia Guice
- Noelle Johnson
- Karis Kroeker
- Annelyse McKenna
- Rachel Oldham
- Blaiklyn Owens
- Vivian Perry
- Emily Powers
- Parker Ryan
- Emy Simmons
- Averi Smith
- Jocelyn Taylor
- Somer Taylor
- Erin Ward
- Daci Wilbanks
- Rayna Wilson
- Alyviah Wooten
Design & Construction Team
- Judan Allen
- Keenan Allen
- Luke Bennett
- Eliana Bevil
- Zta Burns
- Kenlee Burton
- Abigail Coleman
- Isaac Conkle
- Jessie Hindman
- Cora Hindman
- Jesse Honeycutt
- Lorelai Jackson
- Tiffany Johnson
- Emme Lowder
- Samantha Mays
- Kenzie Nalley
- Lillie Poarch
- Eliana Powers
- Maxwell Puhlman
- Linley Rogowsky
- Faith Rogowsky
- Isabella Rios
- Emma Rios
- William Russell
- Gracie Sikes
- Abi Snell
- Tate Sumerlin
- Luke Uptegrove
- Elljah Vaughn
- Sarah Vaughn
- Elliot Ward
- Anna Grace Williams
Production Company
- Executive Producers – Nate & Robin Ridgeway
- Theatrical Director – David Karnes
- Director Of Choreography – Maddie Ratchford
- Choral Director – Nate Ridgeway
- Costume Design Lead Seamstress – Debby Vradenburgh
- Set Design & Construction Director – Tyler Owens
- Director Of Props – Pia Macdonald
- Rehearsal Pianist & Orchestra Liaison – Sharon Reed
- Rehearsal Vocal Coaches – Maddie Ratchford, Robin Ridgeway, April Wooten
- Rehearsal Acting Coaches – Robin Ridgeway, David Karnes, April Wooten
- Assistant to the Producers – Nichole Powers
- Stage Manager – Nichole Powers
- Stage Prop Managers – Kenzie Nalley, Jessie Hindman
- Graphic Design & Layout – Ryan Bridgforth
- Assistant DCT Directors – Larry Conkle, Cooper Plotner, Mike Rogowksy, Travis Uptegrove
- Stage Hands – Luke Bennet, Isaac Conkle, William Russel, Luke Uptegrove, Audra Allen
- Seamstresses – Emily Calloway, Mercy Macdonald, Labronda Champion, Yvonne Clark, Kaley Duckhut, Annelyse McKenna, Nicole Owens, Alana Clark
- Props Procurement & Creation – Rebecca Luerssen, Tyler Owens
- Hair & Makeup – Emily Calloway, Yvonne Clark, Nicole Owens, Kim Pursley, Ally Smith, Debby Vradenburg