The Diablo Light Opera Company will present Sullivan & Gilbert by Ken Ludwig at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, March 23 - April 8, 2001 for ten performances. These two talented men with very different personalities wrote some of the world's most beloved operettas.

Director and choreographer, Sue Ellen Nelsen and Music Director, Alexander Katsman open a door into the lives of Sullivan (Marion Russon) and Gilbert (Michael Manley) as they rehearse the Savoyard principals for a special performance before Queen Victoria in 1890. Gilbert, who also directed the operettas and Richard D'Oyly Carte ( Bill Frey), the producer had planned a wonderful evening of selections from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, HMS Pinafore and other favorites. In the middle of rehearsal, Sullivan suddenly announces that he has asked Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh (Michael McCarty) to sing and dance with the company for this performance. Gilbert is outraged and another of their infamous spats begins. Sullivan had also confessed to Gilbert and his wife Kitty (Sharon Sprecher) that he is smitten with a beautiful blond, setting off a guessing game, but how will Gilbert react when he learns the truth about this mysterious lady?

Violet (Alicia von Kugelgen), a soprano recently hired by D'Oyly Carte is the only fictional character in this "Play with Music" by Ludwig. Recreating the Savoyards are Judy Ryken, T.J. Burnie, Christine Macomber, Jay Krohnegold, Stuart Berg, Robin Taylor, and Matthew Ballin.

Ken Ludwig, author of Lend Me A Tenor has written a wonderfully entertaining script that promises to keep the audience laughing as they listen to the many wonderful and sometimes hilarious Gilbert and Sullivan songs and music.

Tickets are $21.00, student, senior and groups (15 or more) are $18.00. For reservations call the Box Office at 925 943-7469.