Outdoor operetta — Gilbert & Sullivan's 'Gondoliers' to take the stage at Deer Valley

Not only are Steichen and Weinmann reunited for yet another Gilbert and Sullivan romp, so are the singers.

With very few exceptions, the cast is the same as it has been for the other productions. Dyer (Marco) and Vroman (Gianetta) are together again, and as they tell it, that suits them just fine. "I call Lisa my summer fling," Dyer said with a laugh. "It's great to be back with her and Jerry and everyone else."

"George and I get along so well," Vroman said. "He's generous and a talented performer. And I'm looking forward to working with Michael and Melissa again," referring to Michael Wanko and Melissa Parks, who play the Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro. "It's a great gift to be here."

Dyer comes to "The Gondoliers" with some familiarity. When he was a member of Utah Opera's inaugural young artists program back in 1992, he learned a few pieces from the show. "We did a Gilbert and Sullivan program on Temple Square," he said, "and I sang several numbers from 'The Gondoliers."'

That came in handy for him now. "It's amazing how those numbers came back to me so easily. It's a great show, but it's not an easy sing. You have to really be a good singer to do it well."

As with the previous Gilbert & Sullivan productions, "The Gondoliers" will be fully staged and costumed. "The staging is adorable," Steichen said. "The costumes are colorful, and the set outdoes itself this year."

Also performing are Ryan McPherson (Luiz), Derrick Parker (Don Alhambra, the Grand Inquisitor), James Rollins (Antonio), Heather Parker (Casilda) and Anne Cullimore Decker (Inez).

If you go

What: "The Gondoliers," Utah Opera

Where: Deer Valley Outdoor Amphitheater

When: Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

How much: reserved seating, $50; lawn, $25 adults, $12 students; $75 family pass

Phone: 355-2787 or 888-451-2787

Web: www.deervalleymusicfestival.org

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E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com