In the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Societys production of one of the duos least-staged works, Gilberts satire on womens education is nowhere near as wince-making as it could be, thanks largely to soprano Amanda Brown in the title role, combining charm, shrewdness, and Shakespearean gravitas as the proto-feminist/separatist who founds a womens college despite her betrothal to a neighboring prince. Of course Gilbert doesnt let his male characters go unskewered, either, and the production entertainingly plays this up: theyre mostly all either fops or dolts. With Dave Ross as a misanthropic king and some of Sullivans most sophisticated music, it makes for a smart and bubbly evening (which will get even smarter and bubblier once the cast polishes up their diction, both singing and speaking). 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., also 2 p.m. Sat. Ends July 28.
Princess Ida
Operetta
