our 2025-2026 Performance season Continues!

Gilbert and Sullivan's only tragicomic opera, the thrilling The Yeomen of the Guard, or the Merryman and his Maid, rounds out the season. It will be presented at Amherst Community Church, fully staged and with an orchestra, on April 24 & May 1 at 7:30 pm and April 26 & May 3 at 2:00 pm. 

The production features Holly Bewlay and Tim Lane, who starred in last year's The Merry Widow, in the roles of Elsie Maynard and Jack Point, two strolling players performing at the Tower of London during the reign of Henry the Eighth. John Clayton is the heroic Captain Fairfax, a prisoner condemned to death, while Ken Schlimgen, Mariami Bekauri, and Ben Dunevitz are Sergeant Merryl and his children Phoebe and Leonard, a family determined to rescue Fairfax despite the risks. Ted Smeltz plays Phoebe's unwelcome suitor the Head Jailer and Assistant Tormenter Wilfred Shadbolt, Mariangela Mercurio is the Tower's housekeeper Dame Carruthers, Trinity Ridout is her niece Kate, and Ralph Valente is Sir Richard Cholmondeley. Nicholas Mark Czaplicki and Mark Fulk lead the chorus of yeomen and townspeople. 

Tickets are $30 for general admission, $20 for seniors (65+), $15 for students (19+), and free for youth aged 18 and under. (We recommend the opera for children over the age of 8.) Up to four youth tickets may be reserved with any other ticket purchase. Tickets are available at https://operalytes.booktix.com. Tickets also may be purchased at the door using cash, check, or Venmo. 

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