CAST LIST for The Grand Duke
Fall 2026
In Gilbert & Sullivan's ultimate collaboration, a troupe of actors conspires to overthrow the unpopular and miserly Grand Duke. Things go awry when their plot is accidentally revealed, prompting a series of disputes and political successions settled by "statutory" duel—an ingenious law that renders the legal death of the adversary who draws the lowest from a deck of cards. Hilarious entanglements, including thwarted marriages and questionable legal contracts, imbue this topsy-turvy comic opera with a wit and charm that only Gilbert and Sullivan can contrive. Never fear, a lawyer solves the problem and all ends happily.
Directors
- Stage Director
Julie May - Music Director
Florrie Marks - Choreographer
Susan Greene
Actors
- Rudolph (Grand Duke of Pfennig-Halbpfennig)
Rob Hull - Ernest Dummkopf (a Theatrical Manager)
Chris Rubino - Ludwig (his Leading Comedian)
Peter Beik - Dr. Tannhäuser (a Notary)
Sean O'Donnell - The Prince of Monte Carlo
Jeff Swafford - Viscount Mentone
to be cast - Ben Hashbaz (a Costumier)
to be cast - Herald
Ray Murphy - The Princess of Monte Carlo (Betrothed to Rudolph)
Meagan Rubino - The Baroness von Krakenfeldt (Betrothed to Rudolph)
Brenda Rose Simkin - Julia Jellicoe (an English Comédienne)
Mary Punshon -
Rob Hull -
Chris Rubino -
Peter Beik -
Sean O'Donnell -
Jeff Swafford - Viscount Mentone
to be cast - Ben Hashbaz (a Costumier)
to be cast - Herald
Ray Murphy -
Meagan Rubino -
Brenda Rose Simkin -
Mary Punshon - Lisa (a Soubrette)
Laura Hull - Don Cheetham
-
Colin Dahms -
Mike Dutka -
Lisa Franks -
Jocelyn Hall -
Jennifer Heller -
Roger Kennedy -
Doug Kurtze -
Marie Maguire -
Paula McGeary -
Albert Melli -
Robert Moore -
Steve Naz - Caroline Pashos
-
Brian Rubino -
Joyce Severin
Bios
Don Cheetham (Ensemble) Previous RVCO shows include parts as Gatch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Giorgio in The Gondoliers, Dave Miller in State Fair, the Steward in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Andrew McLaren in Brigadoon, and chorus in several other musicals. Other favorite roles include two in Our Town – Editor Webb (Barley Sheaf Players) and Simon Stimson (St. Peter's Players), as well as Paul Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You (Barley Sheaf Players.) Back to top
Caroline Pashos (Ensemble) is excited to return to the stage with RVCO for her seccond season after performing in The Gondoliers and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying last year. She also performs with the Delaware Valley Opera Company, where she serves on the Board of Directors and as the Chorus Manager. Her credits with them include 14 operas from Carmen to The Merry Widow to Le nozze di Figaro, as well as singing the role of Sister Martha in Dialogues of the Carmelites. She also sings in the choir of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansdale, PA. In 2017, she graduated in from Temple University with a BA in Theatre. Outside of theatre, she loves aviation, nature, roller coasters, and sports. Back to top