Throughout the year, many different groups and gilds have helped the Museum with our celebration on the current exhibition – Authors of the Ardens. On Sunday, May 15th , the Ardensingers capped this event-filled year with a rousing performance of Grubb’s Corner, an operetta with lyrics by Frank Stephens set to the music of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Stephens wrote the piece to tell the story behind all the groups involved in the settlement of this area, although it contains only a little actual history – it is mainly all about the music. The operetta debuted in 1932 and was last performed around 1992. There are Quakers, Swedes, Dutch, English, pirates, and Native Americans all mixed together in the story. Fortunately the Ardensingers provided identifying signs so each group could be recognized!
The Ardensingers gave a splendid performance full of energy and enthusiasm. Although they were packed into the Museum galleries they did not let that hindered their efforts. The audience really appreciated all the hard work and all the splendid music. Many thanks to the Ardensingers for their performance – they made one of our most well known authors come alive. Frank Stephens would have loved it!
