SOLD OUT!

The Houston Gilbert & Sullivan Society presents its annual “Auction of Arias” gala on March 7—always a lively, entertaining evening, and this year a celebration of the Society’s 75th anniversary season as Houston’s longest-running opera company.

Set in the elegant Baker Institute Grand Hall at Rice University, the evening begins with an open bar and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a three-course dinner. Society artists—drawn from past productions and the upcoming summer show, The Gondoliers—will perform Gilbert & Sullivan favorites, celebrated arias, and beloved musical theater standards, offering a “menu” of songs highlighting the operettas that helped lay the foundation for modern musical theater.

In a unique fundraising twist, audience members bid to choose which songs will accompany each course of their meal. With a limited number of songs performed with each course, guests will need to bid well to ensure their favorite song is heard. In effect, gala guests get to direct the evening’s entertainment with their pocketbooks.

Appetizer Song Menu (choice of three)

Pantelis Karastamatis Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes – The Gondoliers – Gilbert & Sullivan

Riley Vagis Cheerily Carols the Lark – Ruddigore – Gilbert & Sullivan

Riley Ortega Je Veux Vivre – Romeo et Juliette – Gounod 

Sean Holshouser Hai Gia Vinta la Causa – Le Nozze di Figaro – Mozart

Julie Hoeltzel Poor Wandering One – The Pirates of Penzance – Gilbert & Sullivan

Meaghan Heath Can’t Help Lovin’ that Man of Mine – Showboat – Kern

Richard Paul Fink I Stole The Prince – The Gondoliers – Gilbert & Sullivan

Laura Coleman The Sun Whose Rays – The Mikado – Gilbert & Sullivan

Julie Hoeltzel & Sean Holshouser Bei Mannern – The Magic Flute – Mozart

Richard Paul Fink & Julie Hoetzel Make Believe – Showboat – Kern

Entree Song Menu (choice of four)

Riley Ortega Dear Friends, Take Pity On My Lot – The Sorcerer – Gilbert & Sullivan

Riley Vagis Chacun A Son Gout – Die Fledermaus – Strauß

Pantelis Karastamatis Santa Fe – Newsies – Menken

Sean Holshouser Mein Sehnen, Mein Wähnen – Die Tote Stadt – Korngold

Julie Hoeltzel Ach, ich Fuhls – The Magic Flute – Mozart

Richard Paul Fink Where Is The Life That Late I Led – Kiss Me, Kate – Porter

Meaghan Heath When a Merry Maiden Marries – The Gondoliers – Gilbert & Sullivan

Laura Coleman Glitter And Be Gay – Candide – Bernstein

Meaghan Heath & Pantelis Karastamatis As Long as You’re Mine – Wicked – Schwartz

Meaghan Heath, Julie Hoetzel, & Riley Vagis Three Little Maids – The Mikado – Gilbert & Sullivan

Laura Coleman & Meaghan Heath Sisters – White Christmas – Berlin

Richard Paul Fink & Riley Ortega All I Ask of You – The Phantom of the Opera – Webber

Dessert Song Menu (choice of two)

Laura Coleman Vanilla Ice Cream – She Loves Me – Harnick & Bock

Riley Vagis Tipsy Waltz – La Périchole – Offenbach

Richard Paul Fink The Impossible Dream – Man of La Mancha – Leigh

Julie Hoeltzel Let It Go – Frozen – Anderson-Lopez & Lopez

Riley Ortega Think of Me – The Phantom of the Opera – Webber

Pantelis Karastamatis You’ll Be Back – Hamilton – Miranda

Sean Holshouser Oh Better Far to Live and Die – The Pirates of Penzance – Gilbert & Sullivan

Meaghan Heath She Used to Be Mine – Waitress – Bareilles

Riley Ortega & Sean Holshouser The Song That Goes Like This – Spamalot – Du Prez

Meaghan Heath & Riley Ortega Flower Duet – Lakmé – Delibes

An exciting live auction led by Glenn Beckendorff, auctioneer for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, will add to the coffers. Featured items include Houston Astros tickets, Wine Tastings, and a cameo in the summer G&S production of The Gondoliers.

Sales end 5pm Monday or when the last seat is sold, whichever comes first.

SOLD OUT!