Robert E. Cumming

Founder and Artistic Director
June 2, 1933 – March 9, 2021

Robert E. Cumming was born and raised in Lincoln, NE, the youngest of five children. Cumming attended Lincoln High School, Nebraska Wesleyan, and the University of Nebraska, studying voice with Prof. Oscar Bennett and Dr. Arthur Westbrook. A Presser Foundation Scholarship was awarded after the production of “Rumpelstiltskin” at First Plymouth Congregational Church in 1952. He sang lead roles in various Pinewood Bowl operettas before becoming associate editor to Dr. Sigmund Spaeth of the Music Journal in 1956, succeeding as Editor in Chief in 1966. He was also known as director of 65 performances of “Naughty Marietta” for NYC’s Little Orchestra Society, founded by Thomas Scherman. In addition, Cumming sang and directed the Village Light Opera Group, and the Hunter College Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He served as President of the N.Y. Gilbert Sullivan Society.

When coming to Middletown, CT in 1976, Cumming became editorial coordinator, author, and librarian at Weekly Reader Publications. In 1980, he co-founded, with voice teacher Leighton Rand Phraner, the Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He served as artistic director until he retired at the end of 2015.

Cumming also served the East Haddam Historical Society since 1976, including a record-breaking six-year stint as President, and nearly a decade as Executive Director–in which capacity he provided R&D for the major William Gillette exhibit.

Cumming remained popular as a soloist in East Haddam at St. Bridget’s of Kildare, in Moodus, CT, and at the First Church of Christ Congregational in East Haddam, CT. He served as soloist of 27 years at First Church of Christ Scientist in Guilford, CT.

Cumming has appeared in “Who’s Who in America” (Marquis) since the 1970’s and in recent years in “Who’s Who in the World.” When asked to do a few words on “the secret of his success,” he laughed and said, “If they knew how much I owe Chase Bank, they wouldn’t ask such a thing!”

Cumming was a quick wit and well-read, giving talks about William Gilette, and the satire of William Gilbert. Quotes from the operettas were sprinkled through his conversation; most especially “He’s in treatment for it.” He leaves a powerful legacy of staging Gilbert & Sullivan operettas as they were traditionally done, with an infusion of “Cumming energy”. His vision was unparalleled, and his work tireless. Those of us who worked with him are the better for it.

And so, in the immortal words of the Pirate King, “Hail poetry, thou heav’n-born maid. Thou gildest e’en the pirate’s trade. Hail, flowing fount of sentiment! All hail, hail, divine emolument!”

To see a video of Bob’s life in pictures, click here

Multi-talented UConn doctoral student to direct THESPIS

     The Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan Society is pleased to announce that Connecticut native
Spencer Reese will be the artistic director for Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan’s 2019 production of THESPIS. Mr. Reese, who grew up in Enfield, is currently finishing his DMA in vocal performance at the University of Connecticut, studying with Constance Rock.

     In 2013, he received his undergraduate degree in voice at UConn, where he was a University Scholar in the Honors Program. As part of this program he wrote, directed, produced and starred (whew!) in a four act original opera entitled Always Hope. In 2015, he earned a master’s degree in opera stage directing at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Steven Daigle and Jan Opalach. While there, he assistant directed two complete opera seasons, directed a double bill of The Old Maid and the Thief and La voix humaine, and choreographed the musical She Loves Me.

     Spending summers in residence with the Ohio Light Opera since 2014, he has served as the company’s assistant director and choreographer in more than thirty shows, including over half the Gilbert and Sullivan canon. A familiar face on the OLO stage as well, he will appear this summer as Danny Churchill in Girl Crazy, Jack in Into the Woods, and Frederic in Pirates of Penzance.

     Mr. Reese is thrilled to bring his skills in opera production and his experience with the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire to his home state as artistic director for this fall’s production of Thespis.

CG&SS Featured Video from our 2018 production of The Mikado

     Here they are once again, those lovable, romantic, mischievous, Three Little Maids from School!

We are dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the rich heritage of satire and melody created by William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. It is our purpose to bring the comic genius of their work to modern audiences in the high Victorian style in which they were originally presented.

There were no motion pictures, video tapes or DVD’s produced of these intelligent and humorous musical shows when they were first written and produced in the late 19th century. But W.S. Gilbert staged these works himself, and he made careful notes of his staging decisions, notes which were preserved and which our artistic director uses as performance guides.

By staging these shows as they were first presented to an admiring public – our theatergoers experience the thorough charm of the original productions!

And that is why you should come to see our show.

Connecticut Gilbert and Sullivan Society

Comments from Iolanthe 2015

Talented cast, Full orchestra, Costumes, Scenery, Sound System, Excellent Directing!

When Principals were performing, the Seconds were continuing in the scene, making it come alive!

Always great, but especially good this year. One of my favorites..ever!

Best show I’ve seen in the last three years!

We loved it. What fun!

We are very pleased to have CG&SS in our area. I have seen the Doyle Carte back in the sixtys. Your productions are certainly comparable. We can’t say enough good things about CG&SS!

There are new people who have joined and played main roles. They are wonderful!

I’ve seen and/or have been in 6 or 7 CG&SS shows. This one was REALLY outstanding!

I liked all the players/singers and their overall quality. No sour notes and a good many sweet ones!

The casting was brilliant. Chorus was great. Sets were imaginative. Orchestra well played. A very good production!

Liked the Super Titles!

It was so good that I’m moving up my membership from Patron to Angel!

Sound/miking was excellent. Helped that the voices of all were clear and strong.Pretty much made the overhead projection (Super Titles) of the lyrics unnecessary. However do like to refer to them from time to time and they are not in the least obtrusive!

Comments from Mikado 2010