CAST LIST for The Grand Duke

Fall 2026

   Production History

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
    • 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
  • Lisa (a Soubrette) Laura Hull
    • Members of Ernest Dummkopf's Theatrical Company
  • Olga Faith Donaher
  • Gretchen Heidi Williams
  • Bertha Sharon Weil-Chalker
  • Elsa Kathy Sarlson
    • Ensemble
  •   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 listed alphabetically

listed alphabetically

Don Cheetham headshotDon 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