Ruddigore at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre

Blend a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta with the gothic world of illustrator Edward Gorey and you'll get a glimpse into the silly, spooky atmosphere of Ruddigore. A witch's curse, a hall of talking portraits and a legion of sadistic ghosts make for a delightfully ghoulish romp. Though not as well known as The Pirates of Penzance or The Mikado, Ruddigore showcases some of Sullivan's finest melodies and Gilbert's nimblest lyrics while poking fun at Victorian ideals. The lightning speed and ridiculous rhymes of "My Eyes Are Fully Open" make even "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" seem plodding by comparison. See the Victorian Lyric Opera Company's performance of this comic opera at Rockville's F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.