Photo by Jenni El-Fattal

With a Jules Verne-inspired backdrop of giant gears and brass clockworks, the stage of the Historic Everett Theatre goes retro-futuristic as the Northwest Savoyards present Gilbert & Sullivan's "Ruddigore." The comic opera runs two weekends, March 11 through March 20, at the theatre in downtown Everett.

According to producer Tim Sauke, "Ruddigore (or the Witch's Curse)" is a rarely-produced G&S gem. The musical's plot is typical of Gilbert & Sullivan's operettas, with villains turned heroes, heroes who become villains, helpless maidens, gullible townspeople and professional bridesmaids.

"Gilbert and Sullivan and steampunk are an obvious fit," said Sauke, who also designed the unusual set. "The Northwest Savoyards are the first to incorporate this style for a production of 'Ruddigore,' and this is the first steampunk Gilbert & Sullivan production on the west coast."

The melodrama explores Victorian life in the village of Rederring, where the Murgatroyd clan suffers under an ancestral curse, forced to commit at least one deadly crime each day or perish in agony. Young Ruthven Murgatroyd tries to escape the curse, changing his name to Robin Oakapple and wooing the beautiful yet shy Rose Maybud.

Of course, true love never runs a straight course. As in other Gilbert and Sullivan productions, audiences will be treated to mistaken identities, double-crossings and speculation, all presented in grand musical style with a large chorus and live orchestra.

"Ruddigore" is directed by Danielle Villegas, with musical direction by Josh Zimmerman and choreography by international gymnastic champion Yulia Hancheroff.

Shows are set for 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for a special preview performance Thursday, March 10, are only $10 (cash or check only) at the door; tickets for the rest of the run are priced at $22 for adults and $19 for seniors, students and military personnel. Purchase advance tickets at the Historic Everett Theatre's box office, (425) 258-6766, or online at www.everetttheatre.org.