Martha Smylie was smitten with the G&S bug at age 10 when she sang Buttercup in a full-stage elementary school production where (a fact heretofore unbeknownst to most of you) she also played the violin in the pit orchestra for the overture!
As an adult she hid out in the chorus of The Savoy Company for 10 party years until she got the courage to step back into the spotlight again and has been performing major roles in G&S, musicals and straight plays since 1986.
Unabashedly incestuous, Martha has sung roles with all six of the major G&S societies in the Delaware Valley, a feat which may be unmatched ... "not that others couldn't do it, just that they haven't done it"). She's played most of the G&S contralto roles, sung in several International G&S Festivals in both Philadelphia and Buxton, England, and enjoys roles in musicals and plays around the region. Her favorite play was the Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 at Hedgerow Theatre ("working at Hedgerow is a whole other dimension - what an education!"), and she admits being the murder victim in Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap was also great fun ("the real murder, though, is waiting through the second act to take your curtain call!").
In addition Martha has done some minor TV work - you can still catch her occasionally on repeats of Suzanne Roberts' little spotlight show on CN8. Martha sings professionally in concerts and ensembles, and has even done some interesting ad lib work in training trial lawyers.
A former president of the GSSCC, Martha's organizational talents are legendary! Board members of four local G&S societies have had to tolerate her participation, and three have suffered through her presidencies. "Like Ko-Ko, they must learn to bear it!"
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Training:
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 Voice Teacher/Coach: Richard Johnson, Bryn Mawr, PA
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Martha's GSSCC Roles:
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Lady Sophy, Utopia Limited - 2007
The Baroness von Krakenfeldt, The Grand Duke - 2005
Dame Carruthers, Yeomen of the Guard - 2004
Buttercup, HMS Pinafore - 2002
Lady Blanche, Princess Ida - 2001 *
Diana, Thespis - 2001
Lady Jane, Patience - 2000
Ruth, Pirates of Penzance - 1998
Mrs. Partlet, Sorcerer - 1997
* = Martha's favorite role with GSSCC
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Martha's Other Roles:
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Lady Angela, Patience, Ardensingers, 2008
Dame Carruthers, The Yeomen of the Guard, Thespis Etc., 2008
Lady Blanche, Princess Ida, Ardensingers, 2007
Nicolette, Eyes and No Eyes, Ardensingers, 2006
Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn, The Music Man, Day and Night Productions, 2006
Little Buttercup, H.M.S. Pinafore, Ardensingers, 2006
The Learned Judge, Miss-Trial By Jury, Ardensingers, 2005
Inez, The Gondoliers, The Savoy Company, 2005
Lady Jane, Patience, Thespis, Etc., 2005
Katisha, The Mikado, Ardensingers, 2004 *
Ruth, The Pirates of Penzance, Thespis, Etc., 2004
Mrs. Kindheart, A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol, Ardensingers, 2003
Mrs. Boyle, The Mousetrap, Hedgerow Theatre, 2003
Mrs. Partlett, The Sorcerer, Rose Valley Chorus, 2003
Mrs. Kindheart, A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol, Ardensingers, 2002
Dame Carruthers, The Yeomen of the Guard, Ardensingers, 2002
Mrs. Higgins, My Fair Lady, Rose Valley Chorus, 2002
Mrs. Partlet, The Sorcerer, Ardensingers, 2001
Diana, Thespis, Gilbert & Sullivan Players, 2000
Ruth, The Pirates of Penzance, Ardensingers, 2000
Emily Creed, Ladies in Retirement, Hedgerow Theatre, 1999
Mrs. Jessup, The Uninvited, Hedgerow Theatre, 1999
Granny/Cindy's Mom/Giant, Into The Woods, King of Prussia Players, 1998
Elsa von Grossenkneuten, Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Hedgerow Theatre, 1998
Old Lady/Blair Daniels, Sunday In The Park With George, Dramateurs, 1996
Lady Sangazure, The Sorcerer, Thespis Etc., 1996
Mother Burnside/Mrs.Upson, Mame, St. Thomas Players, 1995
The Duchess, Me and My Girl, Dramateurs, 1994
Katisha, The Mikado, Thespis Etc., 1993 *
Mrs. Partlet, The Sorcerer, Ardensingers, 1992
Lady Jane, Patience, Thespis Etc., 1990
Ruth, The Pirates of Penzance, Thespis Etc., 1989
Inez, The Gondoliers, Rose Valley Chorus, 1989
Mme Praskowia, The Merry Widow, Rose Valley Chorus, 1988
Dame Carruthers, The Yeomen of the Guard, Thespis Etc., 1988
Katisha, The Mikado, Thespis Etc., 1987 *
Lady Blanche, Princess Ida, Thespis Etc., 1986
* = Martha's favorite role
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Martha's Personal Remarks:
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Being a member of GSSCC not only has been an incredible pleasure, but highly educational. It's a delight to be part of a group of so many knowledgeable folks who produce phenomenal shows of high calibre. And the cultural enjoyment continues year-round, not only when we're performing the major G&S show or the annual Trial by Jury in the county courthouse's magnificent ceremonial courtroom. It's great to be part of such a brilliant family, rich in knowledge, fat on fun.
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety. - William Shakespeare
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