The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society was founded in 1954. The Society's set designer, Nathan Rodda, 61, does not go back quite that far with the company, but has been a devoted crew member for quite some time.

"If people want to remember my name, just think of 'Rodda Paint', which I use on my sets," said Rodda with a grin, who swears he is not otherwise linked to the company. "I am literally from Normandy Park," he said. "I was born in our home there."

He designs sets for the Little Burien Theatre, and co-owns The Dickens Carolers of Seattle. Rodda is soon off to Juneau to work on the set of Hairspray.

Melanie Batts of Burien began with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society in 1975 as a costume maker. She currently volunteers. Batts teaches French and world history at Kennedy High School.

"I know most of the words of the Gilbert & Sulivan songs by heart," she said. "I have all the recordings. I am a Savoyard."

That word comes from the Savoy Theatre, built in London in 1881 by Richard D'Oyly Carte for the presentation of operettas by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Tonight is the second and last night of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society's spring gala, “Fairies, Felons & Frivolities”, a cabaret-style show hosted by KIRO-FM radio icon Dave Ross, also a Savoyard, at the Crown Hill Center, Ballard, 7:30pm. Tickets at the door, which opens at 7:pm. $35 for one, $65 for two.

Batts and Rodda, who have been working on the gala, are also involved with the Society's upcoming summer production:

The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, a community theater company celebrating its 58th season, will produce the “political fairy tale” Iolanthe at the Seattle Rep’s Bagley Wright Theatre this summer for 11 performances on July 13-15, 20-22 and 27-28, including matinees on the first two Sundays and on each of the Saturdays.