More than 200 people attended the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society's open house celebration at the Crown Hill Center June 8 to see its new rehearsal and set-building space.

Before guests toured the 5,000-square-foot indoor facility, transformed from an indoor/outdoor school play court, the Gilbert & Sullivan chorus treated the audience to some numbers from "HMS Pinafore" and "Cox & Box" in the adjacent gym.

Those Gilbert & Sullivan classics will be performed at Bagley Wright Theatre July 9 to July 11, July 15 to July 18 and July 22 to July 24.

The rehearsal space's floor has markings that duplicate the measurements of the theatre so people and props can move seamlessly between rehearsal space and performance stage.

"This is a tremendous facility," said David Ross, KIRO-FM radio host, and Gilbert & Sullivan aficionado. The facility relocated from 522 Dexter Ave. N. to the Crown Hill Center, located at 9250 14th Ave. N.W.

"I've been in this society for 32 years," said Ross. "I began in a basement on Mercer Street in a building that is now demolished. To be above ground is so refreshing. I look at the before and after pictures of the new facility and I see it was a good thing we recruited a lot of construction people to be in the chorus. I've done every show. I love the music, the family nature of it. I'm going to try different rolls this year, like playing the villain. I play Dick Deadeye the sailor (from "HMS Pinafore.") He's the only guy on the ship to actually see battle. He understands the reality of life."

"We're a little short-handed this season, and if you're handy around the shop, let us know," Executive Producer Mike Storie said, seeking volunteers. "We make sawdust all day and sing at night. We are also trying to pin down an assistant stage manager, which is a paying position."

For more information, visit www.pattersong.org.