MONMOUTH – Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Iolanthe” opens at The Theater at Monmouth this month, beginning with a preview performance Thursday, Sept. 23, and running through Sunday, Oct. 3.

Although one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s lesser-known operettas, “Iolanthe” is perfect entertainment during this election year, according to a spokesman for the theater. In it, the House of Lords is lampooned as moronic, privileged and useless, and shots also are taken at political parties and other institutions. But the criticism is couched in fun, likable absurdities, and romance – making the show a break from everyday politics. William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan were at the height of their abilities when they developed “Iolanthe,” their seventh collaboration, and many feel it is their creative best, according to the spokesman.

Louis Dall’Ava returns to direct and portray the Lord Chancellor of England in this show, and Laura Wilson (who played Ruth in last year’s “Pirates of Penzance”) returns to portray the Queen of the Fairies.

In “Iolanthe,” Strephon (North Leeds native Kevin Hoffmann, who played Octavius in the summer’s “Antony and Cleopatra”) is an Arcadian shepherd who wants to marry Phyllis (Jenny Milsap, who played Mabel in “Pirates”). Phyllis, a ward of the Court of Chancery, doesn’t know that Strephon is half-fairy. When she sees him kissing an apparently young woman, she assumes the worst.

But fairies never grow old, and the young woman is actually Strephon’s mother, the fairy Iolanthe. Meanwhile, Phyllis’ guardian, the Lord Chancellor, as well as half the peers in the House of Lords are sighing after her, and soon the peers and the fairies are at one another’s throats. North Monmouth’s Wendy Amero as Leila, Monmouth’s Debbie Perkins as Celia and Rome’s Jan Reynolds as Fleta round out this cast that features professional actors as well as local community members in this musical.

The Theater at Monmouth is celebrating its 35th season. “Iolanthe” will be performed onstage at historic Cumston Hall. In the last several years, this Victorian style opera house has undergone a $2.5 million revitalization, which has included a new addition, air conditioning, an elevator, new restrooms and new theater seats.

“Iolanthe” opens with a preview performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23.

Tickets for the preview performance are $12. Evening performances will be 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24; Saturday, Sept. 25; Thursday, Sept. 30; Friday, Oct. 1; and Saturday, Oct. 2. Matinees will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26; Saturday, Oct. 2; and Sunday, Oct. 3. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $18 for seniors/students. For tickets or more information, people can call the box office, (207) 933-9999.