A Brand-New Comic Operetta by Gwen Hyland & Vince Gover

Premiering JANUARY 2027!

Paradox Opera is proud to announce our first major commissioned work: The Genders of Gybberidge, a fully original comedy about a magic school with a carefully-maintained status quo — and the chaos that ensues when a new student comes out as transgender!

If you loved Gwen’s irreverent brilliance in Don Giovanni (Abridged!) or remember Vince’s heart and humor from Lend Me a Roll (Covid Chronicles), you already know: this is going to be something extraordinary.

Think Gilbert & Sullivan but Magic & Queer!

DEMO TRACKS!

“In days of old, our founders wise” (Aria & Chorus)

Why can’t students at Gybberidge choose their own houses? With some help from the chorus, Headmistress Tervington outlines the history of the school’s house system and extols the virtues of sticking to traditional gender roles.

“Miss Merriweather, it appears” (Duet)

Benjamin wants to switch houses, Lysistrata wants to avoid the school’s magical breeding plan, and both face potential expulsion for being “difficult”. Together, they hatch a plan that could solve all their problems: faking a relationship!

“Would it truly be the worst” (Aria)

The Headmistress has threatened to out Jeremy to the whole school if he doesn’t agree to spy for her. Alone and distressed, he ponders what to do — but he keeps getting distracted by thoughts of his handsome classmates.

What’s Next

This is Paradox Opera’s biggest project ever — and we need you to help make it possible.

We’re raising $100,000 to bring The Genders of Gybberidge to life by its world premiere in January 2027.

Every dollar goes directly toward:

  • Paying our artists and creative team fair, living wages

  • Commissioning new music and text

  • Orchestrations, workshops, and demo recordings

  • Venue, design, and production costs

  • Accessibility measures (captioning, streaming, and more)

  • Marketing and outreach to share this story with the world

Where Your Support Goes

Project Timeline

Oct 2025 - Nov 2026

FUNDRAISING

December 2026

WORKSHOP

January 2027

PREMIERE

Join the campaign

You will be able to support The Genders of Gybberidge on our YEAR LONG TILTIFY campaign. Every contribution helps us take another step toward premiere night.

All funds from this campaign support Paradox Opera’s general operating fund, including the development of our new opera.


Here’s a sneak peek of what’s brewing in the cauldron for our Donors and Backers

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Video access to the full show

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Sticker & embroidered patch sets featuring the Gybberidge house crests

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Virtual tickets to our behind-the-scenes workshop

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Signed show posters & alternate art prints

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“Name a Character” backer tier

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...Buy indulgences to atone for your fandom sins

〰️ Video access to the full show 〰️ Sticker & embroidered patch sets featuring the Gybberidge house crests 〰️ Virtual tickets to our behind-the-scenes workshop 〰️ Signed show posters & alternate art prints 〰️ “Name a Character” backer tier 〰️ ...Buy indulgences to atone for your fandom sins


We’re premiering the three demo tracks in December 2025 — the first is here! A delicious duet sung by Gwen Hyland & Alissa Roca, where Benjamin Bellend and Lysistrata Merriweather literally cook up their plans in the Gybberidge Academy kitchens.

- Patreon paid members will get early access and exclusive bts for the whole project -

Stay Involved

Follow our progress, hear from the creators, and get sneak peeks of the process.

  • Share the campaign link on social media

  • Stream and share our demo tracks

  • Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive updates

Why it matters!

At Paradox Opera, our mission is to pay artists fairly, create new works that reflect today’s world, and make opera accessible to everyone. 

The Genders of Gybberidge embodies all of that — it’s bold, funny, heartfelt, and fearlessly inclusive. This isn’t just another production. It’s a statement: that opera can evolve, that it belongs to everyone, and that joy and identity deserve to take center stage.

This project is only possible because of you — our community, donors, and dreamers who believe opera can be playful, powerful, and deeply human.

Together, we can bring this world to life and make The Genders of Gybberidge the magical, meaningful milestone it deserves to be.