UMGASS 'Pirates of Penzance' performance ends in real-life marriage proposal
Cast members Jonathan Roselle and Ali Kahn got engaged during a curtain call for UMGASS' "Pirates of Penzance."
Photo by Dane Hillard
Jonathan Roselle, a pirate in the chorus, had the actor who played the Doctor of Divinity bring Alexandra Kahn, who played Mabel, to the front of the stage, and then Roselle proposed.
Here’s a video that captured the moment; Roselle stops the show at just before the two minute mark.
UMGASS veteran and videographer Karl Zinn described the moment in an email: “Just before the end of the curtain calls, Jon Roselle in pirate attire, with his father a pirate behind him on the stage and his mother in the fourth row, made a quite proper and effective proposal of marriage to Ali Kahn, with her parents and sister and grandmother in the second row.”
Roselle and Kahn met during the 2008 UMGASS production of “Yeoman of the Guard.” Roselle graduated from Pioneer High (’05) and U-M (’09) and works in Ann Arbor as a consultant. Kahn hails from Briarcliff Manor, New York and came to Ann Arbor in 2007 to attend U-M (’11). She’ll earn her masters degree in accounting from U-M this year.
Jenn McKee is an entertainment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.
Comments
David Cahill
Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 2:11 p.m.
AnnArbor.com, this is a great romantic story! Is there any way you can get it picked up by MLive.com, or a national news service? The marriage proposal during a Gilbert and Sullivan curtain call is even better than proposals by skywriting or billboards that occasionally get national coverage.
DEA
Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:29 p.m.
Plus, better pix.
Kai Petainen
Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:09 a.m.
This is an awesome proposal... my better half and I just watched it... *ah... she cries... romance* best wishes to the couple. we celebrate our 10th year this week, and we wish the best to you as well.
Ed Kimball
Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 3:18 a.m.
Not to be too picky, but I thought Jon said that they met during a production of The Gondoliers. Maybe my hearing's not as good as I think it is. More importantly, however, it's hard to imagine a more entertaining proposal -- nor a woman happier to accept it. Best wishes to the happy couple.
DEA
Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5:04 a.m.
Met during Yeomen, reconnected two years later during Gondoliers.
ummsw
Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 2:38 a.m.
Very Nice...so beautiful. Smiled all the way through the proposal. Made my day!!
Great Lakes Lady
Mon, Apr 29, 2013 : 8:47 p.m.
Still smiling!!! Heartwarming video....Congratulations to the happy couple!!!
David Cahill
Mon, Apr 29, 2013 : 8:06 p.m.
Very adorable indeed!
UMphd
Mon, Apr 29, 2013 : 7:52 p.m.
Outstanding. I was at a U-M Friars show about 17 years ago when one of the Friars proposed to his girlfriend at the end of the show. It was an honor to be in the audience. Well done, Jonathan. Much happiness to you both.
dancinginmysoul
Mon, Apr 29, 2013 : 6:54 p.m.
Congratulations! I needed a pick-me-up story!
Just Be Nice
Mon, Apr 29, 2013 : 7:32 p.m.
Me too!
M
Mon, Apr 29, 2013 : 5:22 p.m.
This is the most adorable thing *ever*