MONMOUTH — “When the night wind howls in the chimney cowls, and the bats in the moonlight fly …” That line from Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, “Ruddigore, or The Witch’s Curse” sets the tone for the 10-show run by Theater at Monmouth opening Sept. 17 at Cumston Hall.

Richard Sewell, founding artistic director of The Theater at Monmouth about 45 years ago, returns to direct this whimsical mix of satire and musical delight. He is right at home with Gilbert and Sullivan musicals in this 100-year-old architectural gem of a building. Like many older residents of the area, he enjoyed the excellent presentations of Gilbert and Sullivan’s numerous witty, music-filled plays staged by The American Savoyards in the summers from 1953 to 1960.

“’Ruddigore’ is one of my real favorites,” Sewell said. “We have been having a lot of fun with it.”

The storyline involves a curse placed upon the baronets of Ruddigore many years ago, who are condemned to commit a crime each day or be tortured to death. To escape this dreadful fate, the latest baronet, Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, disguises himself as a simple farmer, Robin Oakapple. Robin is in love with Rose Maybud and wants to wed her, but their “rosy” future is doomed when his true identity is revealed.

Sewell said his cast for “Ruddigore” showcases the talents of community members as well as actors from further away.

Portraying Sir Ruthven/Robin Oakapple is Connor McAndrews. Rose Maybud is played by Laura Whittenberger.

Jamie Beth Weist appears as Mad Margaret; David Handley is Old Adam Goodheart, Robin’s faithful servant; and Matt Anderson is Richard Dauntless, Robin’s foster brother.

Timothy Madden plays Sir Despard, the “bad baronet” who was saddled with the curse when his younger brother, Ruthven, evaded his dreadful duty and became Robin.

There’s a host of ghosts led by Joe McGrann as Sir Roderick, the 21st baronet of Ruddigore.

Sabrina Yocono plays Dame Hannah, Rose’s aunt. The chorus of “professional bridesmaids” includes Cynthia McGuire as Ruth and Karen Lipovsky as Zorah.

Choreography is by Adam P. Blais and the music director is Rebecca Caron. Sewell said this production of “Ruddigore” is adhering as closely as possible to the traditional D’Oyly Carte style of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas.

For more than a decade, The Theater at Monmouth has carried on the tradition of a fall musical presenting the works of Gilbert and Sullivan in both modernized and traditional productions.

Sewell recalled the production of “Ruddigore” by the American Savoyards in which the ghosts walk out of picture frames. In particular, he said the ornate box seating almost on stage at the left and right was used for that theatrical effect.

“Those boxes just cry out, ‘Use me,’” Sewell said. “I have stolen a bit from Dorothy Raedler (producer-director of the shows in the ’50s) and I make use of one of the boxes.”

The musical numbers in “Ruddigore” feature one of the better known Gilbert and Sullivan patter songs. Robin, Despard and Margaret sing “My Eyes Are Fully Open,” now better known for its rapid-fire lines, “So it really doesn’t matter, matter, matter, matter, matter.”

“There Grew a Little Flower” is a popular number sung by Hannah and Sir Roderic, as well as “My Boy, You May Take It From Me” by Robin and Richard.

This marks Sewell’s first return in 20 years to TAM where he directed classic plays from Shakespeare to Stoppard and everything in between. A longtime actor, director, teacher and playwright, Sewell has written more than 16 plays and three adaptations. His plays have inspired productions, public readings or awards from theatres in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Miami, among others.

Performances of “Ruddigore,” which conclude TAM’s 46th season of summer repertory shows, are at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17-19 and 24-26; at 1 p.m. on Sept. 19-20 and 26-27.

For tickets, contact the TAM box office at 207-933-9999 or go online to www.theateratmonmouth.org.