This weekend stepping into the world of singing pirates, young women and policemen will be well worth your time and money.
The pirates of Penzance are a jolly group just out to have a good time and avoid harming fellow orphans. When Frederic (Jacob Watson), an indentured pirate, is released on his 21st birthday he comes across a gaggle of girls. Soon all the pirates and girls collide in a charmingly witty series of songs centered on the ladies father, the Major General Stanley (Bryan Brooks). And that’s just the first act.
“We wanted to do one that was fun, that always appeals to the audience,” said Dr. Jon Secrest co-director and conductor. “I’ve wanted to do [“Pirates of Penzance”] for some time now.”
Sean Wilson provides a dashing and often humorous performance as the Pirate King. His low, smooth voice is reminiscent of the Cowardly Lion from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Brooks really steals the show with his entrance song. He spouts out lines at a mind-boggling rate, conquering quite the tongue-twister of a song with flair and plenty of funny moments. Both Brooks’ number and his performance made the last portion of Act One something to be remembered.
As a whole, the policemen were the most amusing group as a bumbling bunch of moustached men. Watch for the smaller roles in this group and the pirates who partake in hilarious antics and facial features.
Act Two moves along at a faster pace, with the exception of the usual slow love song between Watson, and his newfound love Mabel (Hannah Chapman). Wilson and other cast members said their favorite scene was in the second act when the pirates sing “Catlike Tread” as they prepare to confront the Major General.
“My favorite scene is when the policemen come and the girls start to flirt with them,” said Chelsea Cunningham, who plays Cunningham’s sister Edith. “It’s hilarious what the policemen do.”
The unseen heroes of the opera are the members of the orchestra. The music adds to the personality of the characters by giving each group a musical theme, or a leitmotif, that helps define them.
The cast and crew have worked hard to put this classic comic opera together and deserves to be supported by fans of the fine arts and friends alike.
