What could be more fun than hanging out with a pirate king, a handful of young Victorian maidens and the exquisitely dotty “model of a modern Major-General”? It would have to be an amazing Thursday night party to compete with Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic play “The Pirates of Penzance,” showing at the Overture Center for the Arts.
“Pirates” is being presented by the critically acclaimed New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. The show was first performed in New York City on Dec. 31, 1879. This New Year’s Eve show marked the first operetta of Gilbert & Sullivan’s to be premiered in the United States. On Thursday, this masterpiece of the theater, directed and conducted by Albert Bergeret with choreography by Bill Fabris, will be performed in its original format. The performance will include an energetic full orchestra and chorus and bring you all the laughter and joy as the first time “Pirates” was performed.
“Pirates” tells the story of Frederic, a young man mistakenly apprenticed to be a pirate until his 21st birthday. Frederic renounces his life as a pirate, while Ruth, the maid-of-all-work, attempts to trick Frederic into marrying her. However, when Frederic sees the beautiful Mabel, he falls in love with her instead. The pirates, unwilling to let Frederic go, follow after him and seize Mabel’s sisters.
While Frederic tries to live a “normal” life, he is confronted with the news he was born on Feb. 29 and has, therefore, only had five birthdays, which means he has yet to finish his apprenticeship. What ensues is a hilarious battle between pirates, noblemen and police while Frederic pines for his love.
The names Gilbert & Sullivan are always associated with masterpieces of the theater. The combination of Gilbert’s sharp wit and Sullivan’s memorable score, including the infamous song “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” make for a timeless show.
“[Performing] is not hard at all because the quality of the writing is so good. It is an incredible joy to perform,” David Wanen, who portrays the Pirate King, said about the timelessness and joy of “Pirates.”
Since “Pirates” is such a well-known play, some actors often find themselves lost in the astonishing reputation of the show. However, Wanen found himself engulfed in the comedy and beautiful music of the show.
“The ‘orphan/often’ scene is one of my favorite parts of the show. It is an original Abbott and Costello ‘Who’s on first’ scene,” Wanen said.
Wanen also spoke of the memorable characters and comedy of “Pirates,” describing the cast of pirates as a “band of swashbuckling buccaneers” and the policemen “bumbling” buffoons. Each performer brings his or her own wit and humor to the show, which makes for memorable comedy, which, according to Wanen, boasts a mix of high and low comedy throughout the show. Obviously Gilbert wasn’t afraid of a little slapstick comedy now and then.
“There is a reason why these shows have been redone and redone. It is one of the most witty, delightful, funny shows that have ever been written. It was the founding show of American musical theater,” Wanen said.
To this day, “Pirates of Penzance” remains one of the most popular shows throughout the English-speaking world. Wanen said it best when describing the light-heartedness “Pirates” brings to all who watch it.
“It is impossible in these gloomy times to be in a bad mood when you have finished watching a Gilbert and Sullivan show.”
“Pirates of Penzance” will be performed at the Overture Center for the Arts tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Overture Center ticket office.
