“I think it will be a great success,” composer Arthur S. Sullivan wrote in an 1879 letter to his mother about his new opera, “for it is exquisitely funny, and the music is strikingly tuneful and catching.” True enough!
The Pirates of Penzance was an immediate hit when it opened and holds a place today as a popular and enduring work of musical theater. On December 10-11, Mount Madonna School will present its middle school production of The Pirates of Penzance, Jr. for 2:00pm matinee shows at the Hawks’ Nest Theater (445 Summit Road, Mount Madonna).
The story: as a child, Frederic was apprenticed to a band of tenderhearted, orphaned pirates by his nurse who, being hard of hearing, had mistaken her master’s instructions to apprentice the boy to a pilot. Upon completing his 21st year, Frederic rejoices that he has fulfilled his indentures and is now free to return to respectable society. But it turns out that he was born on February 29 in leap year, and he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday.
“Although considered ‘light opera,’ Gilbert and Sullivan’s musical plays are far from our stereotypical concepts of that particular genre,” commented Director Sampad Kachuck. “I remain captivated by how the wit and tongue twisting nature of the lyrics combine with the sophistication of the music. I see the duo (Gilbert was the lyricist and Sullivan the composer) as perhaps the first rap artists with elements of Monty Python’s ironic perspectives. As the music soars and delights, the lyrics are filled with blistering social commentary, delivered in often rhythmic and rat-ta-tat fashion.
“There are also enough lilting melodic cascades to suit the musical aficionados,” Kachuck continued. “Even more fun is that the songs are delivered by broadly sketched characters that parade and at times stumble across the stage. This includes sentimental pirates and lovely maidens, who despite their apparent innocence are beautifully rebellious and attitudinal, a Major General who knows nothing about being one, and bumbling policemen who would prefer to run from battle rather than engage in it.
“For our production, students are taking on the challenge of personalizing their roles and investing deeply into the world of the characters,” Kachuck said. “Whether singing, dancing or simply ‘living’ on stage, they’re engaging passionately in developing a character’s perspective in interaction with others. It is by receiving that the characterization expands. At the same time, and of equal import, students are building community through the vehicle of theatre, and learning to trust themselves and each other. It’s a true win-win; by full participation, the individual grows and the production benefits.”
The Pirates of Penzance, Jr., book and Lyrics by Sir William S. Gilbert and music by Sir Arthur S. Sullivan. As presented on Broadway by the New York Shakespeare Festival; produced by Joseph Papp and directed by William Leach. Music adaptation by William Elliot and choreography by Graciela Daniele. The Pirates of Penzance, Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) and all authorized performance materials are supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.
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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Director of Marketing & Communications,
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a community of learners dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville. Founded in 1979.