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The Pirates of Penzance by Moonlight Stage Productions  Poor Wandering One Frederic would have had a pleasant
career as a pilot if his dear, old guardian Ruth had understood the
instructions properly. As it turned out, a pilot sounds a bit too much
like a pirate, and he’s been an apprentice to a pirate ever since. But
only till his twenty-first birthday, which is today, and thus Frederic breaks the
news to his pirate companions that he is leaving to find a more moral life, and
that he unfortunately will have to kill them the next time he sees them unless
they stop pirating. It’s a career change that he thinks may suit them well, as
in all honesty they make terrible pirates – being too kindhearted to attack anyone
weaker than them, and always getting promptly trounced whenever they attack anyone
stronger. But it’s the pirate life for them, so they part ways – destined to
meet again…Thus begins Gilbert and Sullivan’s most beloved operetta still going strong more than a century after its debut, and you’re going to be pressed to find a better production of it anytime soon. Directed and choreographed by the one-and-only Don and Bonnie Ward, this one scores top marks in every category with fantastic choreography perfectly executed, marvelous comical touches throughout, and great vocal work by the cast. That cast includes Richard Bermudez as a young, naïve, and good-natured Frederic whose post-pirate life seems to get off to a good start when he runs into several beautiful young women on the beach, much to the chagrin of poor Ruth (played with amusing angst by Susan E.V. Boland) who had hoped Frederic might marry her despite her age. All demure daughters of the local Major-General, the sisters try with little success (but lots of laughs) not to lose their senses over the seductive man who has just appeared. Only Mabel is bold enough to go for him, with the lovely Melissa Hoff turning on the charm, humor, and gorgeous voice that immediately steal Frederic’s heart. But lurking nearby are a bunch of ready-to-pounce pirates led by the tremendous performance of Randall Dodge as the Pirate King (seen a few weeks ago as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast). With terrific timing, creativity, and physical comedy, Randall enlivens the entire stage and up the side of the wall and down into the pit, the latter resulting in a dynamic duel with orchestra conductor Elan McMahan (to which he is a sore loser). Can the clever Modern Major-General (played by the nimble-tongued Jeffrey Arnold Wolf) and his tentatively brave but talented dancing group of bobbies (led with fantastic style and comedy by Joshua Breckenridge) protect the young daughters from becoming booty? The Wards add creative humor throughout with both their choreography and with imaginative touches like having the pirate-garbed orchestra members crawl growling into the pirate pit to start the show (and using that pit off and on during the rest of the production – like when Edith (Martha Brewer) checks their sheet music for her next line). The sets and costumes are enchanting, and the orchestra does a fine job of both playing and occasionally interacting with their stage-dwelling pirate brethren.Performs through July 31, 2005.
Rob Hopper ~ Cast ~
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Pirates: