Pirates of Penzance
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My thoughts on Pirates of Penzance or…pirates and orphans and maidens! Oh my!
It is my “duty” to inform you that the inspired craziness that is Pirates of Penzance is a tune filled, frothy, fabulous funfest that is perfect summertime entertainment.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s story of tender-hearted pirates with a soft spot for orphans in the inspired hands of Director Alejandro Saucedo becomes something between a British Panto and a 1930’s screwball comedy. Whatever it is, it’s wildly entertaining with glorious voices rehearsed to operetta perfection by Music Director Vonda K. Bowling and rousing dances from Choreographer Kevin Davis, Jr.
Scenic Designer Track Curtis gives the set a summery pastel look with a set that is dominated by a magic porthole which you should watch “dutifully” throughout the show. There’s excellent lighting from Nicole Iannacconne and terrific costumes from Ryan Matthieu Smith. All the elements add to the dizzying delight that is Pirates of Penzance, but none more so than the stellar cast that Director Saucedo has assembled.
Max J. Swarner leads the cast as Frederic, a dashing young romantic yet naive lad of 21…or possibly younger. That famous Swarner charm is in full effect here as he bounds around the stage. What maiden wouldn’t fall in love with him?
The maiden that captures his heart is Mabel played by the angelic voiced Taylor Nash. Nash is perfection in this ingenue role. She’s the very picture of the wide-eyed innocent.
Not so innocent is the remarkable Sarah Caldwell as Frederic’s clingy nursemaid Ruth. Caldwell is a comic wonder as Ruth. Ruth is 47 but thinks she can compete with maidens thirty years younger than herself. Caldwell is a riot in the part. The jokes are often at Ruth’s expense, but she just brushes them off and barrels on.
In a bit of gender bending casting Racher Nicole Poole is the swashbuckling Pirate King with a soft spot for orphans. Poole takes the role and runs with it, swaggering around the stage brandishing a mustache and a blade. Poole is excellent showing the gentler side of this proud man who sees himself as fearsome.
DFW theater legend and treasure David Coffee is the eccentric Victorian gentleman Major-General Stanley. And to quote the song, he is the very model of a modern Major-General. Coffee has so much stage charisma that audience affection is a given and does he ever deliver his patter filled song!
Another cast member with great comic presence is Andrew Nicolas who plays Samuel, a sort of sycophant to the Pirate King. Nicolas seems born to play in this sort of marvelous mayhem and is a dynamite physical comic actor.
Speaking of comic performances, Esteban Vilchez is hilarious as the cockney police sergeant, but he is flawlessly funny as one of Major-General Stanley’s daughters. Dressed in virginal white, Vilchez is amazing flirting with Frederic, dropping a sleeve to get his attention.
Kimberly Turner is Edith, the eldest of Major-General Stanley’s beautiful daughters. She is watchful of her sisters, but still young enough to be playful herself. Turner’s a charmer here with a lovely voice and always ready to flash that brilliant smile.
I love the energy that Kylie Stewart brings to the role of Kate, yet another of the comely daughters of the Major-General. Stewart’s flashing eyes and powerhouse voice makes Kate seem always “in the moment” and adorable. I kept thinking what an incredible Peter Pan she would be.
I want to give special kudos to Jeffrey Bowling who is a one-man band here and plays piano solo for the entire evening. Bravo Sir.
Pirates of Penzance was my first ever Gilbert and Sullivan and I could not have had a better introduction. Director Saucedo, Music Director Bowling, and the entire creative team have made this production a fast-paced evening of songs and laughter. It’s the perfect summer treat. You can relax, dial your brain back to low, and let these brilliant entertainers make you giddy for a couple hours. It is most definitely your “duty” to see Pirates of Penzance.
