Skyline High School’s fall production, The Pirates of Penzance may be an operetta well over 100 years old, but in many ways, it’s also the very model of a modern major musical.
“This is a very funny show,” said director Brodie H. Brockie. “It’s fast-paced, funny, and irreverent. The music is genuinely beautiful, but it’s also very much a parody of old-fashioned operas and stage conventions.”
“The Pirates of Penzance” performs November 4, 10, and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and November 5 and 12 warranty at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available now at www.showtix4u.com. Skyline High School is located at 2552 N. Maple Rd in Ann Arbor.
In, Pirates, one of the most popular and enduring works by lyricist W.H. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, Frederic is a pirate apprentice who reaches the end of this term of service on his 21st birthday. Hoping to lead a more moral life, he leaves his fellow pirates behind and soon falls in love with Mabel, one of the many daughters of Major General Stanley.
Soon Frederic learns that the contract he thought was up may have a tricky clause that leaves him still bound to the pirates, and he finds himself caught between choosing to stay with the woman he loves or living up to his sense of duty.
“We have a lot of fun additions and approaches to the material that make this our own take on Pirates while still using the original text and music,” said Brockie. “Plus, there’s sword fighting, and who doesn’t enjoy a little sword fighting?”
A cast of over 30 Skyline students brings the dull-witted pirates, bumbling police, persnickety Stanley sisters, and the major general himself to life on stage. Just as many students are hard at work backstage creating the pirate ship, rocky seashore, and Stanley estate where the action takes place.
In addition to Brockie, the production staff includes producer Anne-Marie Roberts, technical director Chris Zinger, music director Jason Smith, vocal director Brian Rose, choreographer Ashley Ducker, and fight choreographer Joe Wright.
MAIN PHOTO: Mikey McElmeel! (right) is part of the tech crew, and is assistant stage managing for the Pirates of Penzance.
