Pirates of Penance (on stage)

Well, I did say we could post about any kind of media....

Tonight we went to see Pirates of Penzance, a Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera on stage at Spokane's Civic Theater, (or is it Theatre? You may choose.) What a gem! I was impressed to learn that the play itself was first performed in 1879. (This shows how much, or is it little, that I know!)

Did I mention it was an opera? A comedy? Between the high operatic notes and the humor as well as the fantastic costumes, set design and acting we were quite entertained. For me, it was my first opera, and I tell you, I have never really liked opera, mostly because I had no idea what was being said. This show was in English, lively and humorous.

Frederic a young man serving as an indentured apprenticeship to a band of pirates turns twenty one and is released from service to them, vowing to stop pirating, having only done it because it was his duty.... He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, with whom he fallss in love. Now he vows to fulfill his duty to rid the world of scoundrel pirates. (Who really are tenderhearted pirates... and are even nice to orphans.) But this is only until Fredrick finds out that he is not quite twenty one... he was born, it seems on leap year making him only 5 which means he must serve, as is his duty, for another 63 years and Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully.

I talked to one friend who said she has seen several production of Pirates over the years and she thought this one was the best. Her reason: She said some of them try to be too modern in the presentation and this one was really done well without the modernization.

I actually found this show to be quite refreshing. It had a lot of redemptive quality.

There was the "call to duty".... the idea of marriage.... the Major general feels guilty for lying to the pirates... the pirates are merciful... the Major asks forgiveness of the pirates... stuff like that. Wholesome is really the one word I would use to describe this show. Wholesome, creative and just plain fun to watch.

If you like theater and want to see a good show, I heartily recommend Pirates of Penzance. However, please note that they are picky and do not allow young children in the audience. I think they offer special performances for people with kids.

And I want you to know that I am being objective, as least for someone who enjoys theater... and being objective as possible with my daughter is in the show! In the photo she is in the middle-back, wearing the pink dress.