Ahoy, matey.
Performed by the combined talents of students from Tyburn Academy, Casey Park and SS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian schools, “The Pirates of Penzance” is making its way to the Morgan Opera House in Aurora.
The operetta was first performed with composers William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan in America on New York's Fifth Avenue Theater in December 1879.
“The Pirates of Penzance,” also know as “The Slave of Duty” in England, tells a satirical tale of a boy named Frederic who, as a child, 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.
Frederic, who was born Feb. 29 on a leap year, must remain indentured to the band of pirates until his 21st birthday.
Director Barbara Murphy, along with musical director David Correll, have put in long hours with a cast of students ranging from fourth through 12th grade.
“We picked this because two senior boys that we have were perfect for the lead roles,” Murphy said. “We knew if we didn't do it this year, we wouldn't do it at all because they were just perfect.”
In moving to the opera house from a production in Auburn, the cast will be forced to get acclimated with the smaller stage, single entrance and the tilted stage.
“We've had to condense some of the numbers visually,” Murphy explained. “Things may get a little squished, but we'll do just fine.”
Murphy said this is the fourth year in which the three schools have come together to perform.
“I'm really pleased with their performance,” Murphy said, explaining how many of the performers are only in fourth or fifth grade.
“The younger kids memorize things much quicker sometimes,” she added.
Being an operetta, “The Pirates of Penzance” is percent music” she said. “We based our performance on the 1984 production.”
Staff writer Beth Noyes can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 252 or at beth.noyes@lee.net
If you go
What: “The Pirates of Penzance”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Morgan Opera House, Aurora
Cost: $7 adults, $5 seniors/students, $3 children, $20 family rate
For details: Call 364-8402
The operetta was first performed with composers William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan in America on New York's Fifth Avenue Theater in December 1879.
“The Pirates of Penzance,” also know as “The Slave of Duty” in England, tells a satirical tale of a boy named Frederic who, as a child, 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.
Frederic, who was born Feb. 29 on a leap year, must remain indentured to the band of pirates until his 21st birthday.
Director Barbara Murphy, along with musical director David Correll, have put in long hours with a cast of students ranging from fourth through 12th grade.
“We picked this because two senior boys that we have were perfect for the lead roles,” Murphy said. “We knew if we didn't do it this year, we wouldn't do it at all because they were just perfect.”
In moving to the opera house from a production in Auburn, the cast will be forced to get acclimated with the smaller stage, single entrance and the tilted stage.
“We've had to condense some of the numbers visually,” Murphy explained. “Things may get a little squished, but we'll do just fine.”
Murphy said this is the fourth year in which the three schools have come together to perform.
“I'm really pleased with their performance,” Murphy said, explaining how many of the performers are only in fourth or fifth grade.
“The younger kids memorize things much quicker sometimes,” she added.
Being an operetta, “The Pirates of Penzance” is percent music” she said. “We based our performance on the 1984 production.”
Staff writer Beth Noyes can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 252 or at beth.noyes@lee.net
If you go
What: “The Pirates of Penzance”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Morgan Opera House, Aurora
Cost: $7 adults, $5 seniors/students, $3 children, $20 family rate
For details: Call 364-8402
