 |
| Leading the cast of “The Pirates of Penzance” are from left: Constance Anderson, Ryan Jackson, and Victor M. Aponte. |
Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for children under 12, and $6 for Clarion University students with valid identification card. For advance tickets call (814) 393-ARTS or purchase online at http://www.clarion.edu/19088/
Additional performances are Aug. 5-7 and 11-14 at Sawmill Theatre, Cook Forest. Contact the Sawmill Theatre for additional information.
"The Pirates of Penzance," words by W. S. Gilbert and music by Sir Arthur Sullivan was first performed in 1880. It is one of their 13 musical-theatre collaborations.
"It has become the most successful musicals in the history of theatre, with over 130 years of constant production," said Robert Levy, chair of Clarion University's Department of Theatre and director of the production. "Gilbert and Sullivan are largely responsible for what we think of today as the musical. This is the only one of their plays to premiere in New York City and London on the same day so it would become the first play to receive an international copyright."
The story concerns Frederic, who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band pirates. He leaves vowing to bring destruction to the pirates as payback for all the evil he has done. He meets Mabel, a daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two young people fall instantly in love. However, due to a loophole in his contract, Frederick discovers that he is not free and is still sworn to help the pirates.
Levy notes that Gilbert, who was also an attorney, found ways to place legalities into many of his plots. "The loophole is a plot device only Gilbert could devise, but it all ends happily," Levy said. "Gilbert hinges his work on topsy-turvy twists, taking the world and turning it on its head to point out its inconsistencies, mostly created by the ruling class."
Sullivan's songs include: "Poor Wand'ring One,""I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General," and "With Cat-Like Tread, Upon Our Prey We Steal."
"He was a favorite of Queen Victoria," said Levy about Sullivan. "He completed many works for theatre, chorus, and orchestra. His most famous choral composition is "Onward Christian Soldiers".
"Although "Pirates" was called a comic opera by its creators, it is a musical with well-loved songs and a very funny script. It is all about duty, love, greed, pretention, sword fights, and bloodthirsty pirates."
The cast includes:
Victor M. Aponte as Frederic. Aponte, a senior theatre major, is a son of Luz Aponte of Erie and is a graduate of McDowell High School. He is also co-choreographing the dance sequences.
Constance Anderson as Mabel. Anderson, a senior liberal studies major, is a daughter of Martha Anderson of Kane and is a graduate of Kane High School.
Ryan Jackson as the Pirate King. Jackson, a senior theatre major, is a son of Lisa Jackson of Ambridge and is a graduate of Moon High School.
Connor Mrozowski as Major-General Stanley. Mrozowski, a junior theatre major, is a son of John Mrozowski of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Winchester Thurston High School.
Nic Barilar as Samuel. Barilar, a junior theatre major, is a son of Tracy Smith of Punxsutawney and Al Barilar of Wilmington, Ohio, and is a graduate of Punxsutawney High School.
Erin Thompson as Ruth. Thompson, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of Steven and Maureen Thompson of Canonsburg and is a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School.
Jamie Richard as Sergeant of Police. Richard, who recently graduated from Clarion University with a degree in communication and a minor in theatre, is a son of Randall and Gloria Richard of Reading and is a graduate of Exeter Township High School.
Shawn Arnold and Joseph Pettine as the Constabulary. Arnold, a senior secondary education/social studies and theatre major, is a son of Mary Arnold of Philipsburg and is a graduate of Philipsburg-Osceola High School.
Pettine received his degree in secondary education/English from Clarion University in May 2009. He resides in Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Abington High School.
Amy Sabousky appears as a surprise guest. Sabousky is secretary for the department of theatre.
The pirates include: John Rose, Adam Huff, Michael Jaworski, John Wilshire, and Jonathon White.
Rose is a freshman musical theatre major. He is the son of James and Linda Rose and a recent graduate of Clarion Area High School.
Huff, a senior communication major, is the son of Roger and Marian Huff of North Huntingdon and is a graduate of Greensburg Central Catholic High School.
Jaworski, a sophomore theatre major, is a son of Dr. Stephen Jaworski of New Bethlehem and is a graduate of Redbank Valley High School.
Wilshire, a freshman arts and sciences major, is a son of Ron and Stephanie Wilshire of Clarion and is a graduate of Clarion High School.
White, a sophomore biology major, is a son of Jerry White of Morrisdale and is a graduate of West Branch High School.
The daughters of Major General Stanley are: Danielle Watt, Trynaty Amber, Lauren Sarazen, Kristina Papa, Caitlin White, Callie Freenock, Kaite Laurie, Whitney Hayes, and Brittany Tague.
Watt, a junior music education major, a daughter of Frank Watt of Kittanning and a graduate of Elderton High School.
Amber, a sophomore psychology major, is a daughter of Andrea Schluderberg of Felton and is a graduate of Red Lion High School.
Sarazen, a senior secondary education/English major, is a daughter of Noreen Sarazen of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of North Hills High School. She is also co-choreographing the dance sequences.
Papa, a freshman psychology major, a daughter of Olga Papa of Mountain Top and a graduate of Crestwood High School.
White is a daughter of Dr. George and Deborah White of Clarion.
Freenock is a student at Clarion High School and is a daughter of Nancy Frenock of Clarion.
Laurie, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of Mary Laurie of Stamford, Conn., and is a graduate of Westhill High School. She also serves the production as the fight choreographer.
Hayes, a student at West Chester University, is a daughter of Jeff Hayes of Bethel Park and is a graduate of Bethel Park High School.
Tague, a sophomore theatre major, is a daughter of Bonnie Tague of Verona and is a graduate of Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
Lauren Farine is the stage manager. Farine, a junior theatre major, is a daughter of Leah Farine of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of North Hills High School.
Audrina Zaczyk is the set designer. Zaczyk, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of Mary Zaczyk of Yatesboro and is a graduate of West Shamokin High School.
Elizabeth McNamara is the costume designer. McNamara received her degree in theatre from Clarion in May 2009. She resides in Pittsburgh.
Karl Jacobson is the lighting designer. Jacobson, who received his degree in theatre from Clarion in December 2009, is a son of Harold and Deborah Jacobson of Clarion and is a graduate of Clarion Area High School,
William Nelson is the musical director. Nelson, a December 2009 graduate in music education, is a son of Ric and Pat Nelson of Rural Valley and is a graduate of West Shamokin High School.
Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.
