Gilbert and Sullivan return to Stratford as The Pirates of Penzance starts previews

www.insurancerate.com StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto- 

May 3, 2012… The Festival renews its long-standing Gilbert and Sullivan tradition this season with the joyous musical rompThe Pirates of Penzance. Directed by Ethan McSweeny, this new production of one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s best-loved comic operettas begins previews at the Avon Theatre on May 3.

Mr. McSweeny made a dynamic Stratford debut in 2010 with the seductive Dangerous Liaisons. His directing credits elsewhere include Never the Sinner, for which he won a Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award, and The Best Man, for which he received a Tony nomination for best direction. He has helmed more than 60 productions of world premières, classics, revivals and musicals worldwide, and is the Artistic Director of the Chautauqua Theater Company in Chautauqua, New York.

“This piece has extraordinary wit and humour,” says Mr. McSweeny. “It’s a natural fit for Stratford because it requires actors with really strong language skills. The text is incredibly funny and needs to be heard and understood with a great deal of clarity.”

The operetta tells the hilariously improbable story of a dutiful young man named Frederic who, as a child, was mistakenly indentured to a band of pirates. On attaining the age of 21, believing that he has at last fulfilled his obligations to his shipmates, Frederic renounces their way of life and vows to set about seeking their downfall. He also falls in love with the beautiful Mabel. But when the pirates discover a hitherto overlooked technicality in the terms of his contract with them, Frederic feels himself duty bound to forsake both his mission and the woman of his dreams.

“When I look back over my tenure, I feel particularly proud of having brought Ethan McSweeny to Stratford,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “Christopher Hampton, the playwright of Dangerous Liaisons, thought that Ethan’s production of that play was the best he’d ever seen, and I believe our legions of Gilbert and Sullivan fans can expect an equally revelatory experience with Pirates.”

“Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas have been favourites with Festival audiences ever since Tyrone Guthrie’s groundbreaking HMS Pinafore in 1960,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “Our innovative productions in the 1980s and 1990s won a huge following. Now once again we’re taking a fresh approach to this beloved repertoire that will surely inspire a whole new generation of G&S fans.”

This production features a stellar cast including Sean Arbuckle as the Pirate King, Kyle Blair as Frederic and Amy Wallisas Mabel.

C. David Johnson is Major-General Stanley, Gabrielle Jones is Ruth and Steve Ross is the Sergeant of the Police.

In creating their vision of the fanciful Victorian world in which the production is set, the design team drew inspiration from Steampunk, a genre of literature, art and fashion that incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy and alternative history.

“As we searched for something that spanned the Victorian while still retaining a contemporary edge, we stumbled upon the Steampunk movement,” says Mr. McSweeny. “I was thrilled to learn more about these retro-futurists in our midst and to incorporate into the design parts of their glorious expression of neo-Victoriana through the lens of Jules Verne.”

The production’s artistic team also includes Musical Director Franklin Brasz, Choreographer Marcos Santana, Set DesignerAnna Louizos, Costume Designer Paul Tazewell, Lighting Designer Howell Binkley, Sound Designer Jim Neil, Orchestrator Michael Starobin, and Arranger Mark Camilleri.

The Pirates of Penzance is co-sponsored by RBC.

Support for the 2012 season of the Avon Theatre is generously provided by the Birmingham Family.  Production support for The Pirates of Penzance is graciously provided by Dr. Dennis and Dorothea Hacker.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2012 season runs until October 28, featuring Much Ado About Nothing; 42^nd Street, The Matchmaker; Henry V; You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Pirates of Penzance; A Word or Two; Cymbeline; Wanderlust;Elektra; MacHomer; The Best Brothers; Hirsch and The War of 1812.

Cast (in alphabetical order)       

Ward....................................................................................... Sarah Afful

Thomas, The Pirate King........................................................... Sean Arbuckle

Frederic................................................................................... Kyle Blair

Pirate...................................................................................... Andrew Broderick

Edith........................................................................................ Naomi Costain

Pirate, Police............................................................................ Stephen Cota

Ward....................................................................................... Jacquelyn French

Pirate, Police............................................................................ Nicko Giannakos

Pirate...................................................................................... Kyle Golemba

Pirate, Police............................................................................ Larry Herbert

Ward....................................................................................... Julianne Hobby

Kate........................................................................................ Keely Hutton

Major-General Stanley............................................................. C. David Johnson

Pirate, Police............................................................................ Galen Johnson

Ruth........................................................................................ Gabrielle Jones

Ward....................................................................................... Monique Lund

Ward....................................................................................... Ayrin Mackie

Sergeant of the Police.............................................................. Steve Ross

Pirate, Police............................................................................ Jay T. Schramek

Pirate...................................................................................... Travis Seetoo

Pirate...................................................................................... David Silvestri

Ward....................................................................................... Jennifer Stewart

Samuel.................................................................................... Jordan Till

Pirate, Police............................................................................ Geoffrey Tyler

Ward....................................................................................... Tahirih Vejdani

Mabel...................................................................................... Amy Wallis

Isabel...................................................................................... Abigail Winter-Culliford

Musician, violin........................................................................ Anna Atkinson

Musician, guitar....................................................................... Terry McKenna

Musician, concertina................................................................ George Meanwell

Swing...................................................................................... Matthew Armet

Swing ...................................................................................... Rachel Crowther

Artistic team

Director................................................................................... Ethan McSweeny

Choreographer........................................................................ Marcos Santana

Musical Director....................................................................... Franklin Brasz

Set Designer............................................................................ Anna Louizos

Costume Designer................................................................... Paul Tazewell

Lighting Designer..................................................................... Howell Binkley

Sound Designer....................................................................... Jim Neil

Orchestrator............................................................................ Michael Starobin

Arrangements......................................................................... Mark Camilleri

Fight Director........................................................................... Daniel Levinson

Stunt Coordinator.................................................................... Simon Fon

Associate Conductor................................................................ Michael Barber

Assistant Director..................................................................... Darcy Evans

Assistant Choreographer.......................................................... Tammy Nera

Assistant Set Designer.............................................................. Brandon Kleiman

Assistant Costume Designer..................................................... Laura Gardner

Assistant Lighting Designer....................................................... Kaileigh Krysztofiak

Assistant Fight Director............................................................ Simon Fon

Dance Captain.......................................................................... Matthew Armet

Fight Captain............................................................................ Stephen Cota

Fight Captain............................................................................ Galen Johnson

Stage Manager........................................................................ Michael Hart

Assistant Stage Manager.......................................................... Melanie Klodt Wong

Assistant Stage Manager.......................................................... Holly Korhonen

Assistant Stage Manager.......................................................... Melissa Rood

Production Assistant................................................................ Kenilee Kehler

Production Stage Manager....................................................... Julie Miles

Production Stage Manager....................................................... Maxwell T. Wilson

Technical Director.................................................................... Elissa Horscroft