by Charlsie-Kern Kruger

One very notable and welcome feature of Lamplighters current delightful production of “Pirates of Penzance” is the large number of excellent performers making their Lamplighters debuts in this production. The presence of
so many is an assurance that Lamplighters is in good hands for decades to come. What more wonderful takeaway could we ask than that?”

The production is a pirate’s treasure chest of enjoyment. As is usual with Lamplighters, the director (Michael Mohammed) has given careful thought to finding new and interesting angles to explore. He sums up his view with this apt observation: “There is a thin line between nobility and ferality in the world of this show.” This is a brilliant summation of Gilbert’s satirical insight that helps us to see why it continues to pack such a punch after nearly 150 years.

Mohammed plays out the reality of this thin line with a clever conceit: these pirates (fallen noblemen all) are effete and dainty. In most productions, taking a cue from Sullivan’s lusty pirate music, the cutthroats are played with an exaggerated swashbuckling virility. In keeping with Mohammed’s hilarious interpretation, the opposite approach is taken: when these pirates drink sherry, it is poured from a teapot into delicate china cups from which the pirates sip, pinkies pointed upward. Their costumes (credit Miriam Lewis) might have been designed after consultations with Ru Paul. By contrast, it is the maidens who are lusty and aggressive!

The performers playing Frederick (Maxwell Ary ) and Mabel (Syona Ayyankerill) are both making their debuts, and they are superb singers and actors. Ayyankerill has a particularly fine voice throughout her impressive range, and dynamic expressiveness that includes a startlingly clear pianissimo, used to good effect. Maxwell Ary’s singing is straightforward and powerful, delivered with authority.

The rest of the company and the orchestra are up to Lamplighters’ usual high standards. Sarah Szeibel as Ruth, Joshua Hughes as Major-Stanley, and Edu Gonzalez-Maldonado as the Pirate King sing well and know how to deliver the laughs.

The setting by Peter Crompton is charming and facilitates the staging very well.

Hurrah for The Pirates of Penzance!

“Pirates of Penzance” plays matinees only at the Blue Shield Theater at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on August 17th and 18th. For further information click here.

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Rating: *** (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“The Pirates of Penzance,” by Gilbert and Sullivan. Presented by The Lamplighters. Director/Choreographer: Michael Muhammed. Music Director: Brett Strader. Costume Designer: Miram Lewis. Set Designer: Peter Crompton. Lighting Designer: Brittany Mellerson. Properties Manager: Daniel Yelen. Technical Director: Sam Dubois.

Cast:

Samuel: Max Kligman. Pirate King: Edu Gonzalez-Maldonado. Frederic: Max Ary. Ruth: Sarah Szeibel. Edith: Addy Geenan. Kate: Camry Finn. Isabel: Elizabeth Fortescue-Hall. Mabel: Syona Ayyankeril. Major-General Stanley: Joshua Hughes. Sargeant of Police: Chris Pilcher.  Ensemble: Aaliyah Capili, Susanna Gilbert, Madison Jewell, Brianna Stutzman, Daria Amit, Megan Robertson, Christy Xu, Audrey Carstensen, Derek Cousineau, Corwin James Wilson, Carly Ozard, Tony DeLouisa, Darren Fletcher, Daniel Griffin, Ross Kladko.