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Pirates Take Over Owen Theatre
by Chris Merchant |
The Star-crossed couple
Daddy, the Modern Major General
A bevy of sisters
And the local constabulary
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The Mars Hill College Theater presents the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, The Pirates of Penzance at the Owen Theatre April 14-17. The play is a musical comedy written by W.S. Gilbert, with music by Arthur Sullivan.
This play is unique for the Mars Hill Theatre in that more than 30 actors will be on stage at one time. Including the production staff, more than 50 students are involved in the play.
"This is the largest production we have produced in my four years here and most likely the largest show held here in quite some time," said Director Neil St. Clair.
In the Pirates of Penzance, Frederic (Donia Paynes) was apprenticed as a child to a band of orphan pirates by his nurse who, being hard of hearing, had mistaken her master's instructions to apprentice the boy as a pilot.
When the play begins, Frederic's term of indenture is almost up, and he is preparing to leave the band and devote himself to the extermination of piracy upon completing his 21st year. He rejoices that he has fulfilled his obligation and will soon be free to return to respectable society, but it turns out that he was born on February 29 in a leap year. So, he has celebrated only five "birthdays" and must remain apprenticed to the pirates until he reaches 21.
Throughout the play, the pirate king (Josh Whitt), a major general (Kyle Mason), his large family of beautiful daughters, and a timid police force all contribute to the chaos that can be silenced only by Queen Victoria's name.
"Pirates of Penzance is a Gilbert and Sullivan classic. It is a tremendous amount of fun to watch and perform. The audience will love it." says St. Clair
Starring in lead roles for the first time will be Donía Paynes and Rachel Shipley. Paynes will be playing the role of the young pirate Frederic. Rachel Shipley will be playing Mabel, a daughter of the Major General who takes a particular interest in Frederic. Both actors are Music Theater majors.
Musical Director Dewitt Tipton will perform all of the music for the play on the piano.
There will be evening performances Wednesday, April 14, through Saturday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee Sunday, April 18 at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students and children; however, Mars Hill students enter free Wednesday and Thursday. Faculty is free on Friday.
| Dramatis Personae |
Major Gen. Stanley
Pirate King
Samuel
Sergeant of Police
Mabel
Kate
Edith
Isabel
Ruth
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Kyle Mason
Josh Whitt
Jeremy Gale
Jason Aycock
Rachel Shipley
Jen Strand
Chelsey Gaddy
Leigh Anne Spencer
Melena Whittington
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Pirates
Jason Aycock
Chip Braswell
Michael Fisher
Jason Kindel
Justin Phaneuf
Larry Putnam
Chris Smith
Joseph Thomas
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Sisters
Tiffanie Boone
Joy Celeste
Sheena Camp
Natasha Harrison
Ashely McCorkle
MK Lyerly
Tela Simmons
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Policemen
Ryan Baggett
Immanuel Elliot
David Fields
Jason Kindel
Larry Putnam
Marc Laster
Dante Payne
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