Theatre Review: The Pirates of Penzance in Colchester

St. Michael's Playhouse has opened their season with a rousing production of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.  The cast of this familiar story of the innocent apprentice pirate, the Major General with his seven beautiful daughters and the bumbling policemen is filled with excellent singers who do justice to the Gilbert and Sullivan score.

Musical Director Frank Spitznagel and arranger/orchestrator Paul J. Ascenzo, along with the excellent seven-piece orchestra ably led from the piano by Mr. Spitznagel, provide an outstanding foundation for the production.

Director/choreographer Kieth Andrews has used every bit of playing space to great advantage, including a couple of rambunctious entrances down the aisles.  With the exception of a couple of moments of questionable taste, particularly Ruth's honky-tonk bit and Frederic's pseudo-rock writhing, his staging and choreography are terrific.  The policemen are delightful in "Tarantara" and "A Policeman's Lot".  Mr. Andrews has come up with the funniest version of "With Cat-Like Tread" I've ever seen.  He obviously has a flair for comic staging.

The cast is generally strong.  The ensemble, (daughters, pirates and policemen), sing and dance very well and seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.  Jason Nettle is very good as Samuel, the Pirate King's tattooed lieutenant.  As the Sergeant of Police, Billy Ernst is nimble of foot and tongue and very funny.  Jennifer Babiak as Mabel, the eldest daughter, sings beautifully and shows a nice comedic touch.

Oddly, in spite of her extensive credits in comedy, Kathryn Markey as Ruth doesn't seem to have quite caught the style of the piece, especially in Act I.  She sings very well, though, as does Eric Sciotto as Frederic.  However, Mr. Sciotto lacks the quality of goofy naiveté required by the part and seems to be playing in a more contemporary vein.  I found myself distracted by his inability to control his flowing locks.

The two stand-outs are John Patrick Hayden as the Pirate King and Bill Carmichael as the Major General.  Mr. Hayden's acting and body language are nothing short of hilarious and his singing is first rate.  Mr. Carmichael is wonderful in his signature patter song and his interpretation of "Sighing Softly to the River" while flitting about in a bathrobe waving a long handkerchief like a superannuated disciple of Isadora Duncan is masterful.  Director Andrews adds to the fun by populating the stage behind him with pirates and policemen hiding in plain sight.

Ann Bartek has designed a very workable set that provides a large playing area and many levels.  I particularly liked the opening curtain stretched to look like a ship's sail.  Linda E. Kelly's costumes are good, especially the daughters' frilly pastel night-gear.  Michael Lounsbery's sound design is fine, aside from a few opening night glitches.

Mr. Andrews's direction and Mr. Spitznagel's music retain all the charm and humor of this perennial favorite.  This enjoyable production is an auspicious beginning for the St. Michael's Playhouse season.

On a scale of one to five the St. Michael's Playhouse production of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE gets four and one fourth covered bridges.  For North Country Public Radio I'm Connie Meng.