Pirates of Penzance 2014 review in Livermore Independent

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THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014

Review

Triumphant “Pirates” Land in Livermore By Susan Steinberg “Hail, Hail, The Gang’s All Here:" a pack of poetical pirates, a bevy of beautiful maidens, a quivering corps of cops, and assorted eccentric characters. It’s the world-famous G & S operetta “The Pirates of Penzance," and in the capable hands of the Lamplighters Music Theatre, it’s a non-stop laugh-fest full of glorious singing. Best news of all, it’s coming to Livermore’s Bankhead Theater for performances on Saturday, August 23rd and Sunday, August 24th. The singers are also extraordinarily talented actors. A sold-out house resounded with bravos at their opening night in Walnut Creek’s Lesher Theater. Audiences were equally enthusiastic at Mountain View’s Performing Arts Center last week. Although I saw different lead singers at these two venues, I would be hard-pressed to declare a preference. In fact, I plan to see the show a third time in Livermore. (Yes, I’ll be buying my own ticket – it’s that delectable!) How lucky Valley residents are to have this internationally-awarded company here for three delightful performances, a chance to enjoy worldclass entertainment in our own local community! Both tenors playing Fredrick, the sappy “Slave of Duty” (the show’s subtitle) exhibit boyish charm and sincerity, as well as suitable soaring voices for the beautiful vocal lines,

Samuel Faustine as Frederic (double cast with Robert Vann), Chris Uzelac as Samuel, Charles Martin as the Pirate King (double cast with Ben Brady) and Deborah Rosengaus as Ruth (double cast with Sonia Garieaeff), The Pirates of Penzance. Photo - Rhys Cheung, 2014. well worth the hours of driving to out-of-town venues! Apprenticed (by mistake) to a pirate crew as a young boy, he has become a comically admirable “slave of duty” to them, despite despising their vocation. Freed from his contract at age 21, he vows to capture them only to discover that, as a leap year baby, going by birthdays, he is only “5 and a little bit over.” Ah, the perplexity of being a truly conscientious soul to the point of sheer idiocy! Poor Fredrick now feels sadly duty-bound to

return to piracy and join the assault on the castle of his beloved fiancee’s father. That befuddled personage, gloriously sung and acted by the wonderful Lawrence Ewing, shows off his erudition in the pompous patter-song “I Am The Very Model of a Modern Major-General” in which he describes his knowledge of arcane facts of history, art, and mathematics while admitting that he is totally innocent of any military education. That statement has tickled audiences from Victorian Times right up to our own

day: the man in charge (of FEMA, for example) who has no qualifications for the job. His giggling gaggle of daughters (all Wards of Chancery) are the pirates’ prospective brides, a distressing prospect for a proper person of rank. But how can he possibly thwart their plans? Adding to the high hilarity is a dashing, not-too-dastardly Pirate Captain (on opening night a gallantly aristocratic Charles Martin, whose rubber-faced mugging had the audience roaring with laughter).

Ruth, Frederick’s old nursery maid, responsible for his erroneous indenture, provided great comic relief as well, her expressions a perfect foil for every stage action. And action there was a-plenty, especially when a timid police force tried to summon up enough courage to face and fight the dreaded pirates. Their cockney Sergeant, an adorably-addled and timid minion of the law, endeared himself with the rueful solo, “A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One," echoed by his quaking chorus of cops, individually and collectively riotous.

Their Keystone Kops choreography brought down the house at every performance. Soaring over the company’s ensembles, heroine Mable’s gorgeous soprano negotiated virtually coloratura passages of great musical beauty while flirting outrageously to captivate the innocent young Frederick. Poor boy, he’s been at sea all his life, with no other female but Ruth, so just imagine his wide-eyed susceptibility to the coquettish charms of this sparkling and teasing beauty. Their instant mutual attraction and ensuing attempts to “get better acquainted” shock and scandalize all of Mable’s adorable sisters, but also fascinate them enough to eavesdrop dreamily on the happy couple. The results are predictably hilarious. A full professional orchestra led by famous Music Director Baker Peeples, started the show off with a rousing overture, including the famous “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here," and maintained the merry pace with unflagging enthusiasm. Meltingly romantic melodies prepared the audience for the irresistibly touching scenes to follow. It’s a rare combination, and was handled superbly. Huge romantic sets and lavish costumes added to the impressive production, brilliantly directed by Jane Erwin (continued on page 5)


THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014

Bob Alper

PIRATES 9continued from page 4) Hammett, whose every detail of staging brought the comedy into sharper focus. Truly a masterful presentation by a wellpolished company. No wonder the Lamplighters won acclaim as the top Gilbert and Sullivan troupe in the world at England’s International Competition. Even in the homeland of G & S, their incredible showmanship and magnificent singing won first place, a decision which must have been difficult for English judges to announce! A long-cherished British tradition, G & S shows became popular for combining irresistible comedy with deftly-pointed jabs at the ridiculous side of government, the Courts, and the wealthy “upper crust." Yes, even in Victorian days, they managed to poke fun at societal prudery, exaggerated aestheticism, and pretentious piety, as well as the very suspicious rise of certain questionable politicians. Those sharp jabs of Victorian times have now mellowed into the jovial good humor that has kept “Pirates” an audience favorite down through the years. As the Pirate King tartly observes: “I don’t

think much of our profession, but contrasted with respectability, it is relatively honest” for “in the cheating world…pirates all are well-to-do.” Even high government officials are skewered, as the Major-General proudly boasts of his mastery of “Babylonic cuneiform," while privately admitting he can’t tell “a Mauser rifle from a javelin," and knows no more of tactics than “a novice in a nunnery." All the clever lyrics are now clearly shown on supertitles, so the audience can enjoy every hilarious line, a great modern innovation. For a “first-rate opportunity” to “enjoy this with immunity," reserve tickets for this jolly good show on Saturday, August 23, at 2PM or 8PM, or Sunday, August 24 at 2PM . Climb on board for a rollicking good time by contacting the Bankhead Theater at 925-373-6800, or livermoreperformingarts.org. The theater is located at 2400 First Street in downtown Livermore. After 60 years of watching this fabulous company, I have NEVER failed to enjoy a superb performance, and this production is their finest to date. Don’t miss it!

Rabbi/Stand-Up Comic Performs in Pleasanton There’s a reason why Sirius/XM satellite radio plays Rabbi Bob Alper’s comedy bits several times daily, often sandwiched between Bob Newhart and Bill Cosby: Bob’s unique background - he’s an ordained rabbi who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary - prepared him well for a twenty-seven year comedy career with wonderfully unique material presented in a way that’s intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean. It will be 90 minutes of non-stop laughter on Wednesday, August 27th, when “the world’s only practicing clergyman doing stand-up comedy - intentionally,” returns to the Bay Area in programs open to the entire community. He will perform in Pleasanton at 7:30 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 27 at Congregation

Bob Alper Beth Emek, 3400 Nevada Court. The New York Times put it succinctly: Bob “… had the audience convulsing.” The Chicago Tribune described Bob’s act as “Hilarious. Relaxed, clean, unhurtful. A warm type of humor.” Tickets are $20. Information and tickets are available at http://bobalper.bpt. me/ and 925-931-1055.

Gilbert & Sullivan’s swashbuckling musical comedy

Aug 14-17 • YBCA, SF 415-978-2787 • ybca.org Aug 23-24 • Livermore 925-373-6800 "wry, sly and bright as a summer day... a tiny masterpiece" - Pat Craig, Mercury News

lamplighters.org

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British Delegates Enjoy Wine and Shakespeare Discussion The Livermore Shakespeare Festival Board of Directors, led by Chair Elizabeth Trutner, Esq., and Artistic Director Lisa Tromovitch hosted delegates from The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust on Sun., July 27. On hand were Paul Edmondson, the University of Warwick; Paul Prescott, and Misfits Inc. representatives, Melissa and AJ Leon. The visitors took part in a wine tour, "Livermore Shakespeare Festival – Past, Present and Future." The professors are preparing a book on Shakespeare in America. MisfitsInc. is creating an on-line presence for the current research tour "Shakespeare on the Road," a reverse-pilgrimage to explore Shakespeare production in North America. Representatives from area Shakespeare festivals toured with the delegates to Retzlaff Estate Wiinery, Concannon Vineyard and Wente Vineyards (past, present and potential future venues for Livermore Shakes) as they discussed Shakespeare production world-wide. Will Brown and Sarah Connor-Brown of Arabian Shakespeare shared plans for their next international education program. Actress Jennifer Le Blanc represented four companies, as she works regularly with Livermore and Arabian Shakes as well as SF Shakes and Pacific Repertory in Carmel. The group of 14 agreed that the Livermore Valley Wine Country lifestyle pairs perfectly with Shakespeare. For news and information about Livermore Shakespeare Festival visit: www.LivermoreShakes.org


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