CONCLUDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our special thanks to Pauls Valley High School and Band Director Drew Etheridge, First Presbyterian Church of Pauls Valley, First United Methodist Church Pauls Valley, and First Christian Church Edmond for rehearsal and performance spaces. GCCSS also gratefully appreciates the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Pauls Valley Arts Council, the Pauls Valley Democrat, the Garvin County News-Star, Williamson’s Furniture and High Noon Bar & Lounge for their support. Special thanks as well to Ron and Peggy Patton, Chas and Mary Gowing Jay and Kathleen Carlton and Dan Barney for providing for housing and transportation for out-of-town guests.
GARVIN COUNTY CHORAL SOCIETY & SINFONIETTA Founded in 2021, the Garvin County Choral Society & Sinfonietta (GCCSS) is an independent performing arts organization ̶ a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit ̶ that serves the area thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors. The purpose of the society includes (1) enriching the cultural life of area residents by providing a variety of great choral and orchestral music currently not available in the area including oratorios, light operas, and children’s musicals and (2) attracting area tourists. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: GCCSS is incorporated and governed by a self-perpetuating board of nine members: Dan Barney (Chairman), Peggy Patton (Vice Chair and Secretary), Vicki Rennie (Treasurer), Gary Beadles, Candace Blalock, Kathleen Carlton, Allison Dunham and Steve Freeman (General Manager). Ex Officio: Jack Bowman (Artistic Director).
DONORS AND SPONSORS
SINFONIETTA
Performances by GCCSS are made possible by gifts from individual donors, corporate and in-kind sponsors. We express our gratitude to the members of these societies:
Flute: Nancy Stizza Ortega (McAlester) Wren Pfahl (Hendersonville, TN)
MEMBER SOCIETIES BACH SOCIETY ($10,000 and above)
Bruce McEver &
City of Pauls Valley Tourism Board
HANDEL SOCIETY ($5,000 and above) HAYDN SOCIETY ($2,500 and above) Gary Beadles, The Chickasaw Nation, First Presbyterian Church (In-Kind) MOZART SOCIETY ($1,000 and above) Dan Barney (in memory of Peggy Barney), Legacy Accounting/ Kyle Readnour, Burns Densmore (in memory of Peggy Barney) BEETHOVEN SOCIETY ($500 and above) First United Bank, Candace Blalock (in memory of Dan Sprouse), Ron & Peggy Patton (in memory of Barbara Hagist), Pauls Valley National Bank, Valley Body Shop
Oboe: Rachel Maczko (Atlanta, GA) Clarinet: Jim Meiller (Rochester, NY) Tori Venski (Yukon)
Percussion: Keith Hendricks (San Benito, TX) 1st Violin: Hong Zhu (Guiyang, China) Lu Deng (Guiyang, China) Ai-Wei Chang (Taiwan) Tova Olkinetzky (Norman)
Bassoon: Larry Reed (Norman)
2nd Violin: Steve Waddell (Wichita, KS) Elisa Greidanus (Grand Rapids, MI) Chazlen Rook (Edmond)
Horn: Derek Matthesen (Moore) Peggy Moran (OKC)
Viola: Joseph Guevara (OKC) Lacie Bowlware (OKC)
Trumpet: Karl Sievers (Louisville, KY) Micheal Anderson (Fairbury, IL)
Cello: Emily Stoops (Davenport, IA) Jean Statham (OKC)
Trombone: John Allen (Hermitage, PA) Joshua Gaub (Lynnwood, WA)
Bass: Nick Barnaby (Norman)
BRAHMS SOCIETY ($250 and above)
ENSEMBLE Major General's Daughters
Pirates
Jeanne Balcerak
Pauls Valley
Jay Carlton
Pauls Valley
Kathleen Carlton
Pauls Valley
Geoff Carlton
Pauls Valley
Carol Coats
Edmond
Ethan Eagle
Moore
Noma Curtis
Paoli
Steve Freeman
Pauls Valley
Brianna-Jo Davis
Ada
Ronald Milledge
Pauls Valley
Serinity Dial
Moore
Adino Morgan
Moore
Caydence Dowdy
Moore
Peggy Patton
Pauls Valley
Frankie Duncan
Paoli
Ronnie Patton
Pauls Valley
Terri Earnhart
Edmond
Wiley Winters
Pauls Valley
Melania Frost
Pauls Valley
Rhonda Gibbs
Pauls Valley
Police
Mary Gowing
Pauls Valley
Wayne Coats
Edmond
Jennifer Hast
Edmond
Paul Dodson
Edmond
Julie Hockensmith Edmond
Garry Dowell
Edmond
Linda Isaak
Edmond
Michael Grant
Edmond
Laura Ledbetter
Pauls Valley
Michael Hast
Edmond
Marie Milledge
Pauls Valley
Leonard Wallace Edmond
Sharon Mugg
Edmond
David Watts
Amy Pack
Pauls Valley
Diana Pruitt
Pauls Valley
Rehearsal Accompanists
Susan Rindal
Pauls Valley
Frankie Duncan
Paoli
Holley Sanders
Pauls Valley
Gary Dowell
Edmond
Layton Weaver
Moore
Connie Westhof
Edmond
Becky Winn
Edmond
Edmond
First United Methodist Church Pauls Valley (In-Kind), Betty Lam, Pauls Valley Public Schools (In-Kind), Charles & Brenda Wooster STRAVINSKY SOCIETY ($100 and above) Richard & Cinda Bailey, Teresa Begley, Terry & Cathy Cash, Ann Cloutier, Kirk & Allison Dunham, Charles & Mary Gowing, Jack & Adrienne Grimmett, Cecily Gulihur, Lou Hall, Jo Ann Hart, Dr. Kim & Susan Jones, William & Julie McAngus, Martha McElroy, Robert & Vicki Rennie, William & Virginia Woodworth BERNSTEIN SOCIETY ($50 minimum) Kenna Chapman, Gayle Christensen, Noma Curtis, Frankie Duncan, Melanie Frost, Matthew & Joni Hamilton, Timothy and Charlene Hawkins, Vicki Kirtley, Marquitta Luster, Pamela McGee & Richard Watts, Ronald & Melanie Milledge, Beca Patton, Linda Pesterfield, Diana Pruitt, Holley Sanders, Wiley Winters, Tamitha Zook
Join a Society and help fund the next performance. To make a contribution: Send mail to GCCSS,
P.O. Box 1334, Pauls Valley, OK 73075, visit our website at www.GarvinCountySings.weebly.com or email GarvinCountySings@gmail.com.
SYNOPSIS
DIRECTORS & PRODUCTION TEAM
ACT I: Frederic, a pirate apprentice, is celebrating his 21st birthday and now that he has completed his apprenticeship, announces he hates piracy and will leave the crew to find a wife and settle down. On shore, he quickly happens upon a group of young women, wards in chancery to Major-General Stanley, and quickly falls in love with the daughter Mabel. Meanwhile, the pirates have crept up on him and the ladies with the intentions of making the daughters their sweethearts. As they are about to be abducted, Major-General Stanley arrives, explains his impeccable credentials and saves his daughters by declaring himself an orphan. The pirates, who are also orphans, leave empty handed as they have pledged to never harm another orphan.
Conductor/Artistic Director/CEO Dr. Jack Bowman Besides leading GCCSS, Jack is music director at First Christian Church, Edmond, OK, and is Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Wichita Mountains Historical Drama. He served more than 35 years as a dean of fine arts and communication programs at institutions in Oklahoma, Illinois, South Carolina, Minnesota and Istanbul, Turkey. Maestro Bowman has conducted professionally in France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Italy, the Bahamas, Poland, Turkey and Russa. He has recorded two CDs with the Janacek Orchestra of the Czech Republic. He has also conducted ballet companies across the U.S., as well as Tchaikovsky’s storybook ballets with the Russian National Ballet in Russia.
ACT II: At his estate, Major-General Stanley confesses to his daughters that he is not actually an orphan, but he fears the pirates will find out his lie. He finds solace in learning Frederic has plans to join a band of policemen against the pirates. Frederic’s intention is derailed when he learns from the Pirate King and his former nurse, Ruth, that he was born on Leap Day (February 29 th, which comes only once every four years) and while he’s lived 21 years, he has had far fewer birthdays. (His pirate apprenticeship contract remains until his 21st birthday, not his 21st year). Frederic acknowledges his obligation to return to the pirates, but first asks Mabel to promise and wait for him until he comes of age. Learning that the Major-General lied about being an orphan, the pirates make plans to assault his home and steal his daughters. They are met by the policeman and the chief of police demands they yield “in Queen Victoria’s name.” The pirates, loyal to their queen, give in are ready to be taken in, when Ruth saves them by declaring them “noblemen gone wrong.” They are released and Major-General Stanley gives permission for them to marry his daughters, including Frederic and Mabel. (SOURCE: The Florentine Opera Company, Milwaukee, WI)
Stage Director Alan Wager Alan brings to the production more than 30 years of experience working in theatre, television and film as a director and producer. He and his partner Robert Levinstein helmed the acclaimed Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT, for the past four years, bringing the venerable summer theatre to a whole new level of success and recognition. As Artistic Director at the Playhouse, Alan directed the highly successful and critically acclaimed productions of Anything Goes, Always …Patsy Cline, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Besides working behind the scenes, Alan is also a performer and singer who has appeared on Broadway, on national tours and in many regional theatres. Wardrobe ̶ Valerie Parker, Yukon, OK Sound Technician ̶ David Brecheen, Oklahoma City, OK General Manager ̶ Steve Freeman, Pauls Valley, OK Photographer ̶ Anna Roberts, Pauls Valley, OK
LEAD ROLES, continued
SCENE BY SCENE
Samuel, the Pirate King’s Lieutenant Michael Hast ̶ Bass-Baritone Michael is new to the theatrical stage, although not to music. Encouraged by his parents, both musicians, he has been in several choirs and ensembles throughout his life. He also plays clarinet, alto saxophone, oboe and the accordion. The latter instrument and his rendition of Louie Louie helped him succeed in his marriage proposal to his wife. He believes his efforts in The Pirates of Penzance is a destiny he has long desired to pursue. He has grown to love Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta. “Pirates is hilarious,” he says. “The storyline is wonderfully silly, and the composition is fun. It's astounding to me that the humor and art of it holds up so well almost a century and a half later!” Michael resides in Edmond, OK.
ACT I
Ruth Mary Gowing — Alto
1. "Pour, oh Pour, the Pirate Sherry" (Samuel & Chorus of Pirates) The play opens with the pirates lounging on a secluded seashore, celebrating the birthday of their young apprentice, Frederic. 2. "When Frederic Was a Little Lad" (Ruth) As Frederic is out of his indentures (agreement to serve) on this day, he has decided to go off into civilization and become an upstanding citizen, which also means that it will be his duty to bring the pirates to justice. His nurse maid, Ruth, who has helped to raise Frederic, reveals the truth that it was due to her hard-of-hearing that she accidentally apprenticed him to a “pirate” instead of a similar-sounding and more respectable “pilot.”
3. "Oh, Better Far to Live and Die" (Pirate King & Chorus of Pirates) The Pirate King takes the news good-naturedly and wishes Frederic well, but refuses to turn himself in. He would rather live and die a pirate. 4. "Oh! False One, You Have Deceived Me" (Frederic & Ruth) Ruth wishes to travel on with Frederic, perhaps even become his future wife. As Frederic has never known any other women, he asks the middleaged Ruth if she is considered to be beautiful. Ruth swears that she is, but her story is found false as a gaggle of girls come hopping and skipping and singing down to the shore. Frederic turns on Ruth and accuses her of playing upon his innocence. 5. "Climbing Over Rocky Mountain" (Chorus of Girls) The group of girls are all young and beautiful and finally, for the first time in his life, Frederic recognizes the beauty of youth. 6. "Stop, Ladies, Pray" (Edith, Kate, Frederic & Chorus of Girls) Ruth runs off, upset and alone, but Frederic hides among the rocks to watch the girls approach. He decides that he'd better make his presence known. 7. "Oh, Is There not One Maiden Breast?" (Frederic & Chorus of Girls) Frederic tries to explain that his pirate attire does not indicate that he is a criminal, but that he indeed wishes to become an upstanding citizen. Continued
SCENES, continued 8. "Poor Wand'ring One" (Mabel & Chorus of Girls) The sisters, all shocked by this young pirate, take the proper course and reject him. However, one sister, Mabel, who arrives on the scene late, is taken with Frederic's noble goals.
9. "What Ought We to Do?" (Edith, Kate & Chorus of Girls) 10. "How Beautifully Blue the Sky" (Mabel, Frederic & Chorus of Girls)
11. "Stay, We Must not Lose Our Senses" ... "Here's a First-Rate Opportunity to Get Married with Impunity" (Frederic & Chorus of Girls & Pirates) For Frederic and Mabel, it is love at first sight. 12. "Hold, Monsters" (Mabel, Major-General, Samuel & Chorus) The lovely scene is interrupted by the arrival of the attacking pirates. 13. "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” (Major-General & Chorus) Just as all seems lost, the father of the girls arrives and happens to be a Major-General. 14. Finale Act I (Mabel, Kate, Edith, Ruth, Frederic, Samuel, King, Major-General & Chorus) • "Oh, Men of Dark and Dismal Fate" • "I’m Telling a Terrible Story" • "Hail, Poetry" • "Oh, Happy Day, with Joyous Glee" • "Pray Observe the Magnanimity" (& reprise of "Here's a First-Rate Opportunity") Knowing that, historically, the Pirates of Penzance do not attack orphans, the Major-General announces that he is an orphan in the hopes that the pirates will set his daughters free. The Pirates feel sorry for the MajorGeneral and agree to let the daughters go free and, for the moment, all are happy.
INTERMISSION (10 minutes)
LEAD ROLES, continued Frederic, the Pirate Apprentice Reese Phillips ̶ Tenor Reese is currently a junior at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in vocal performance. He has been involved in multiple productions at the university, including The Magic Flute and The Scarlett Letter. He has also been a featured soloist with OU Choirs and has performed with the Cimarron Opera in 2021. Sergeant of Police Ethan Eagle ̶ Baritone (shared role) This Moore High School junior fell in love with theater through his very musically talented family. Besides learning to play the piano, violin and guitar, he was also exposed to classic musicals like Hello, Dolly! Guys & Dolls, The Sound of Music and Carousel. While in high school, he has appeared in roles in six productions: Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys & Dolls, Mr. Bennett in Pride & Prejudice, the Guard in Ever After, the Bishop of Digne in Les Miserable, Teddy in Arsenic & Old Lace and Ewart Dunlap in The Music Man. Ethan hopes to study musical performance in college. Adino Morgan ̶ Baritone (shared role) This senior at Moore High School has been passionate about music since 7th grade. He eventually joined the high school choir. He’s been cast in 10 productions at Moore High School and has been recognized with honorable mentions as Mayor Shinn in The Music Man and as Sly Masterson in Guys & Dolls. He is thankful that Pirates has given him the opportunity to perform in an opera and a production outside of his school. His long-term goal is to be both an orchestral and choral composer. He plans to start this journey by studying music composition at Oklahoma State University starting this fall.
Edith, the Major-General’s Daughter Brianna-Jo Davis ̶ Soprano Brianna-Jo, a coloratura soprano, has been performing in honor show choirs since the age of 11. Her high school vocal accolades include All-State recognition and superior ratings at State Solo and Ensemble contests. Brianna-Jo was awarded multiple scholarships from East Central University, where she is a member of the Chorale and Showtime, while serving as the color-guard captain for the Pride of Tigerland. Her recent accomplishments include portraying Ermengarde in Hello, Dolly! and Joanne in Godspell. Kate, the Major-General’s Daughter Serinity Dial ̶ Soprano (shared role) Originally from Miami, OK, Serinity is in her junior year at Moore High School. Born into a musical family, music has always been a part of her life. She added to that a venture into theater in middle school to help her overcome shyness. Past roles include Young Eponine in Les Misérables, Little Jacqueline in Ever After, the Singing Telegram Girl in Clue the Musical, Tommy Djilas in The Music Man, Jane Bennet in Pride & Prejudice and General Cartwright in Guys & Dolls. She has enjoyed being a part of The Pirates of Penzance since it’s her first theatrical experience outside of high school. Her long-term plans are to continue performing for people and even teach theater arts in the future.
Holley Sanders ̶ Alto (shared role) Growing up in Pauls Valley, OK, Holley was active in choirs in school and church and was involved with community theater productions, musical programs and community programs. In college she furthered her musical education at the University of Oklahoma. She continues to love to sing for her community, her church and her family. She feels that singing in this production of The Pirates of Penzance gives her a chance to help expand others’ musical interest, too.
Act II 15. "Oh, Dry the Glist'ning Tear" (Mabel & Chorus of Girls) Act II opens at the Major-General's castle at night. The Major-General cannot sleep and is wandering the grounds, upset. His daughters come out to comfort him.
16. "Then, Frederic, Let Your Escort Lion-Hearted" (Frederic & the Major-General) 17. "When the Foeman Bares His Steel" (Mabel, Edith, Sergeant & Chorus of Policemen and Girls) The Major-General tells Frederic that he escaped from the pirates because he said he was an orphan, but it wasn't true. He fears the pirates will find out and come to attack him again. Frederic has organized the police force to overtake the pirates and feels the Major-General has nothing to fear, and that the pirates will be in jail before midnight. 18. "Now for the Pirates' Lair!" (Frederic, Ruth & the Pirate King) 19. "When you had left our pirate fold" [The "paradox" trio] (Ruth, Frederic & King) Frederic, readying himself for battle, receives a surprise visit from the Pirate King and Ruth. They come with unfortunate news: As Frederic was born on the 29th of February, his birthday only comes once every four years and therefore he is only five birthdays old. According to his indentures, he is to remain in the pirates' service until his 21st birthday. 20. "Away, Away! My Heart's on Fire!" (Ruth, Frederic & the Pirate King) Resigned to his duty, Frederic agrees to join the pirates in attacking the Major-General for falsely claiming himself as an orphan. 21. "All is Prepar'd; Your Gallant Crew Await You" (Mabel & Frederic) 22. "Stay, Frederic, Stay" ... "Ah, Leave Me not to Pine" ... "Oh, Here Is Love, and Here Is Truth" (Mabel & Frederic) Frederic swears to Mabel that he will return to her when he has completed his apprenticeship with the pirates (even though it will be 1940 before he truly turns 21). continued
LEAD ROLES, continued
LEAD ROLES
23. "No, I'll be Brave" ... "Though in Body and in Mind" (Reprise of "When the Foeman Bares His Steel") (Mabel, Sergeant & Chorus of Police)
The Pirate King Xander McRae ̶ Bass-Baritone Xander is a sophomore majoring in bassbaritone vocal performance and music education at the University of Oklahoma. He studies with Professor Mark McCrory. Xander has been featured twice in the OU Opera program: as the Sailor/Chorus in The Scarlet Letter by Lori Laitman, and as Papageno in an undergraduate production of The Magic Flute by Mozart.
23a. "Sergeant, Approach!" (Mabel, Sergeant of Police & Chorus of Police) The Police Sergeant must now lead his force alone. 24. "When a Felon's not Engaged in His Employment" (Sergeant & Chorus of Police) Upon hearing the pirates approach, the police force decides that the best measure of defense is to hide. 25. "A Rollicking Band of Pirates We" (Sergeant & Chorus of Pirates & Police) 26. "With Cat-like Tread, Upon Our Prey We Steal" (Samuel & Chorus of Pirates & Police) The pirates arrive on the scene ready for battle. 27. "Hush, Hush, not a Word!" (Frederic, the Pirate King, MajorGeneral & Choruses of Police & Pirates) 28. Finale, Act II (Ensemble) • "Sighing Softly to the River" • "Now What Is This, and What Is That?" • "You/We Triumph Now" • "Away with Them, and Place Them at the Bar!" • "Poor Wandering Ones!" Hearing the Major-General coming outside, the pirates decide to ambush him. The daughters reappear to find out why the Major-General is out of bed again. The pirates attack, and the police force drums up the courage to save the daughters. A battle ensues, but the pirates are cut short when the Sergeant charges the pirates in the name of the Queen. The pirates, feeling duty to the Queen beyond all other infractions of the law, give themselves up. Ruth steps forward to explain to the Sergeant that the pirates are all noblemen who have done wrong and deserve the chance to become upstanding citizens. Mabel and Frederic are reunited, and all the pirates become loyal subjects to the Queen.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Major-General Stanley Alan Marshall ̶ Baritone
Alan is an active performer and director of opera, musical theater and classical and modern plays. Recent credits include the role of Roger Debris in The Producers, Feste in Twelfth Night, Chorus in Antigone, and director for Man of La Mancha (East Central University) and Hamlet (Ada Shakespeare Company). Alan is also a church musician specializing in culturally relevant worship in both classical and contemporary musical styles. He currently serves at First United Methodist Church, Pauls Valley. Mabel, the Major-General’s Daughter Emily Pope ̶ Soprano Emily is a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance, and is studying with Professor Mark McCrory. This spring, she will be performing Papagena in an abridged outreach version of The Magic Flute at OU and in local schools. A few of her favorite past performances include the title role in Mary Poppins, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Continued