Ahoy stage
‘Pirates’ take over Rodey Theatre
W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan are known for their string of comedic operas. Their fifth, “The Pirates of Penzance,” premiered at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on Dec. 31, 1879.
And 140 years later, the play is popular as ever. It is being produced by Landmark Musicals.
Helming the production is Art Tedesco, who admits he wasn’t familiar with Gilbert and Sullivan’s work.
“It’s been a challenge, and that’s why I took on the task,” Tedesco says. “After getting to know the musical, I’m a lot more comfortable with helming the production. It was written almost 140 years ago and is very accessible to today’s standards in comedy. As I delved into it, it’s been nothing but a joy.”
“Pirates” follows the story of Frederic, who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates.
He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major General Stanley, and the two young people fall instantly in love.
Frederic soon learns, however, that he was born on Feb. 29, and so, technically, he has a birthday only every four years. His indenture specifies that he remain apprenticed to the pirates until his “21st birthday,” meaning that he must serve for another 63 years.
As he is bound by his own sense of duty, Frederic’s only solace is that Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully.
There are 26 cast members, and Tedesco says the ensemble or chorus, has a lot of stage time. Rehearsals began in early October for the Nov. 25 opening.
“We have 13 or 14 pirates, and some of those guys change into policemen,” he says. “It’s a big cast, so the challenge is even bigger. We’ve done very well in getting to this point. I started the cast off with specific things to work on. They’ve taken the direction and run with it.”
The production features a full orchestra conducted by Darby Fegan and a design by Dahl Delu, an Emmy Award-winning set designer. Choreography is done by Louis and Courtney Giannini.
This is Tedesco’s first time directing a production for Landmark Musicals. He’s worked with the company as an actor in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” He said the company approached him to direct “Pirates,” which he took a chance on.
He’s excited about getting “Pirates of Penzance” off the ground and will work with Landmark again.
“I’ll be directing ‘Ragtime’ in 2018,” he says. “I’ll go from ‘Pirates’ right into ‘Ragtime,’ which is another big production.”