• 2012 Season  :
  •   2012 Season
  • The Game's Afoot
  • ZORRO the Musical
  • Father of the Bride
  • The Sound of Music
  • 9 to 5 the Musical
  • Oliver!
  • A Christmas Carol 2012
  •  
•   Rentals  :
  • Costume and Set Rentals
  • Building Rentals
  • Custom Set Design
  •  
•   Donate  :
  • Donate Now!
  • Why Hale Centre Theatre
  • Individual
  • Foundation
  • Corporation
  • In-Kind
  • OtherWays to Help
  • Donor FAQ
  •  
•   Education  :
  • AT&T's Access Theatre Education
  • Experience Theatre Live Tours
  • Classes
  • Student Matinees
  • Summer Camps
  •  
•   Information  :
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Seating Chart
  • Box Office Information
  • Company Information
  • Audition Information
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Volunteer
  • Press
  • Backstage Tours
  • Authorized Log-In
  •  
•   Gallery

back to press

 

"THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE," through Sept. 25, Hale Centre Theatre, 801-984-9000, running time: 2 hours (one intermission)

The one thing a director must do when casting for Gilbert and Sullivan is to cast singers – first and foremost.

And that is just what director Marilyn Montgomery has done with the current production of "Pirates of Penzance" at Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City.

Filled top to bottom with very strong singers and musically directed by Jennifer Hohl, the lush G&S score soared on Saturday night.

And, with that set, the rest of the show falls nicely into place.

"Penzance" is one of the more popular of the duo's comic operas.

Young Fredrick, an apprentice to a gang of tenderhearted pirates, has just turned 21. On his 21st birthday, he decides to leave the gang for good. And he falls instantly in love with the beautiful Mabel.

But, true to G&S form, there must be a few quirky twists and turns. For instance, Frederick was born on Feb. 29. His pirate contract states he is free on his 21st birthday, NOT his 21st year. So according to contract, he is a slave of duty until he's 84 years old.

The story clips along filled with Gilbert's clever lyrics and Sullivan's run-filled music.

And it is easy to set sail with this Hale production, as the rowdy band of kind pirates kick off the show.

Tyler Oliphant's (Gary Sorenson, double cast) bass voice is wonderfully strong as the Pirate King and he's surrounded by a cast full of equally strong singers. Rhett Richins (Austin Dorman, double) and Becca Lemon (Camella Canete, double) as Fredrick and Mabel, are darling together, and both handle the difficult score with ease.

And the wonderful singing by the leads is backed up nicely in the ensemble numbers. The sisters are lovely, and the policemen number, choreographed by Montgomery, is a highlight.

Kacey Udy's set is perfect – just enough to set the scene but still allowing plenty of movement for the actors and unobstructed sight-lines for the audience. (With one impressive pirate ship thrown in for good measure).

Tamara Clayton's costumes, Trisha D. Ison's wigs and Spencer Brown's lighting – which capture both day and nighttime light – are all well-done.

Other than a few glitches with the unforgiving minus track and a scratchy mic here and there, Saturday night's show was very well-received. As I left the theater, I noticed more than one young girl dancing on the Hale sidewalks "calling" which sister they were, singing and dancing all the while.

This is a very solid offering of a musical theater staple. And the good news is, as the run progresses, the actors will settle into the show and will likely keep finding more moments for added comedy.

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back to top »