Bay Ridge

Narrows Community Theater brings ‘Pirates of Penzance’ to Bay Ridge

Concert features songs from Gilbert and Sullivan opera

February 15, 2018 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The cast of “The Pirates of Penzance in Concert” is busy rehearsing for the debut performance on March 2. Photo by Jennifer Specht
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The wistful melodies of Gilbert and Sullivan will be floating through the air as the Narrows Community Theater presents a special concert series featuring the songs in “The Pirates of Penzance” next month.

“The Pirates of Penzance in Concert” opens March 2 at Saint Patrick’s School Auditorium on Fourth Avenue and 97th Street.  

Performance schedule is as follows: Friday, March 2 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 3 at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m., Friday March 9 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 11 at 2 p.m.

The Narrows Community Theater (NCT) will donate the proceeds from the concert series to the theater group’s Betty Kash Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is named in memory of Betty Kash, a longtime member of NCT who worked to instill a love of theater in young people. The scholarship fund bearing her name offers two scholarships to students graduating from the eighth grade who are interested in the theater.

“The Pirates of Penzance” is a farce depicting pirates, policemen, young lovers and an eccentric major-general. The plot revolves around “Frederic,” an orphan who has mistakenly been sent to a band of pirates. After he disavows that way of life, he falls in love with a beautiful woman named “Mabel,” who is the daughter of Major General Stanley. Complications arise when it is learned that Major General Stanley has lied about being an orphan to prevent the kidnapping his beautiful daughters.

The comic opera had its original debut in New York City in 1879.

The cast members are: Dalles Wilie and Daren Liff as the “Pirate King,” Cliff Hesse and Keith McAuley as “Maj. Gen. Stanley,” Chris McCrewell as “Samuel,” Chazmond Peacock as “Frederic,” Patrick Nash as “The Sergeant,” Erica Twiss and Sarah Means as “Mabel,” Jeanne Holcomb as “Ruth” and Tyler VanTassel, Annika Krupczyn, Sarah Cappiello, Amelie Jacobs, Rose Walsh and Courtney McAyoy Lee as “Maj. Gen. Stanley’s daughters.”

Justin Ward Weber, the music director of “The Pirates of Penzance in Concert,” said the comic opera is a classic.

‘“Pirates of Penzance’ is a classic comedy treasure that still finds ways, even after more than 100 years, to keep theatergoers rolling with laughter. Patrons will be humming Gilbert and Sullivan’s catchy tunes by the end of the show and be no less than astonished with this versatile troupe of actors performing multiple characters and singing many challenging but impressive solos and ensemble numbers with an accomplished nine piece band,” Weber said in a statement.

Weber also had a few words of advice for the audience.

“Don’t be fooled by the title of ‘in concert’ for this production is just as engaging, comical and full of countless surprises as any fully staged production and we know you’ll enjoy every hilarious, tune-filled moment one laugh at a time,” he stated.

For reservations and more information call the Narrows Community Theater at 718-482-3173 or email [email protected]. Tickets can also be ordered online at www.NarrowsCommunityTheater.com.

 

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