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>> RIVERSIDE CHILDREN'S THEATER PRESENTS 'PIRATES OF PENZANCE JUNIOR.'
Children can get a fun introduction to opera at Riverside's 'Pirates of Penzance Jr.'Date published: 7/9/2009 BY COLLETTE CAPRARA FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR Ahoy, mateys! You're invited to join the escapades of a merry band (well, not all are so happy!) of (somewhat) raucous seafarers, as Riverside Children's Theater features "The Pirates of Penzance Junior" throughout the month. As the action opens, the pirates' apprentice, Frederic, has come of age and has decided that he'd rather find his own way in the world. (It's been fun and you guys are great, BUT ) Not only will the crew miss him but his nursemaid, Ruth, fears his entry into the world of other women. "This show's humor is thoroughly British," said Steve Thompson, who with his wife, Mary, have directed and coordinated Riverside's Children's Theater since its inception 10 years ago. "It's class-based, with people acting differently than the decorum that would be expected of their class." The comic opera was created by the London-born Gilbert and Sullivan and debuted in the late 1800s in the era of the British Music Hall performances (similar to America's vaudeville). The play features a crew of hapless pirates who are, in fact, noblemen; a young man who was apprenticed to them because his nursemaid misheard his father's wish that he become a "pilot" as "pirate," a team of constables who are high on bravado and low on bravery; and a Major-General who has up-to-date knowledge of everything except the military. When Frederic ventures out and encounters the eight beautiful daughters of the Major- General (including Mabel who will be his love) the pirates begin to grasp the lure of the land. They, too, are attracted to the maidens and, being proper gentlemen, offer to marry them on the spot. But the Major-General cannot envision these marauders as sons-in-law. Even Frederic's romance begins to unravel when he learns that his contract of apprenticeship bound him until his 21st birthday rather than his 21st year, and that, being born in a leap year on Feb. 29, he was indentured to the pirates for another 63 years. After a number of twists and turns in the plot, all is well in the end. The lovers are all paired and happy (including Ruth, who ends up with the police sergeant), and the pirates loyally return to their role as subjects of the queen.
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 7/9/2009
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