Savoyards old and new keep ‘Pirates’ fresh and funBY BARB VAN ATTA I once knew a woman who declined the offer of opera tickets because she'd “already seen Boheme” as if one goes to an opera for the plot. She came to mind as I sat with the woman who sang me Gilbert and Sullivan lullabies, and the 10 year-old who now hums G&S in the back seat of my car, waiting for the opening curtain of the Savoyards' production of The Pirates of Penzance. Doubtless, many of my fellow theatergoers on Thursday had seen one of the six previous Savoyard productions of Pirates over the past 45 years. Some, like me, had even performed in one (or two). But we weren't there for the plot (as charmingly crazy as it is). We were there to see what refreshing new staging veteran Savoyard director Wm. Clark Snyder would bring to the classic. (My particular favorites: the choreographed gestures of the women's chorus during How Beautifully Blue the Sky and the clever one-punch solution to the world's shortest fight scene.) We were there to discover what serendipitous blend of veterans and newbies had been compiled to interpret such gems as Poor Wandering One and Oh, Better Far to Live and Die (aka "I AM a Pirate King"). As a former active Savoyard (one never actually stops being a Savoyard, you know), I have participated in - or been witness to - productions with a dramatically uneven level of talent. It is both the curse and the charm of community theater. But no such problem this year. The major leads are well up to the task of the “opera” part of this operetta. Particularly strong are Steven Nanni as the conflicted Frederic, Stephen M. Dell'Aversano as the Pirate King and Andrea Gregori as Mabel. Dell'Aversano, no doubt, was a surprise to audience members who had not heard him sing before. Although, in dialogue and demeanor, his performance appeared to be channeling Johnny Depp's Capt Jack Sparrow, his singing voice is a rich, robust baritone with solid high notes. Nanni demonstrated a strong tenor and excellent diction but was a bit stiff on stage - not a bad thing for his character but noticeable nonetheless. And Gregori, despite some pitch and intonation problems, carried off the coloratura requirements of a G&S heroine. I particularly enjoyed how Frederic's ardor during Poor Wandering One was used to heat up Mabel's high notes.
Keeler, in turns cuddly and blustery, received a well-deserved encore for his sharply articulated I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General. Good thing too, because the encore lyrics were all prepared, featuring the Savoyards' trademark insertions of topical and local humor (Keep your ears tuned for references to Marla, Naima and day jobs in public broadcasting.) Richard Vollmer does not have the vocal depth of previous Savoyard police sergeants, but he warmed to his role and moved with great verve. Although not the biggest assemblage of choristers in Savoyard history, this crew was definitely among the most musical. They were given strong orchestral accompaniment under the able baton of Timothy Perry. Gene McAvoy's set design was attractive and well-served Snyder's staging. Dell'Aversano also served as costumier, designing beautiful and detailed outfits authentic down to the pantaloons seen when some of the maidens (including this paper's usual reviewer) find themselves flung over pirates' shoulders. Van Atta is assistant
features editor for the Press & Sun-
Bulletin. |
