Pirates Seen At Colorado Mesa University

The Pirates were seen at Colorado Mesa University last night for the opening of a joint production between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Department of Music on the main stage at Robinson Theater in the Moss Performing Arts Center. As the 2012-2013 Theatre season continued with the operetta 'The Pirates of Penzance'

'The Pirates of Penzance', which originally opened in New York City on New Year's Eve 1879, is described as a "comic opera', two words that you would not usually think of together, but two words that accurately describe the CMU production. As I watched the Gilbert and Sullivan show for the first time, something in my past recalled many of the quick and light songs performed by the talented cast and student orchestra. 'Pirates' is the story of young Frederick, who upon reaching his 21st year of life, is leaving his accidental apprenticeship with a band of hearty and overly tenderhearted pirates. While he loves them each individually, he vows to wipe out the lot of the scourge. They, of course, wish him the best on his endeavors to kill them all and hold him no grudge, understanding his sense of duty that was so strong in Victorian times.  Frederick soon meets a bevvy of beauties and falls instantly for Mabel, who falls for him also. The Pirates return to see the lovely maidens and decide to take them as wives, until their father, Major General Stanley, mentions the pirates' one weakness, and the Pirate King makes them all honorary members of their band.

In Act Two, Frederick finds out an untruth and a truth, both of which cause him to alter his sense of "Duty" and return to the pirates and tell of Major Stanley's untruth. His only consolation is the his beloved Mabel will wait for him for 63 more years. You see, Frederick was apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday, and that happens to fall on February 29th, so he is only five and a quarter in age. The policemen that Frederick had rounded up to arrest the pirates are told by Mabel that they must do it alone, even though they may die. As the songs describe the officer's feelings, I again feel this aching familiarity of the songs, but where from? The policemen hear the pirate band coming and hide in the courtyard, as the pirates are quietly moving with "cat-like tread" as the song explains. Suddenly the sleepless Major General appears and now the pirates hide in the courtyard. As the Major General laments, with the backing of the pirates, policemen and his daughters, soon all are found together and a struggle ensues. The police sergeant demands that the pirates yield "in Queen Victoria's name" and the pirates, overcome with loyalty to their Queen, do so. All turns out in the end, although I won't tell you how here.

With a great cast of singers and actors directed by Jack Delmore, beautiful music performed by the student majors and conducted by Carlos Elias, wonderful scenery designed by David M. Cox, and a near full house on opening night, this production is going to be a show you do not want to miss. The show continues to run March 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9th at 7:30 p.m. each night. There is one 2:00 p.m. matinee on March 3rd. Get your tickets now, as the shows are sure to sell out. For more information go to the CMU Box Office here

Oh, and that aching feeling I have seen this before in pop culture, it goes back to 1982, watching HBO, when a movie starting the pretty Kristy McNichol and the shirtless Christopher Atkins starred in the parody/musical "The Pirate Movie"

Here is the song "I am the very model of a modern Major General" with pop reference you will not find in the original score to Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and others. So be sure to see CMU's production of 'The Pirates of Penzance'!