Central presents 'The Pirates of Penzance'

For its spring musical, Central High School decided to go to the extreme -- in utter lighthearted theater. "The Pirates of Penzance" is so light and fluffy, even feathers are jealous.

Immediate impression: "The Pirates of Penzance" is either a really campy modern musical about Victorian-era pirates (and weak ones at that) or a Victorian-era comic operetta about pirates.

The truth is the latter, which explains some of the problem the operetta's comedy has translating into modern humor. But enough comedy translates to cull some laughs out of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic, despite the mists of time and an Atlantic Ocean of culture separating "The Pirates of Penzance" from an audience in the bustling 21st century in Cape Girardeau.

"Pirates" actually premiered way back in 1879, and just about everything in the short musical has Victorian England stamped all over it -- from pirates to maritime commanders to indentured servitude to constables with bobby clubs.

And like any Victorian comedy worth its heritage, the humor is subtle, sometimes stuffy. It evokes the image of men with monocles sitting in a drawing room debating the market for Indian goods and Zulu rituals.

The pirates in "Pirates" are really no more than good-natured roustabouts, guys and a girl (old woman, really) who just want to live a life of carefree pillaging at sea, never really wanting to hurt anyone. Among their ranks is Frederick (John Kipper), who is ending his contractual apprenticeship with the pirates as the operetta begins. He sets out on the world and finds love in the arms of the Major General's daughter, setting up a showdown between the pirates and the bobbies.

A bit of humor about the Major General (Cole Buerkle) -- he carries a frilly lace parasol! Now that's dated, and even wimpier than the pirates who don't attack people weaker than themselves.

Despite this musical's very long past, Cape Central wanted to take advantage of some of the technology in sound and lighting of the few decades that passed since "Pirates" was written. They hired a private lighting and audio company to supply the production with wireless mics and a bit of a light show.

Playing opposite Kipper is Sarah Goeke as Mabel, the fairest daughter of the Major General. Goeke's voice stands out -- it's strong and precise.

The "funniest performance" award would go to Blake Russell for his police sergeant, who comes off looking like a character out of "Yellow Submarine."

Later the lights create an atmosphere not unlike a musical number in "The Magical Mystery Tour." Coincidence?

The music to accompany the action sounds great. There's nothing like seeing a theater production with a good, live orchestra. And the costumes are convincing for pirates and young English maidens.

msanders@semissourian.com

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