DECEMBER 22, 2009 ISSUE
ASU Performing Arts Series Presents The Pirates of Penzance January 22
The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players will present the musical comedy The Pirates of Penzance on Friday, January 22, at 8:00 p.m. at Farthing Auditorium at ASU. Photo by Carol Rosegg
The rich sounds of full orchestra, chorus and vocal soloists will bring Sullivan’s score to stage during the Friday, January 22, performance of The Pirates of Penzance. Photo by Carol Rosegg
ASU’s 2009-10 Performing Arts Series welcomes New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players to the stage of Farthing Auditorium on Friday, January 22, to perform the classic musical comedy The Pirates of Penzance at 8:00 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and ASU faculty and staff and $10 for ASU students and all students 18 and under.
The Pirates of Penzance centers on the dilemma of the young and conscientious Frederic, who as a child was apprenticed to pirates until his 21st birthday. Upon release from his obligation, he plans to marry Mabel, the daughter of the delightfully stuffy Major-General Stanley.
Unfortunately, Frederic discovers that since he was born in a leap year on February 29, his 21st birthday won’t occur for another 63 years. Despite his moral objection to piracy, Frederic is honor-bound to remain a pirate until the distant date of 1940. Helping Frederic to deal with this unusual predicament are Mabel (who agrees to wait for him), Ruth, the pirate maid-of-all-work, Major-General Stanley and the brash Pirate King.
Productions by the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) are charged with contemporary energy while retaining respect for the traditional shows themselves, which is so important to Gilbert & Sullivan enthusiasts. This exuberant musical theater masterpiece is performed in its original format. The rich sounds of full orchestra, chorus and vocal soloists resonate with classic elegance and power while the company’s vibrancy, energy and contemporary sense of humor keep the show alive and exciting to a modern audience.
Now in its fourth decade of operation, NYGASP is America’s preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble. Under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Albert Bergeret, who has been hailed as “the leading custodian of the G&S classics” by New York magazine, NYGASP has created its own special niche in the cultural mosaic of New York City and the nation. Since its founding in 1974, the company has presented more than 2,000 performances of Gilbert & Sullivan masterpieces throughout the eastern United States and Canada, captivating audiences of all ages.
Bergeret’s vision for his company’s mission is clear: to build and maintain an ensemble of professional repertory singers, actors, dancers and musicians dedicated to bringing quality performances of the Gilbert & Sullivan masterpieces to as wide an audience as possible. Where possible, topical references from the 19th century are updated when the original intent would be lost on a modern musical theatre audience, but without disturbing the shape or scope of the material as written. Gilbert’s satire of human foibles and sophisticated wit remain intact, while Sullivan’s evocative scores, which need no revision at all, are given the full range of vocal and orchestral color for which they call.
The Performing Arts Series would be unable to present and publicize its wide range of programming without critical private funding sources, including a group of sponsors that are dedicated to promoting the arts in the region, including McDonald’s of Boone, Goodnight Brothers Country Ham, Nationwide Insurance—the B. Park Terrell Agency, Inc., Charter Media, The Mountain Times, All About Women magazine, Winston-Salem Journal, High Country Press, 100.7 MacFM, Mix 102.3, Mountain Television Network, WDAV 89.9, WFDD 88.5, WETS 89.5, WNCW 88.7 and WASURocks 90.5FM.
Hotel and restaurant sponsors include Westglow Resort and Spa and Rowland’s Restaurant, Chetola Resort, the Bob Timberlake Inn and the Manor House at Chetola, The Broyhill Inn and Appalachian Conference Center and the Jackson Dining Room, Appalachian Hospitality, The Best Cellar, the Bistro, Gamekeeper Restaurant, Louisiana Purchase, Makoto’s Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, Pepper’s and the Red Onion Café.
Ticket prices increase at the door on show nights. For tickets or more information, call the Farthing Auditorium Box Office at 828-262-4046 or click to www.pas.appstate.edu.
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